Operations Manager - Full Time - Marina Leisure Centre

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.

We’re looking for a dynamic Operations Manager to lead a dedicated team, ensuring our leisure facilities run smoothly and continue to serve as a welcoming space for everyone in the community.

The Marina Centre provides an exciting range of activities for residents and visitors alike. Including a leisure pool with two slides, fun splash zone, clip and climb, impressive fitness suite and exercise studios and sports hall providing a wide range of activities. The centre also boasts an amazing café overlooking the beach, providing a focal point for the community.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone passionate about operational excellence, team development and customer service.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Oversee pool operations, building services and environmental standards.
• Lead planned and reactive maintenance, ensuring compliance and safety.
• Drive energy-saving initiatives and cost-effective service delivery.
• Manage recruitment, training, appraisals, rotas and performance reviews.
• Supervise lifeguards, receptionists, party hosts, sports activity teams, cleaners and duty managers.
• Take ownership of areas including reception, climbing wall, Inflatazone, sports hall, retail shop and plant rooms.
• Ensure high standards in cleaning, customer service and health & safety.
• Act as Duty Manager when required and contribute to continuous improvement across the centre.

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 a week, Monday to Sunday (Rota basis)

 Who We’re Looking For

• A confident leader with strong people management skills.
• Experience in wet and dry leisure facilities and customer-focused environments.
• Knowledge of facilities management, health & safety and technical operations.
• Excellent communication, time management and organisational skills.
• Flexible, proactive and committed to delivering high standards.

Desirable

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or equivalent in leisure, business or facilities management.
• Pool Plant Operators Certificate.
• IOSH/NEBOSH Health & Safety qualifications.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in leisure operations.

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
• 24/7 / 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

Closing date: 26th September 2025

Salary: up to £28,136 per annum