Job Description

Why Join Us?

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead operations in the UK's first fully inclusive leisure centre. You will play a pivotal role in shaping how thousands of families experience play, friendship, exercise, and joy -- every single day of the year.

About Gympanzees

Gympanzees is on a mission to do something no one in the UK has ever done before: create the first fully inclusive leisure, exercise and play centre for disabled children and young people (0-25) and their families.

Based on a stunning 14-acre site in South Gloucestershire, our centre will be packed with energy and possibilities -- 10 state-of-the-art activity rooms, outdoor adventure play, a buzzing cafe and shop, a lending library, and celebration spaces. Once open, it will welcome 200,000 visits every year.

This is your chance to be part of something truly groundbreaking. At Gympanzees, you won't just be doing a job -- you'll be helping to tear down barriers to play, friendship, exercise and joy for thousands of children and families who deserve it most.

If you're passionate, ambitious and excited to make a real difference, we'd love you to join our team.

The Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Leisure Centre Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our flagship centre. This is a unique opportunity to manage an inclusive facility that will transform the lives of thousands of children, young people, and families.

Right now, we're in an incredibly exciting position -- and you'll be at the heart of it. In the short term, you'll play a crucial role in getting the centre ready for opening: selecting and implementing software systems, sourcing stock and suppliers, shaping timetables, recruiting and training staff, and putting in place the processes and standards that will make our launch smooth and our long-term success possible.

Once the centre opens, the Leisure Centre Manager will take the lead in ensuring that every visitor enjoys a safe, welcoming, and outstanding experience. You'll oversee the day-to-day running of all activities and services -- from the cafe, shop, and gym to the lending library, room hire, and our wide range of activity and play sessions.

You'll be the driving force behind a talented team of managers, providing leadership, support, and direction to deliver excellence across every part of the centre.

This is a senior operational role that calls for proven experience in leisure, hospitality, or visitor attractions. A background in working with disabled people or in inclusive environments would be a real advantage - above all, we're looking for someone with the vision and passion to help shape a truly groundbreaking centre.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

Lead the day-to-day management of the leisure centre, ensuring smooth and effective delivery of all services. Oversee the planning, delivery and evaluation of inclusive activity and play sessions. Ensure facilities and equipment are safe, accessible, and well-maintained. Take responsibility for compliance with health & safety, safeguarding, risk management and legal requirements.
Team Management

Line manage and support direct reports, including Cafe Manager, Gym Manager, Shop & Library Lead, and Party/Room Hire Coordinator. Create a positive, inclusive, and motivated staff culture where every team member can thrive. Support training and development, with a strong focus on inclusion and customer service excellence.
Commercial & Customer Services

Oversee the cafe, shop, lending library, and celebration/room hire services. Drive commercial performance to ensure financial sustainability, while balancing mission and accessibility. Ensure consistently high standards of customer service across all areas.
Collaboration & Reporting

Work closely with the CEO and senior leadership team to align operations with Gympanzees' strategy and values. Provide regular operational reports, including visitor numbers, feedback, financial performance, and risk management. Engage with families, staff, volunteers, and partners to ensure continuous improvement.

Person Specification

Essential

Significant experience managing leisure, hospitality, or visitor services at scale. Proven success in leading diverse teams, including line management responsibility. Strong operational management skills -- facilities, health & safety, compliance. Commercial awareness with experience running income-generating services (e.g. cafe, retail, memberships, room hire). Excellent communication and people skills; able to engage confidently with families, staff, volunteers and external partners. Organised, resilient, and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Commitment to Gympanzees' mission of inclusion and accessibility.
Desirable

Experience working with disabled children, young people, or adults. Knowledge of accessible facilities, inclusive play, or adapted exercise. Experience in launching or scaling new services or centres.

What's in it for you

At Gympanzees, we're passionate about creating a workplace that reflects the communities we serve -- a place where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. Our mission is to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices of our community and our team.

We're a small but mighty organisation, full of passion and drive. Here, your role is more than just a job -- every opinion matters, and we embrace learning and taking risks to help us grow stronger together.

Benefits of working with us:

Generous holiday allowance - 25 days (plus bank holidays), increasing by one day for each year you're with us (up to 30 days), plus your birthday off! Healthcare plan - reclaim cash against dental appointments and treatment, opticians, therapy and specialist consultations. Employee Assistance Programme - confidential wellbeing support when you need it. Training opportunities - to support your personal and professional development. Sick pay - because we know life sometimes happens. Company pension - planning for your future.

Our commitment to inclusion

We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups (e.g. Disabled people, people from ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ people). As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to all applicants who meet our essential criteria.

Safeguarding

The safety and wellbeing of the people who use our services, our volunteers, staff and wider community is our top priority. All successful applicants will be asked to disclose unspent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (as amended in 2013).

If you need this information in another format or experience any difficulties applying, please contact us by email, phone or in writing.

How to apply

Please send a short cover letter (or video, if you prefer) telling us why you'd be great for this role, along with your CV, to emily@gympanzees.org.

If shortlisted, you'll be invited to an interview. If successful, we'll then ask for two referees who have known you for at least two years (ideally in a professional context, but this can include employers, colleagues, teachers, tutors, support workers, community leaders, your child's teacher, or a member of a hobby/exercise group).

Questions? We'd love to chat -- get in touch: info@gympanzees.org
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 45,000.00-50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Canteen Company pension Free parking On-site parking Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:

Bristol BS35 4BL: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person