Area Manager - Guildford

An outstanding opportunity has arisen to join our team at Freedom Leisure, one of the fastest growing and successful leisure and cultural trusts in the UK. We are seeking an experienced and inspirational Area Manager to lead our largest contract in Guildford.

The contract consists of Guildford Spectrum, Guildford Lido and Ash Manor Sports Centre. The contract turnover is in excess of £12m per year making this the largest contract for Freedom Leisure.

Guildford Spectrum is often recognised and the best leisure facility in the country and offers far more than most leisure centres with full size ice rink, athletics track, 10 court sports hall, large leisure water and tank pool along with diving as well as a 32 lane ten pin bowling centre and fitness facilities to offer. Guildford Lido is equally as impressive and often ranks in the top ten list of outdoor pools in the UK.

This is a unique opportunity as the successful candidate will be required to build on the successful operation since 2011 and work with Guildford Borough Council on the possible new facility or on improvements to the existing site at Guildford Spectrum.

Your responsibilities will be varied and include:

• Business & Sales Management - Accountability for the business, budgetary and cost centre performance across sites in your area. Ensuring that sales are driven forward, developing the business plan and leading a staff team to achieve key performance targets.
• Operational Management - Ensuring the day to day management and running of the leisure services is of the highest standard. In this instance you will need to recruit and train a complete staff team to re-open a fully refurbished leisure centre.
• People Management - Ensuring that work standards and performance are at the highest level through the effective recruitment, day to day leadership, management and development of all staff.
• Client Management – Freedom Leisure operate leisure contracts on behalf of local authority clients, as such you will develop outstanding working relationships and liaise regularly with the client to ensure delivery of their objectives and compliance with the contract.

You may already be an Area Manager or an experienced leader in a public / private sector organisation looking for the next step. The person we are looking for will have the ability to manage a number of priorities at the same time; will be able to lead and motivate staff and have a passion for the leisure and cultural services and events. In addition to this you will demonstrate the following in your application:

Requirements

• Previous experience in a senior operational leisure or cultural role
• Experience of leading a multi-site operation
• Outstanding commercial awareness with experience of managing and delivering sales targets and income performance
• Excellent IT skills to be able to produce and interpret reports and data.
• Awareness of industry developments and trends
• Problem solving, project management, customer service and staff management experience
• Track record of building and managing client relations

Benefits

• 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)
• All this as well as fully funded training and career progression opportunities in a team working environment

Salary: £50,000pa

Closing date: 2nd June 2021