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Leisure centre manager

Alternative titles for this job include Sports centre manager, gym manager

Leisure centre managers oversee the day-to-day running of sports and leisure centres.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£36,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • a graduate training scheme

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • sports and leisure management
  • leisure studies
  • sports science
  • recreation management
  • business management

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could take a college course, which may help when looking for a trainee management position.

Relevant subjects include:

  • leisure management
  • sport and exercise science
  • coaching

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Leisure Team Member Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship and follow that up with a Duty Team Manager Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

These usually take between 1 and 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as an admin officer, swimming teacher or fitness coach and apply for a place on a management trainee scheme in a leisure centre. You could then work towards professional qualifications to become a manager.

Other Routes

You could join a graduate management trainee scheme with one of the large leisure companies, if you've got a degree.

On a scheme, you would work in different areas of the business while completing professional qualifications to become a manager.

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) for professional recognition, training and career development opportunities.

Further information

You can find more information about working in leisure management from CIMSPA.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • business management skills
  • leadership skills
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a leisure centre manager, you would:

  • plan staff and activity timetables
  • organise and promote sports clubs and lessons
  • prepare facilities for events and competitions
  • recruit, train and manage staff
  • control budgets and monitor performance targets for your centre
  • manage maintenance programmes and health and safety checks
  • maintain accurate records, such as memberships and bookings

Working environment

You could work at a fitness centre or in an office.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become an area or regional manager, with responsibility for the development of services among a group of leisure centres.

You could also work in:

  • sports development
  • health and fitness promotion
  • spa and hospitality management
  • visitor attraction management

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Leisure Team Member Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £11,778 a year Annually
  • Location: Madden Road Devonport, Plymouth

Leisure Assistant Apprentice

  • Wage: £14,428.05 a year Annually
  • Location: Stamford
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Courses In England

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