Leisure Centre Manager

Leisure centre managers are responsible for the overall running of a leisure centre. Their work involves encouraging people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to use the facilities, and making sure they have a safe and enjoyable experience. Centres vary in size from those containing simply a small sports hall, to those with a wide range of facilities, including:

swimming and leisure pools
squash courts
an outdoor sports area
an athletics track
a gym
a ski slope
an ice rink
a tenpin bowling alley
an indoor soft play area
a restaurant and bar.

Some centres are run by local authorities and charitable trusts; others by private companies, often on contract with local authorities. Duties are wide ranging and can be split into three broad areas:

Managing the centre, which involves:

running the centre on a day-to-day basis
devising activity programmes
marketing the centre
making sure the building is clean and in a good state of repair
making sure health and safety regulations are followed.

Managing staff, which involves:

arranging staff rotas
recruiting, supervising and training staff.

General duties, which cover:

maximising income generation and managing budgets
attending regular meetings with management teams and/or the centre’s owners
visiting local schools and other organisations to promote the facilities
attracting new members
dealing with complaints
running classes.

Hours and environment

Leisure centre managers usually work 37 to 40 hours a week. However, hours can be irregular and may include early mornings, evenings, weekends and bank holidays, so they need to be flexible. They also have to be at the centre for special events, emergencies, or to supervise or cover for absent staff.

In larger centres, where there is a bigger management team, hours are more regular.

They may sometimes work outdoors, depending on the facilities offered by the centre.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.

An assistant manager may start on around €18,000 to €20,000 a year.
A new leisure centre manager may earn €25,000 to €35,000.
Experienced managers in senior positions at large centres may earn over €45,000.

Salaries also depend on the size of the centre and the specific job. Managers may have the use of a company vehicle, and private clubs may offer bonuses based on recruiting new members.

Skills and personal qualities

A leisure centre manager should:

have organisational, administrative and planning skills
be enthusiastic
be good at decision making
have excellent communication and presentation skills
have good interpersonal skills for dealing with staff and customers
be able to manage budgets
have IT skills
have marketing skills to promote the centre
be able to work well in a team
be able to cope with unexpected situations.

Interests

It is important to:

have an interest in promoting sport and fitness
enjoy working with people
be interested in keeping up to date with industry trends.

Entry routes

Most leisure centre managers have professional qualifications or degrees, and at least five years’ relevant experience. Increasingly, a qualification related to the industry is preferred.

Non-graduates often enter the work at a lower level such as a lifeguard, leisure centre assistant or trainee manager, and work towards professional qualifications while in employment.

The graduate and non-graduate routes are equally acceptable as entry to management positions.