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General Manager

Job Summary
Contract Type:
Permanent
Working Pattern:
Full time
Advert Start Date:
17/09/2026
Advert End Date:
04/10/2026 23:59
Salary:
£48,738 - £51,928 per annum
Hours per week:
37 hpw
Job Category:
Youth / Community / Leisure Services
Vacancy ID:
297240
Employment Location:
Dolphin Centre, DL1 5RP
Post Number:
POS016635
Number of posts:
1
Closing date:
4 Oct
Further Information
An exciting career opportunity is available for a leisure professional looking to join one of the region’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.
 
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 entertainment, events and conferencing, catering and hospitality, gym, memberships, and health referral services.
 
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. Later this year the centre will open some exciting developments including an indoor golf course with darts and shuffleboard and has also recently opened a new state of the art spinning studio and fitness studio.
 
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 business is driven through promoting outstanding standards, a cycle of constant challenge and the goal to strive for the next version of outstanding, the successful applicant will play a critical role in this.
 
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 and catering 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.
 
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 standards 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.
 
The Individual
• You will have experience of working within a leisure management environment and ambition to be an outstanding leader.
• 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.
• You should be passionate about customer service, standards and developing yourself and your team.
• Able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of industry standards and practice.
• Display enthusiasm to work closely with colleagues to quality assure all aspects of customer experience.
• Having confidence in dealing with challenging situations and embracing challenge as a positive are key characteristics.
• You should be an excellent communicator with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels including with partners and stakeholders.
• A commitment to creating a culture to support business performance is essential.
 
What's in it for you?
• 32 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays, with the option to purchase additional Annual Leave (pro-rata for part time working)
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with option to make Additional Voluntary Contributions
• Flexi-time scheme
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity and Adoption Leave payments
• Green Car Leasing Scheme (if applicable)
• Access to a wide range of training, learning and development
• Access to free physiotherapy sessions
• Access to free, confidential counselling
• First class health and wellbeing initiatives
• Cycle to Work Scheme in partnership with Halfords
• Reduced cost membership for the Dolphin Centre’s Fit for Life Package
• Season ticket car parking permits or subsidised Town Centre parking permits subject to criteria
• Loan and Savings scheme via payroll deduction
• Discounted Arriva Travel Pass
• Access to Childcare Vouchers scheme subject to criteria
 
The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure check.

General Information for Applicants

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.
 
If you have any further questions regarding applying for this role or the questions and required fields within the application form, please contact the HR Support team on 01325 403217 or HR@darlington.gov.uk.

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You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.
 
We are an equal opportunities' employer. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We aim to interview any applicant who declares a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job.
 
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