Leisure Centre General Manager (Bexley)

Covering Bexley Crook Log, Erith & Sidcup

Salary: £55,000 per annum, plus bonus

40 hours per week, Full-Time, Permanent

The Opportunity

Are you a strategic and commercially-minded leisure leader ready to make a tangible impact on community health?

Lex Leisure, is seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead our three key leisure centres in the London Borough of Bexley: Crook Log, Erith, and Sidcup.

This is a senior, multi-site leadership role where you will be responsible for inspiring your teams, driving commercial success, and delivering outstanding services. You will be the pivotal figure in managing our vital local authority partnership, ensuring these three cornerstone facilities thrive as hubs for community well-being.

If you are an experienced leisure professional with a passion for operational excellence, this is a fantastic opportunity to take the next step in your career.

About The Role

As the General Manager, you will have full strategic and financial accountability for the Bexley sites. You will be a visible leader, splitting your time across the three sites to support your teams and champion the highest standards.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Leadership: Developing and executing a unified strategy for the sites, ensuring all three centres meet and exceed their commercial and community-impact targets.
• Financial Management: Taking full P&L accountability, meticulously managing budgets, driving revenue (particularly membership, swim schools, and secondary spend), and controlling costs.
• Operational Excellence: Guaranteeing the highest standards of operation, customer service, cleanliness, and health & safety across all facilities, including fitness studios, sports halls, and pool areas.
• Team Development: Leading, mentoring, and inspiring your Centre Managers and wider teams. You will foster a positive, high-performance culture focused on staff development and exceptional service.
• Stakeholder Management: Acting as the key liaison for Lex Leisure, building and maintaining a strong, collaborative relationship with our partners at Bexley Council and other community stakeholders.
• New Business: Be technically able and play a proactive role in securing new business.

About You

We are looking for a proven leader from the leisure industry. You must be adept at managing the commercial demands of a multi-site operation.

Essential Requirements:

• Senior Leisure Management: Significant experience in a senior role (e.g., General Manager, Centre Manager of a large site, General Manager) within the leisure industry.
• Commercial Acumen: A proven track record of managing large budgets, full P&L responsibility, and successfully driving revenue growth.
• Inspirational Leadership: Demonstrable experience in leading, motivating, and developing multi-disciplinary teams to achieve ambitious goals.
• Operational Expertise: A deep understanding of health and safety, quality management, and operational standards within a busy leisure environment.
• Stakeholder Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and manage relationships with partners, clients, and the public.

Desirable Experience:

• Swimming Pool Operations: We are particularly interested in candidates with strong experience managing facilities with swimming pools, including an understanding of programming (e.g., swim schools) and pool plant operations.

• PFI Contract Management: Experience working within a PFI (Private Finance Initiative) contract or a similar complex local authority partnership is highly advantageous.

Why Join Lex Leisure?

• Competitive Salary: £55,000 per annum.

• Autonomy & Impact: This is a senior strategic role where you will have the autonomy to shape the success of your sites.

• Benefits Package: Incremental annual leave, Free gym membership for you and a nominated person, Employee discount portal, Cycle to Work scheme, Company sick pay, Career progression, Training and development

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a Cover Letter outlining why you are the ideal candidate for this role, paying close attention to the desirable experience requested.

Closing Date: 30 November 2025

Lex Leisure is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check