CENTRE MANAGER (Alan Higgs Centre)

Reference Number: AH046

Closing Date: 20^th June 2025

Hours: 37.5

Rate of Pay: Competitive salary based on experience

About the role:

CThe Alan Higgs Centre in Coventry is a large ‘sports village’ with an extensive range of elite facilities including a 50-metre swimming pool, that attracts regional and national events. The centre is home to Coventry City Academy, the City of Coventry Swimming Club and the City of Coventry College.

The facility also sits within a community with identified health inequalities

We are looking for the successful candidate to have knowledge and experience of partnership work, the management of events, while also understanding how to engage and meet the needs of   the communities where the facility is located.

The knowledge and experience of the day-to-day management of a Leisure facility with an aquatic offer is essential whilst experience of managing a 50m pool is desirable.

Enhanced DBS Clearance will be required for the successful candidate. 
Please click on this link for further details: https://cvlife.co.uk/dbs/ 

Job Description

Reporting to: Head of Operations – Community and Neighbourhood Facilities

Responsible for: Duty Managers, Lifeguards, Recreation Attendants, Customer Service Advisors, Cleaners

Scope

Coventry Sports Foundation and Culture Coventry Trust are operating as CV Life, so that the scope of this Job Description as a CV Life document extends to cover the employment contracts held with either Coventry Sports Foundation or Culture Coventry Trust.

Overall purpose and objective of the role

To oversee all operational management at the facility and be responsible for ensuring the safe, secure, efficient and sustainable operation of the buildings, facilities and services.

An operational role which involves advising, developing and implementing operational improvements to enhance the visitor journey at the Alan Higgs Centre and to deliver an excellent customer experience, focusing on continual improvement and maximising opportunities for income generation.

Main duties of the role:

1. To be responsible for the day to day operational management of the Alan Higgs Centre.
2. To ensure that customer expectations are met and exceeded by an enthusiastic, skilled and welcoming team of staff and volunteers.
3. To co-create with local communities and partners the holistic programming of the Alan Higgs Centre (AHC). 
4. A commitment to delivering an excellent visitor-focused experience at AHC.
5. Lead the planning and delivery of high-profile aquatic events bringing in new high-profile events and ensuring the smooth running and continued success of existing program.
6. To be responsible for the Line management and professional development of the AHC team, adapting your style depending on the needs of your team.
7. To develop systems to capture detailed KPI’s and customer feedback and regularly provide reports on key emerging trends.
8. The management of the tenant requirements within the leased areas of AHC and the long term block booking arrangements.
9. To contribute to the annual development of the CV Life, Coventry Sports Foundation annual business plans.
10. To use insight and customer feedback and to develop the AHC annual site business plan with associated action plans and suite of KPIs that align to overarching CV Life vision and objectives.
11. To be constantly involved in all areas of the Company’s Policy and Procedure reviews and manage such implementation and applications of policy within the Sports Centre environment.
12. To work with the management team to ensure all statutory requirements within the facility are adhered to.
13. To be responsible for proactively maintaining a safe working environment by identifying potential hazards, implementing risk mitigation strategies, and promoting a culture of safety awareness among staff.
14. To structure and organise communication networks within the various departments within the Centre and lead meetings as appropriate.
15. To work with the Head of Operations – Neighbourhood and Communities and other Centre Managers within the Company to develop complementary marketing campaigns to continually strive to increase usage and revenue generation.
16. To liaise regularly with internal and external partners and sub-contractors to ensure that all partnership and delivery standards are met.
17. To ensure AHC maintains accreditation to a quality assurance framework and demonstrates continuous improvement.
18. To work with the Community Development team and other partners to deliver externally funded programmes and events that meet the needs of the local community.
19. To work with the Lifestyles team to deliver a range of Health and Wellbeing programmes at AHC.
20. To work with the management team on site to ensure that the Centre’s facilities are constantly maintained, cleaned, and presented to the highest of standards.
21. To monitor and respond to any issues of security (in relation to the premises, staff, users, sub-contractors, and visitors) and to respond to alarm call outs as a designated ‘key holder’.
22. To support the management of other facilities and venues as and when required.
23. To work Duty Management shifts as required, in covering shifts during times of holidays and absenteeism.
24. To work with the Head of Operations – Neighbourhoods and Communities to develop annual budgets, be responsible for managing the budget and providing regular forecasts on actual performance.
25. To act a designated safeguarding lead at the AHC and attend all relevant meetings as required.

This job description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and may be reviewed and updated depending upon operational requirements and staffing levels.

Responsibilities for all employees

• To embrace and lead by example on the Company’s key values of PRIDE, PASSION and PERFORMANCE or those that might at any time be subsequently re-defined.
• To undertake all duties and fully comply with all of the Company’s general standards and those relating to the specific requirements of the role.
• To carry out tasks at a range of sites that are either operated or managed by the Companies / Trusts or where services are delivered by the Companies / Trusts 
• To be involved in any aspects or opportunities for sharing of good practice, expertise and responsibilities within the Companies / Trusts. To generally help promote the work and public image of the Companies / Trusts, always maintaining high standards of customer service and personal appearance. 
• To attend and fully engage with all internal training and development requirements and opportunities, and maintain such qualifications as required by the demands of the role.
• To interact positively with customers adopting a friendly and professional approach at all times.
• To support the Company’s commitment to providing a safe environment for children, young people ad vulnerable adults, ensuring awareness of the Company’s Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practice Guidance, and to be vigilant, reporting any safeguarding concerns without delay. 
• To comply with the General Data Protection Regulations when dealing with, maintaining, sharing and storing information.
• To undertake other duties as specified, which are appropriate to the qualifications, experience and general level of the post.
• To co-operate with managers and colleagues to ensure environmental responsibilities are complied with.

Person Specification

Essential Personal Attributes

• Presentable in personal appearance.
• Approachability to staff.
• Positive assertiveness.
• High levels of self-motivation and organisation.
• Outwardly enthusiastic and confident.
• A flexible approach to work.
• Supportive qualities that will encourage staff in their pursuit of personal goals.
• Ability to be positively persuasive and motivate individuals and teams.
• High standards in relation to the presentation of facilities and staff.

Essential Knowledge and Experience

• Working knowledge & experience of the day to day management of a Sports Centre.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety practices within a Sports Centre environment.
• Experience in business planning, budget and financial analysis / management processes.
• Experience of cash handling, security practices & procedures.
• Digital skills with experience of Microsoft Office, Outlook, Xcel, Teams etc.
• Experience in the implementation of policies and procedures.
• Experience in the development & marketing of facilities/activities.
• Experience in problem solving.

Essential Qualifications

• Hold a recognised Management qualification or relevant experience in a managerial position.

Essential Special Skills

• Excellent communicator to various levels of internal and external representation.
• Consultative leadership and people management skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative & lead a team of people.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to work and make decisions in unsupervised settings.
• Confidentiality in relation to issues of personnel.
• Organisational, planning and administration skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Mentoring skills for more junior members of staff.
• Customer care skills.
• Time Management skills.
• Ability to manage budgets.
• Good listening skills.
• Literacy and numeracy skills.

Special Circumstances

• Ability to work unsociable hours including evenings, weekends, and Bank Holidays.
• Ability to travel between sites during the working day.
• Ability to be on call to attend at short notice.
• Interest in working with underrepresented and disadvantaged community groups/individuals.
• Enhanced DBS clearance required.

If you have any enquires, please contact our Human Resources Team by emailing recruitment@cvlife.co.uk