Do you want to make a difference within your local community, supporting people to improve their lives through leisure?

If you feel driven to inspire people to be more active, improve their wellbeing and would like a job that will make a real difference to local people’s lives then Freedom Leisure is the place for you!

We are a not-for-profit leisure trust with we have a strong purpose and commitment to support our local communities and hard-to-reach groups encouraging them to become more active, contributing to improved lives. From Swimming lessons, to walking football and everything in-between we are driven to provide fun and welcoming sessions to support the whole community to be active, both within our leisure centres and in the local community.

We are looking for a Multi-Site General Manager to join our team. The role will provide inspirational leadership along with business and community focus, delivering the Freedom leisure business plan and ethos across the leisure facilities, in the Arun District.

We are looking for a Manager with proven entrepreneurial ability, financial acumen, who has a passion for high standards and can demonstrate a history of taking ownership and delivering results. You will have excellent commercial awareness which you can translate into the successful running of popular Leisure Centres. The ability to drive sales/income and ability to manage expenditure are key qualities for this role. Other key qualities would be the ability to lead, motivate and support the centre team and to be able to work with internal and external customers/stakeholders/local community.

Your responsibilities will be varied and include:

•  Business & Sales Management - Accountability for the business, budgetary and cost centre performance across both Centres. Ensuring that sales are driven forward, developing the business plan and leading colleagues to achieve key performance targets.
•  Operational Management – Leading the team to ensure excellent operational standards and record keeping is in place. Working with the team to provide all activities in a safe and welcoming environment.
•  People Management – Managing and recruiting a team where necessary, to deliver an exciting leisure offering to the highest standards, so that the service delivers the financial performance in line with the bid proposal, and deliver our services in a way to engage with the whole community. Provide the necessary support and leadership to colleagues for ongoing management and development of all.

You should have the necessary skills and experience to lead both Centres and engage with the local community. The person we are looking for will have the ability to manage a number of priorities at the same time; will be able to build, lead and motivate colleagues and have a passion for the leisure and cultural services and events. The ability to deliver on tight deadlines under pressure is absolutely essential.

We want our employees and customers to have the best experience possible. So, if this sounds like you, we want to hear from you.

This role will be based between Littlehampton Wave & The Windmill Entertainment Centre, you will need to be able to travel across these sites.

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 per week, Monday - Sunday

• Experience of problem solving, customer service and staff management
• At least three years in an operation management (or equivalent) role in a leisure environment
• A high awareness of industry developments, new activities, trends and research
• An ability to lead and motivate a staff team
• Commercial awareness which translates into a successful and financially viable operation
• IT skills including the ability to produce and interpret reports and data
• Communication skills, demonstrated both verbally and in writing
• Time management skills - able to deal with a number of priorities at once
• Ability to present information confidently to individuals and groups
• Strong people management skills
• Team orientated approach, able to work across organisation boundaries, demonstrate interest and be supportive of the work of staff and colleagues
• To be able to work flexibly with a good level of autonomy
• Mobility to travel across sites

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?

• 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
• 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 supporting your local community to improve lives through leisure

Closing Date: 25th April 2025

Salary: Up to £38,660 per annum