Job Description

Join the Energy at Freedom Leisure – Do Good Feel Good!

At Freedom Leisure, we’re all about positive vibes, great people and making a real impact. Yes, we run leisure and cultural facilities, gyms, and swimming pools - but at the heart of it all, it’s our people who make the difference.

As one of the UK’s leading charitable leisure trusts, we’re proud of our mission of Improving Lives Through Leisure. We’re here to help communities live healthier, happier lives by making our centres welcoming, inclusive and accessible to everyone - because everyone deserves to feel good. We’re all about delivering amazing customer service with a smile - every single day. We create spaces where people feel at home, supported and inspired.

If you’re passionate about helping others and love creating great experiences, you’ll feel right at home with us. With over 130 centres across England and Wales, there’s loads of room to grow. Many of our team have built amazing careers doing what they love, helping customers day-to-day and making people feel good.

We’re proud to be a workplace where everyone is welcome, valued and supported to thrive - because when our team reflects the communities we serve, we all grow stronger together.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to form part of our Head of Department Team as Entertainment Manager at Guildford Spectrum, one of the UK’s largest and most unique leisure centres.

In this key leadership role, you will be responsible for overseeing financial growth and increasing customer participation within the Ice and Bowl facilities. You will lead and develop your team to deliver customer service excellence and contribute to the ongoing development of the customer journey and overall member experience, helping you to achieve income and participation targets. In this role you will have overall responsibility for the programmes, facilities and services within the Ice and Bowl departments.

You will act as the primary point of contact for established clubs including Guildford Flames Ice Hockey Club, Bowl leagues and all other clubs, user groups and stakeholders, requiring strong communication and relationship management skills. You will oversee the health and safety, compliance and standards across each department.

You will lead on the transformation of the current Bowl facility into the ultimate social entertainment venue, including taking responsibility for the brand new Puttify interactive golf experience. You will have oversight of the growth and development of Strikes Diner and Harvey’s Diner. While previous Ice, Bowl and Catering operations management experience is desirable, it is not essential. What matters most is a strong commercial awareness, translating to success and a willingness to learn the day to day operation.

As part of the Head of Department Team, you will contribute to the wider strategic direction of the centre. You will be part of a management rota, including shifts as Complex Duty Manger.

We are looking for someone currently working at Assistant Manager level or above within a medium to large leisure operation with experience of leading teams. You should be able to effectively balance multiple priorities, build and motivate high performing teams and demonstrate a genuine passion for leisure. The ability to work under pressure and deliver to deadlines is essential.

We are committed to ensuring both our colleagues and customers to have the best possible experience. If this sounds like the perfect next step for you, we would love 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

Requirements

• Strong financial awareness with the ability to drive growth and participation
• Commercial awareness that supports a successful and financially viable operations
• Proven people management skills
• Experience in problem solving, organisation, customer service and staff management
• Experience of working within a customer facing, leisure environment
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to manage priorities
• Confident decision making with the ability to work independently and flexibly

Benefits

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)
• All this as well as fully funded training and career progression opportunities in a team working environment

Closing Date: 29th June 2026

Salary: Up to £37,348 per annum

Freedom Leisure is proud to be an equal opportunities employer.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.