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General Manager
| Posting date: | 09 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £40,001.00 to £50,000.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £41,511 - £44,711 per annum |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 27 April 2025 |
| Location: | Darlington, DL1 5QT |
| Company: | Darlington Borough Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 278750 |
Summary
An exciting and rare career opportunity is available for a leisure professional looking to join one of the regionandrsquo;s leading leisure facilities and work within a diverse and innovative business. The role will focus on the operational management of sports, fitness, catering, entertainment, aquatics and water education.
andnbsp;
You will be part of the senior management team working closely with the Head of Leisure Services to drive standards and business performance. The Dolphin Centre is celebrating over 40 years in Darlington and provides a range of services and facilities including swimming and water education, sports and fitness, soft play and bowling, events and conferencing, catering and hospitality, gym, memberships and health referral services.
andnbsp;
The centre is highly regarded within the industry and its success is built on a foundation of strong commercial drive that works in line with a commitment to fulfilling our social responsibilities as a local authority to promote health and leisure for all. The facilities are of the highest quality and continually react to customer feedback and industry trends and best practice to ensure the best possible offer for Darlington and visitors to the town. The next two years will attract some exciting developments of facilities and services that the successful candidate will be involved in including the installation of solar panels, mechanical and electrical upgrades within the building and a number of invest to save projects are under development to bring alternative facilities to site.
andnbsp;
There are over 150 members in our team all contributing to the success of the Dolphin Centre and catering services which includes 5 small catering units in addition to the centre. The Centre became the first local authority Enterprising Academy in 2018 and received special recognition at the Houses of Commons. The Academy drives business through promoting outstanding standards, a cycle of constant challenge and the goal to strive for the next version of outstanding.
andnbsp;
As a General Manager you will be responsible for all aspects of operational management and delivery of the centre and catering services. This will include quality assuring service delivery within facilities and programmes, maintaining health and safety standards and managing operations and risks within the leisure environment. A creative approach to problem solving is essential along with the ability to work well in a high paced and pressured environment. Operational expenditure management will be a key responsibility ensuring operations run both efficiently and effectively.
andnbsp;
The successful candidate will have a strong commercial awareness along with a clear understanding of our responsibilities as a local authority leisure facility. You will be required to have a good understanding of how your role supports the vision and values of the organisation. The performance management of your teams in line with the academy standard and helping your team realise their true potential will be vital. You will be expected to drive standards where our language is positive, we engage and listen to our teams and customers, promote positive attitude, and recognise our responsibility as leaders to motivate and inspire.
andnbsp;
The Individual
andbull; You will have experience of working within a leisure management environment and ambition to be an outstanding leader.
andbull; We are looking for a highly professional candidate who values integrity and is motivated to make a difference and take the business forward through operational excellence.
andbull; You should be passionate about customer service, standards and developing yourself and your team.
andbull; Able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of industry standards and practice.
andbull; Display enthusiasm to work closely with colleagues to quality assure all aspects of customer experience.
andbull; Having confidence in dealing with challenging situations and embracing challenge as a positive are key characteristics.
andbull; You should be an excellent communicator with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels including with partners and stakeholders.
andbull; A commitment to creating a culture to support business performance is essential.
andnbsp;
Whatand#39;s in it for you?
andbull; 32 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays, with the option to purchase additional Annual Leave (pro-rata for part time working)
andbull; Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with option to make Additional Voluntary Contributions
andbull; Flexi-time scheme
andbull; Enhanced Maternity/Paternity and Adoption Leave payments
andbull; Green Car Leasing Scheme (if applicable)
andbull; Access to a wide range of training, learning and development
andbull; Access to free physiotherapy sessions
andbull; Access to free, confidential counselling
andbull; First class health and wellbeing initiatives
andbull; Cycle to Work Scheme in partnership with Halfords
andbull; Reduced cost membership for the Dolphin Centreandrsquo;s Fit for Life Package
andbull; Season ticket car parking permits or subsidised Town Centre parking permits subject to criteria
andbull; Loan and Savings scheme via payroll deduction
andbull; Discounted Arriva Travel Pass
andbull; Access to Childcare Vouchers scheme subject to criteria
Interviews to be held on 13 May 2025
andnbsp;
u General Information for Applicants: /u
All applicant email correspondence will come from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk and may be directed to your Junk folder depending on the settings of your email account. Please check both your email and Junk folder as all applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted.
