General Manager - Full Time - Weldon Wellbeing Pavilion

If you feel driven to inspire people to be more active, improve their wellbeing and would like a job that will make a real difference to local people’s lives then Freedom Leisure is the place for you!

We are a not-for-profit leisure trust with a strong purpose and commitment to support our local communities and hard-to-reach groups encouraging them to become more active, contributing to improved lives. From swimming lessons to walking football and everything in between, we are driven to provide fun and welcoming sessions to support the whole community to be active, both within our leisure centres and in the local community.

About the Weldon Wellbeing Pavilion

The Weldon Wellbeing Pavilion is a brand new purpose built community leisure and wellbeing hub opening in early 2026. The Pavilion aims to improve lives through leisure by providing inclusive, affordable and sustainable activity spaces for the entire community.

Developed in partnership with Ebbsfleet Garden City Trust, the Pavilion will be a vibrant local centre supporting health, fitness, sport and community events.

Facilities You’ll Be Part Of

• Our team will operate a wide range of brand new facilities including:
• A fully equipped gym
• Multi use fitness studio for classes and group exercise
• Community hall (capacity up to 200 people) for sports & private hire
• 3G football pitch and tennis court
• Changing rooms and a fully accessible Changing Places facility
• On site café, breakout spaces & reception area

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape a new community hub from the ground up. We are looking for a General Manager to look after the new Weldon Wellbeing Pavilion.

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 leisure centres. 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 centre. 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 centre 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

• 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

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
• 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 supporting your local community to improve lives through leisure.

Closing date: 20th March 2026

Salary: up to £27,201 per annum