General Manager - Full Time - Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub

Job description

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.

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 are looking for a General Manager to look after Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub, located in Podsmead area of Gloucester city! It features modern studios, versatile multi-use spaces, and a full-size 3G pitch. Working in partnership with the Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society to ensure these fantastic facilities serve as a central hub for the local community.

We are looking for a Manager with proven entrepreneurial ability, financial acumen, who has a passion for high standards and can demonstrate a history of taking ownership and delivering results. You will have excellent commercial awareness which you can translate into the successful running of popular Community Hub. The ability to drive sales/income and ability to manage expenditure are key qualities for this role. Other key qualities would be the ability to lead, motivate and support the centre team and to be able to work with internal and external customers/stakeholders/local community.

Your responsibilities will be varied and include: - Business & Sales Management - Accountability for the business, budgetary and cost centre performance across the whole Hub. Ensuring that sales are driven forward, developing the business plan and leading colleagues to achieve key performance targets. - Operational Management – leading the team to ensure excellent operational standards and record keeping is in place. Working with the team to provide all activities in a safe and welcoming environment. - People Management – Managing and recruiting a team where necessary, to deliver an exciting leisure offering to the highest standards, so that the service delivers the financial performance in line with the bid proposal, and deliver our services in a way to engage with the whole community. Provide the necessary support and leadership to colleagues for ongoing management and development of all.

You should have the necessary skills and experience to lead the Hub and engage the local community. The person we are looking for will have the ability to manage a number of priorities at the same time; will be able to build, lead and motivate colleagues and have a passion for the leisure and cultural services and events. The ability to deliver on tight deadlines under pressure is absolutely essential.

We want our employees and customers to have the best experience possible. So, if this sounds like you, we want to hear from you.

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

Requirements - To develop and grow the membership, activity and attendance at the site - To manage and be responsible for the centre’s income and expenditure - To be the lead contact at site and report to the Area Manager - To ensure that Freedom Leisure Policies, Procedures and Processes are fully adhered to - To ensure the relevant site audits processes are managed - To produce reports on various areas of the centre's operation and KPI’s - At least 3 years’ experience in leisure facilities - Experience of identifying staff training and development requirements and identifying development opportunities - A passion for the industry demonstrated through continuous professional development.

Benefits

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? - Company pension - Cycle-to-work and car leasing tax-efficient schemes - Discounted staff membership (including family members) - Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential, independent and professional counselling - Financial advice - Incremental annual leave entitlement - My Staff Shop employee benefits scheme, offering discounts on cinema tickets, travel, high street e-vouchers, gift cards, days out, leisure activities and everyday spending - Fully funded training and development, with career progression opportunities - Various insurance and savings schemes

Closing Date: 2nd October 2026

Salary: up to £32,500 per annum

Freedom Leisure is proud to be an equal opportunities employer.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.