andnbsp;
For detailed information on this role, please refer to the Role Profile and Supporting Information in the Vacancy Information document. Contact Lisa Soderman, Head of Leisure Services 01325 406980 or Amy Bloomer HR Advisor 01325 405477.
andnbsp;
andnbsp;
You will be part of the senior management team working closely with the Head of Leisure Services to drive standards and business performance. The Dolphin Centre is celebrating over 40 years in Darlington and provides a range of services and facilities including swimming and water education, sports and fitness, soft play and bowling, events and conferencing, catering and hospitality, gym, memberships and health referral services.
andnbsp;
The centre is highly regarded within the industry and its success is built on a foundation of strong commercial drive that works in line with a commitment to fulfilling our social responsibilities as a local authority to promote health and leisure for all. The facilities are of the highest quality and continually react to customer feedback and industry trends and best practice to ensure the best possible offer for Darlington and visitors to the town. The next two years will attract some exciting developments of facilities and services that the successful candidate will be involved in including the installation of solar panels, mechanical and electrical upgrades within the building and a number of invest to save projects are under development to bring alternative facilities to site.
andnbsp;
There are over 150 members in our team all contributing to the success of the Dolphin Centre and catering services which includes 5 small catering units in addition to the centre. The Centre became the first local authority Enterprising Academy in 2018 and received special recognition at the Houses of Commons. The Academy drives business through promoting outstanding standards, a cycle of constant challenge and the goal to strive for the next version of outstanding.
andnbsp;
As a General Manager you will be responsible for all aspects of operational management and delivery of the centre and catering services. This will include quality assuring service delivery within facilities and programmes, maintaining health and safety standards and managing operations and risks within the leisure environment. A creative approach to problem solving is essential along with the ability to work well in a high paced and pressured environment. Operational expenditure management will be a key responsibility ensuring operations run both efficiently and effectively.
andnbsp;
The successful candidate will have a strong commercial awareness along with a clear understanding of our responsibilities as a local authority leisure facility. You will be required to have a good understanding of how your role supports the vision and values of the organisation. The performance management of your teams in line with the academy standard and helping your team realise their true potential will be vital. You will be expected to drive standards where our language is positive, we engage and listen to our teams and customers, promote positive attitude, and recognise our responsibility as leaders to motivate and inspire.
andnbsp;
The Individual
andbull; You will have experience of working within a leisure management environment and ambition to be an outstanding leader.
andbull; We are looking for a highly professional candidate who values integrity and is motivated to make a difference and take the business forward through operational excellence.
andbull; You should be passionate about customer service, standards and developing yourself and your team.
andbull; Able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of industry standards and practice.
andbull; Display enthusiasm to work closely with colleagues to quality assure all aspects of customer experience.
andbull; Having confidence in dealing with challenging situations and embracing challenge as a positive are key characteristics.
andbull; You should be an excellent communicator with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels including with partners and stakeholders.
andbull; A commitment to creating a culture to support business performance is essential.
andnbsp;
Whatand#39;s in it for you?
andbull; 32 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays, with the option to purchase additional Annual Leave (pro-rata for part time working)
andbull; Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with option to make Additional Voluntary Contributions
andbull; Flexi-time scheme
andbull; Enhanced Maternity/Paternity and Adoption Leave payments
andbull; Green Car Leasing Scheme (if applicable)
andbull; Access to a wide range of training, learning and development
andbull; Access to free physiotherapy sessions
andbull; Access to free, confidential counselling
andbull; First class health and wellbeing initiatives
andbull; Cycle to Work Scheme in partnership with Halfords
andbull; Reduced cost membership for the Dolphin Centreandrsquo;s Fit for Life Package
andbull; Season ticket car parking permits or subsidised Town Centre parking permits subject to criteria
andbull; Loan and Savings scheme via payroll deduction
andbull; Discounted Arriva Travel Pass
andbull; Access to Childcare Vouchers scheme subject to criteria
Interviews to be held on 13 May 2025
andnbsp;
u General Information for Applicants: /u
All applicant email correspondence will come from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk and may be directed to your Junk folder depending on the settings of your email account. Please check both your email and Junk folder as all applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted.
andnbsp;
For detailed information on this role, please refer to the Role Profile and Supporting Information in the Vacancy Information document. Contact Lisa Soderman, Head of Leisure Services 01325 406980 or Amy Bloomer HR Advisor 01325 405477.
andnbsp;
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.