Job Description

Sporting Penistone exists to improve the health and wellbeing of all local people, working together with other organisations to support our community. We provide facilities and activities,including a gym, roller skating, classes, sports, rooms for hire and a café. We are continually creating new activities to encourage new people to come and get involved.

Our new manager will be a ‘people person’, able to form positive and productive relationships with the large number of people involved in the centre, and they will see this as an important part of their role. This will enable them to fully utilise the experience and skills of our volunteers, staff and users, both in day-to-day operations and in identifying and implementing improvement opportunities. Effective internal and external communications are vital to the success of PLC. The new manager will be able to think on their feet and solve problems as they occur, finding effective and equitable solutions.

We are looking for a manager who will continue to run PLC as a friendly, accessible community facility. They will evaluate and improve our activities and the way we run, so we can better meet local needs. The centre needs to be self-sustaining, but profit is not the main motivation - additional money will be invested in reaching new people, to improve their health and wellbeing. 

DETAILS OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Overview and management of the running of the centre, ensuring effective use of time, space and resources for the greatest community benefit and financial sustainability, whilst at all times ensuring the safety and wellbeing of staff, volunteers and service users.

2. Ensure systems are in place so staff, volunteers and users know what to do, ensure they all have sufficient training and are working within their competence and area of interest. Monitor and improve these systems to ensure the smooth running of the centre during your work hours, and outside of them.

3. Contribute to the development of a Centre Strategic Plan with the Trustees, taking forward ideas into implementation and review.

4. Research and take forward new projects and ideas that help to further our aims, taking up suggestions from staff, volunteers, trustees, users and other sources, as well as your own. Make recommendations to trustees as to financial viability, strategic fit and operational practicality.

5. Gather, analyse and interpret operational data and write reports. Use the conclusions to take action to keep the centre on track. Produce financial and social impact forecasts, and do market research, for new and existing work and projects at the centre.

6. Seek out new funding streams and grants and submit funding/grant applications. Monitor and collate evidence about how monies awarded have been spent, the social impact created, and other outcomes required by funders. Report these to funders and trustees regularly.

7. Staff management – recruitment, selection and induction. Work with staff to set objectives, share tasks and workloads and provide feedback and support to manage performance. Plan training and development, approve timesheets and holiday requests. Have an overview of the management of volunteers, ensuring effective systems are in place for recruitment and retention. Ensure rotas are arranged to cover all available sessions.

8. Attend most monthly Trustee meetings, to ensure the Trustees are kept informed about progress including finance, new projects or developments, and what is going well and less well.

9. Manage budgets (which are set by Trustees) and approve expenditure, getting best value for money.

10. Establish links with local and regional organisations which may lead to collaborative initiatives and Centre activities. Be aware of local and national conditions which could provide opportunities for the centre.

11. Keep updated on best practice, regulations and changes in legislation pertinent to charities, gyms and leisure centres. Take any action needed and update Trustees on major changes.

12. Write and update Leisure Centre policies and procedures and ensure adherence to Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Data Protection, Equal Opportunities and other Regulations.

13. Ensure procedures are in place for the general security, safety, good maintenance and cleanliness of the centre, and that appropriate risk assessments (including COSSH) are completed in the relevant timescales. Review procedures regularly and after incidents, and implement changes.

14. To manage complaints, incidents and emergencies as they arise. To escalate any risks and issues that need attention to Trustees.

15. Maintain good relationships with Trustees, volunteers, coaches, staff and centre users, and at all times to be an ambassador to the Centre.

16. Any other ad hoc duties commensurate with the post or during staff absence.

EXPERIENCE – you must have at least 2 years’ experience in two or more of these essential areas, and some experience in the rest:

• Experience of managing business operations ✔
• Experience of managing people ✔
• Experience of managing projects or programmes of activity. ✔
• Experience of financial planning and management ✔
• Experience of consensus building and teamwork ✔
• Experience of managing a building ✔
• Experience of managing or working with volunteers ✔
• In a charity / volunteer led organisation - Desirable
• In the leisure industry - Desirable

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Honest, hardworking, reliable, conscientious, and quick thinking with a keen eye for detail and good problem-solving skills. A safe pair of hands we can trust to manage all operations at the Centre.
• Ability to manage the systems that keep everything running smoothly, in terms of people, finances, time and space.
• Analytical skills – ability to assess the current state of the centre and make evidence-based plans, using research, analysing data and writing reports which explain results clearly and lead to action.
• Ability to lead a team, overseeing the work and delegating tasks, motivating people and taking responsibility for the outcomes.
• Financial skills – ability to analyse financial information, manage cash flow and budget.
• Strong communication/interpersonal skills and commitment to work with trustees, volunteers, staff, centre users, other organisations and the local community. Ability to take all these views and ideas into account to reach the best outcomes for everyone.
• Excellent IT and digital skills - experience of updating a website, using microsoft office programs including excel, file sharing, team organisation (trello) and managing a bookings system. Ability to learn how to use new software quickly and easily.
• Ability to make a compelling argument, backed up with evidence, realistic budgets and predicted outcomes, in order to secure funding for the centre.
• Excellent organisation and time management of your own work, prioritising in the long and short term. Willingness to seek support as appropriate.
• Ability to work from home, as well as at the centre, for flexible hours including some evenings, weekends and ‘on call’.

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING

• GCSE English and Maths grade C or equivalent ✔
• A business qualification or relevant training at any level ✔
• First Aid qualification - desirable
• Knowledge, training or qualifications for working with children / vulnerable adults and/or health and safety - desirable

TO APPLY

Please complete our application form and include your CV.