Leisure centre manager

Leisure centre manager job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Specific duties and the amount of customer or staff contact vary according to the size of employer: managers in larger organisations may be mostly office based, whereas those employed by smaller establishments often have frequent contact with customers, suppliers and employees.

Typical responsibilities of the job include:

• recruiting, training and supervising staff
• managing budgets
• organising fitness activities or programmes
• maintaining statistical and financial records
• developing new facilities
• promoting and marketing the business
• ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation
• maintaining customer service standards
• dealing with enquiries, complaints and emergencies.

Promotional opportunities are generally best for employees who are willing or able to change employment sector or job location.

Typical employers for leisure centre managers

• local authorities
• commercial organizations
• hotel and leisure groups
• educational institutions
• company fitness centres.

Vacancies attract strong competition. Opportunities are advertised in local, regional and national newspapers, Opportunities and specialist publications including Leisure Management, The Leisure Manager, Leisure Week and vacancy lists produced by ISPAL and ISRM. Several specialist recruitment agencies also advertise opportunities.

Qualifications and training required

Employers often prefer graduates with relevant qualifications in subjects such as management, sports science, recreation, health management, physiotherapy, or business or leisure studies.

A postgraduate qualification can be useful for graduates without appropriate degrees. It is essential to possess relevant experience, possibly gained via part-time or seasonal work, or by working as a fitness instructor, leisure centre attendant or recreation assistant.

Key skills for leisure centre managers

• commercial awareness
• physical fitness
• excellent problem solving skills
• interpersonal skills
• verbal communication skills.