Senior Operations Manager

Organisation Leisure United Salary 60k Location Field‑based across multiple sites within the North of England. Contract type Permanent Closing date 12 February 2026 Interview date 27 February 2026

• STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP & OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE:
  Deliver high‑quality facilities. Ensure a safe, inclusive, and premium experience for all users across your hub portfolio. Lead, support, and hold General, Dual site and Cluster Managers accountable for consistent service delivery and facility standards. Maintain outstanding facility standards and ensure consistent operational excellence, driving external validation through audit, compliance, and quality assurance processes. Develop, in conjunction with the COO, and support delivery of an operational business plan for all hubs in your portfolio aligned to organisational strategy.
  
  Conduct both announced and unannounced audits to drive service standards across all business areas. Monitor customer feedback systems and lead service‑improvement initiatives across your area. Contribute to strategic planning, business development, and service innovation. Promote and implement environmentally sustainable practices across operations in collaboration with the Head of Facilities and wider operational teams.
• BOARD, SMT & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT:
  Report regularly to the Senior Management Team (SMT) on business performance. Develop and implement both commercial and social outcomes in line with Leisure United’s strategic direction. Work collaboratively with the wider Development Team to align operations with organisational priorities. Engage proactively with Board‑level expectations and contribute to strategic discussions.
• Commercial Performance & Financial Management:
  Drive commercial success and operational efficiency to create financially resilient hubs across your area, including memberships, programmes, secondary spend, and pricing strategies. Develop and monitor all operational budgets, income targets, and cost controls. Share best practice across your management teams. Track and manage KPIs through site scorecards to drive performance and accountability.

• ESSENTIAL
  
  EXPERIENCE:
  
  A minimum of ten years’ experience of managing in a leisure centre environment, multi site environment. Experience working in or with a charitable leisure trust or community-based organisation. Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify and develop new business opportunities. Experience and evidence of managing staff. Experience of direct budget management and reporting. Ability to work within and develop a team environment.
  
  Evidence of excellent customer care standards. Development and maintenance of partnerships and multi-agency working. Evidence of having taken Health & Safety responsibility. Experience devising and implementing business plans and management of business KPIs. Proven success of managing and operating leisure and sports facilities including strategy setting, innovation, improvement, and change management. Working with a wide range of partners to promote participation in sport and physical activity.
  
  Experience with multiple CRM’s, POS systems, or facility management systems. Experience of managing safeguarding systems.
• ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE &
  
  SKILLS:
  
  Ability to motivate and lead others. Excellent interpersonal skills. Customer orientated. Ability to manage priorities and time effectively. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to plan, organise, and co-ordinate effectively. Ability to deal with conflict and difficult people under pressure. Up to date knowledge of Health and Safety and the ability to undertake Risk Assessments. Numerate and IT literate, including Microsoft Office.
• PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:
  Strategic, visionary and values-driven leader. Collaborative, approachable and inspiring with a focus on enabling others. Confident, resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced and growing environment. Committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. Diplomatic and trusted, with high levels of integrity and professional credibility. Passionate about supporting people and communities to thrive.
• EDUCATION & TRAINING:
  Level 5 qualification and working towards further First Aid Certificate.

To be able to work independently and use own initiative. To be able to lead, develop and inspire teams. To be able to make sound decisions under pressure. Ability to respond, manage and control emergency situations efficiently and effectively, in line with agreed procedures, training and protocols. To maintain a professional, competent, and personable demeanor. Strong commitment to equality and diversity.

Ability to work effectively with the public while maintaining a strong commitment to safeguarding and the safety of children, the young people and vulnerable adults. Knowledge of commercial catering operations.