Operations Manager - Full Time - King Alfred Leisure Centre

Freedom Leisure; Hove; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK leisure trust is seeking an Operations Manager in Hove. The ideal candidate will possess strong people management skills, experience in a similar role, and a passion for the industry. This temporary role offers 37 hours a week on a rota basis. Competitive salary and benefits include discounts, incremental holidays, and fully-funded training.

Benefits

Employee benefit scheme with discounts

Discounted Staff membership

Incremental holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Company pension

Fully funded training

Qualifications

• Experience of problem solving, organizational, customer service and staff management.
• Understanding of identifying staff training and development requirements.
• High awareness of industry developments and trends.
• Good computer skills including Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team and bring new ideas to enhance operations.
• Ensure a team-oriented approach while managing facilities.
• Communicate effectively both internally and externally.

Skills

Strong people management skills

Problem solving

Customer service

Staff management

Good communication skills

Excellent time management

Organizational skills

Commercial awareness

Team orientated approach

Flexibility and autonomy

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Overview

Join the Energy at Freedom Leisure – Do Good Feel Good!

At Freedom Leisure, we’re all about positive vibes, great people and making a real impact. Yes, we run leisure and cultural facilities, gyms, and swimming pools—but at the heart of it all, it’s our people who make the difference.

As one of the UK’s leading charitable leisure trusts, we’re proud of our mission of Improving Lives Through Leisure. We’re here to help communities live healthier, happier lives by making our centres welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to everyone - because everyone deserves to feel good. We’re all about delivering amazing customer service with a smile—every single day. We create spaces where people feel at home, supported, and inspired.

If you’re passionate about helping others and love creating great experiences, you’ll feel right at home with us. You don’t need to be an expert to get started - we’ll give you all the training and support you need. With over 130 centres across England and Wales, there’s loads of room to grow. Many of our team have built amazing careers doing what they love, helping customers day-to-day and making people feel good.

We’re proud to be a workplace where everyone is welcome, valued, and supported to thrive—because when our team reflects the communities we serve, we all grow stronger together.

Role and responsibilities

We are looking for an Operations Manager to join our friendly and professional team. We are looking for someone who has a good awareness of the industry, someone who is able to bring new and exciting ideas to the team. Ideally you will have good interpersonal skills, able to negotiate and persuade people, both internally and externally. Working and leading the team, you must have a team orientated approach to work. Ideally coming from a similar role, you will have experience of wet and dry facilities.

In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.

Hours: 37 hours a week, Monday to Sunday (Rota basis)

Please Note: This is a temporary role of up to 6 months

Qualifications

• Strong people management skills
• Experience of problem solving, organizational, customer service and staff management
• An understanding of identifying staff training and development requirements and identifying development opportunities
• A high awareness of industry developments, new initiatives, trends and research
• Commercial awareness which translates into contributing to a successful and financially viable operation
• A passion for the industry demonstrated through continuous professional development
• Good computer skills and understanding including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook
• Team orientated approach, able to work across organisation boundaries and demonstrate interest and be supportive of the work of staff and colleagues
• Excellent time management skills - able to deal with a number of priorities at once
• Good communication skills
• To be able to work flexibly with a level of autonomy and decision making confidence

• Current Pool Plant Operators Certificate (Desirable)
• NPLQ Qualification (Desirable)

Benefits

• My Staff Shop, our very own staff benefit scheme, gives employees access to a great range of benefits. Get discounts on cinema tickets, travel bookings, high street e-vouchers, gift cards, days out, leisure activities and your day to day spending.
• Discounted Staff membership (including family members)
• Incremental holidays
• 24/7 / Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 confidential, independent and professional counselling.
• Company pension
• Various insurance and saving schemes
• Financial advice
• Cycle-to-work and Car Leasing tax-efficient schemes (salaried staff only, depending on earnings).
• All this as well as fully funded training and career progression opportunities in a team working environment

Closing date: 7th November 2025

Salary: up to £26,796 per annum