Centre Manager (outdoor sport centres)
Why Southwark?
Southwark is a vibrant, ambitious, and forward-thinking London borough, known for its diverse communities, cultural landmarks, and award-winning green spaces. Home to over 120 spoken languages, we proudly champion inclusion and community-driven services. We’re working towards Southwark 2030 a shared vision for a fairer, greener, and safer borough where everyone can thrive. Our green spaces are among our most valued assets, and we’re committed to sustainability, biodiversity, and excellence in public service across housing, highways, and parks.
We’ve invested heavily in outdoor recreation and sport, creating top-tier facilities that encourage healthy, active lifestyles. With its dynamic inner-city environment and exciting regeneration projects, Southwark offers the perfect setting for passionate professionals who want to make a real difference in local communities through sport and leisure.
What You'll Be Doing
As Centre Manager for our flagship Burgess Park Sports Centre and BMX Track, you'll lead the day-to-day operations of two of Southwark’s most important outdoor sports facilities. You’ll be responsible for:
Leading and developing a team of operational staff to deliver safe, high-quality services.
Ensuring the centre meets all legal and safety standards while providing excellent customer care.
Managing a part-time Duty Manager who supports key areas such as Health & Safety, BMX operations, budget monitoring, staff development, and community engagement.
This is a hands-on role where you’ll balance strategic oversight with on-the-ground presence motivating teams, liaising with users, and working flexibly (including evenings and weekends) to meet the needs of the service.
What We're Looking For
We're seeking an experienced, proactive, and people-focused manager who’s passionate about delivering exceptional sport and leisure services in the heart of the community.
You should have:
A strong background in managing sport or leisure centres, ideally in a local authority or community setting.
Practical experience in improving customer-focused services.
Leadership skills to inspire and develop your team while upholding high service standards.
The drive and ambition to shape and improve services for the future.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, high-profile environment and takes pride in developing inclusive, accessible spaces for everyone.
Additional Information
Contract: Full-time, 36 hours per week (flexible working including evenings/weekends).
Location: Burgess Park Sports Centre, with potential to support other sites.
Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check required.
Uniform and PPE provided.
Benefits and more information:
Working for Southwark Council – Southwark
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Jardine Finn, Outdoor Recreation Manager, on 07952 116894.
Closing date: Sunday 10 August 2025
Interviews: Wednesday 20 August 2025
Guaranteed Interview Scheme:
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together programme. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Attachments
Salary range
- £41,580 - £47,628 per year