Reception & Café Assistant - Casual - Uckfield Leisure Centre

Freedom Leisure; Uckfield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A charitable leisure trust in Uckfield is looking for an enthusiastic Receptionist to join their front-of-house team. This role focuses on providing excellent customer service, serving beverages and snacks, and supporting team activities. Candidates should be passionate about customer service and comfortable in a busy environment. The position offers flexible working hours, training, and potential career growth within a community-focused organization. Pay is up to £12.21 per hour.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Training and development provided

Paid annual leave

Discounted Staff Membership

Potential permanent work opportunities

Opportunities to build an exciting career

Qualifications

• Experience in a customer-facing role preferred.
• Barista experience would be beneficial but training is available.
• Experience in leisure or community service settings is desirable.
• Hospitality or Retail experience delivering customer excellence.
• Comfortable handling cash/card payments.

Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for customers at reception.
• Handle enquiries, bookings, and memberships face-to-face, online, and by phone.
• Prepare and serve beverages and snacks in the café.
• Support team activities and maintain high standards at reception.
• Participate in ongoing professional development.

Skills

Passionate about customer service

Comfortable using till systems

Ability to multitask

Proactive and reliable team player

Job description

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: 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 - one smile at a time

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.

This is your place, this is where you matter.

About the Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic, approachable, and customer-focused Receptionist to join our front-of-house team. In this dual role, you’ll be the first point of contact for our customers – providing a warm welcome at reception and delivering excellent customer service. If you enjoy working with people and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:

Customer Service & Reception

• Welcome all visitors with a smile in a friendly and professional manner.
• Handle enquiries, bookings and memberships face-to-face, online and by phone.
• Accurately operate booking, till and membership systems.
• Provide up-to-date information on centre facilities, classes and promotions.
• Maintain a tidy, inviting reception area and ensure high standards of presentation.

Café & Retail Service

• Prepare and serve hot and cold drinks, including barista-style coffee.
• Offer a range of light snacks and pre-packaged food items.
• Always ensure compliance with food hygiene and health & safety standards.
• Replenish café stock and vending machines as required.
• Keep café spaces clean, well-organised and customer friendly.

Teamwork & Operational Support

• Work as part of a collaborative, multi-skilled team.
• Support the delivery of events and activities within the centre.
• Follow Freedom Leisure’s policies on safeguarding, health & safety and customer care.
• Participate in relevant training and ongoing professional development.

Please note: If a high volume of suitable applications is received, we may close this vacancy earlier than advertised. Early applications are encouraged.

Hours: Casual hours, as and when required.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about delivering outstanding customer service.
• Comfortable using till systems and handling cash/card payments.
• Barista experience is desirable but training can be provided.
• Able to multitask and remain calm in a busy environment.
• A proactive, flexible and reliable team player.

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Previous experience in a customer-facing role in leisure, fitness or community service settings.
• Hospitality or Retail experience delivering customer excellence

We want you to love coming to work, feeling healthy, happy and valued. That's why we've developed a benefits package with you in mind, so what can we offer you?

• Flexible working hours
• Training and development provided
• Paid annual leave
• Fun and busy environment
• Discounted Staff Membership
• Potential permanent work opportunities
• Opportunities to build an exciting career
• Rewarding role supporting health & fitness in the community

Closing date: 31st December 2025

Salary: up to £12.21 per hour