Location
London

Hours
Shift work including evenings and weekends

Salary
£51,663 per annum

About the Role
Southwark is one of London’s most vibrant boroughs – a place where history meets innovation. As a council, we are passionate about making Southwark a place that people are proud to call home. Our vision is a fairer future for all, keeping residents at the heart of everything we do.

By joining our Leisure Division, you will be part of a team that provides high-quality, accessible and inclusive leisure services that support health, wellbeing and social cohesion across our diverse communities. You’ll be working in an organisation that values openness, accountability, and equality, and you’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of our residents.

As General Manager, you will be responsible for the effective, efficient and safe operation of our leisure centres. You will lead and motivate a team to deliver exceptional customer experiences, meet ambitious financial and operational targets, and maintain the highest standards of safety, cleanliness and service delivery.

Your key responsibilities will include:
- Leading daily operations to ensure centres run smoothly and meet council objectives.
- Maintaining a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for all customers.
- Managing and monitoring budgets, analysing financial performance, and driving efficiencies.
- Developing business plans and programmes that balance community needs with financial viability.
- Leading, mentoring and developing staff to maximise team performance.
- Handling customer feedback and complaints professionally and promptly.
- Promoting continuous improvement and supporting the achievement of accreditations such as Quest.
- Ensuring compliance with all policies, procedures and health & safety standards.

This is a dynamic and hands-on role, requiring excellent leadership, organisational and commercial skills, as well as a strong commitment to customer service.

If you are ready to lead by example, deliver results and make a meaningful impact in Southwark, we would like to hear from you.

Experience
Significant experience managing the day-to-day operations of leisure or sports facilities. Proven track record of leading and developing high-performing teams. Strong understanding of leisure centre operations, health and safety requirements, and performance management. Experience using booking systems and data reporting tools to track and improve performance. Confident managing budgets and interpreting financial information to ensure services remain efficient and sustainable.

About you
Dynamic leader who can inspire teams and deliver outstanding customer experiences. Passionate about health, wellbeing, and helping people get the most out of leisure. Committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for a diverse community. Excellent communication skills to build strong relationships with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders. Commercially aware with the ability to prioritise competing demands and delegate responsibilities effectively. Proactive, solutions-focused and committed to continuous improvement. Flexible to work shifts including evenings and weekends. Subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Qualifications
Not explicitly stated, but relevant qualifications in leisure management or related fields would be advantageous.