Operations Manager - Swimming & Fitness

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.

In this senior management role, you will take the lead on health & safety, facility management, cleaning and quality management of the whole centre, as well as managing the poolside operation including the staff team. You will be part of the Centre Management team and contribute to the overall direction of the centre. All management roles are part of the shift rota and will require working duty‑manager shifts, including weekends and evenings.

Hours:

40 hours a week, Monday to Sunday

• Strong people management skills
• Experience of problem solving, organisational, customer service and staff management
• Understanding of identifying staff training and development requirements and opportunities
• High awareness of industry developments, new initiatives, trends and research
• Commercial awareness that translates into contributing to a successful and financially viable operation
• Passion for the industry demonstrated through continuous professional development
• Good computer skills and understanding of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Team‑oriented approach, able to work across organisation boundaries and supportive of staff and colleagues
• Excellent time‑management skills – able to deal with a number of priorities at once
• Good communication skills
• Ability to work flexibly with a level of autonomy and decision‑making confidence
• Current Pool Plant Operators Certificate (desirable)
• NPLQ Qualification (desirable)

• My Staff Shop, our own staff benefit scheme – discounts on cinema tickets, travel bookings, high‑street e‑vouchers, gift cards, days out, leisure activities and daily spending
• Discounted staff membership (including family members)
• Incremental holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 confidential, independent and professional counselling
• Company pension
• Various insurance and savings schemes
• Financial advice
• Cycle‑to‑work and car leasing tax‑efficient schemes (salaried staff only, depending on earnings)
• Fully funded training and career progression opportunities in a team‑working environment supporting your local community to improve lives through leisure

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.

Closing date: 5th March 2026

Salary: up to £29,094 per annum