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, such as swimming pools, an athletics track and restaurants.

Leisure centre managers have a wide range of duties, including overseeing the day-to-day running of the centre and devising activity programmes. They also manage and train the staff, and have lots of general duties such as promoting the centre, attracting new members and dealing with complaints.

Leisure centre managers usually work 37 to 40 hours a week. The hours can be irregular and may include early mornings, evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Although they spend a lot of time in an office, managers need to get around their centres to meet customers and talk to staff. They may sometimes work outdoors.

Salaries range from around £12,000 to over £35,000 a year.

A leisure centre manager should:

• have organisational, administrative and planning skills
• be good at decision making
• have excellent communication and presentation skills
• have an interest in promoting sport and fitness.

The UK has about 5,000 leisure centres, around 1,500 of which are managed by local authorities. In all, they employ about 11,500 managers. There are leisure centres in most towns and cities across the UK.

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.

The Diploma in sport and active leisure (available from September 2010) may be relevant and, in addition, Apprenticeships in active leisure and learning may be available.

Non-graduates often enter the work at a lower level and work towards professional qualifications while in employment. There is no upper age limit.

Graduates may be able to train with one of the larger private sector employers.

People without a degree can train on the job and study for relevant qualifications such as City & Guilds, NVQs, BTEC National and Higher National Certificate/Diploma in sport and leisure, or a degree in a leisure management subject.

Larger local authorities and companies usually have the best defined promotion paths. With more experience, it may be possible to move on to manage a group of leisure centres as an area or regional manager, or become head of leisure services within a local authority. People with experience in the industry may be able to transfer into business development or luxury club management, while other career paths include moving into sport development or administration.

Further details