Duty Manager – ELA Active Ltd

Tela; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

An active leisure organization in Cambridgeshire is seeking a proactive Duty Manager for its sports facilities. You will lead the leisure team, ensuring high standards in customer service and health and safety. Responsibilities include staff supervision, pool plant operations, and incident management. The ideal candidate will have leadership experience, relevant certifications, and a commitment to building community relations. Full training and ongoing professional development are provided, alongside a supportive work culture.

Benefits

Free use of sports centre facilities

On-site parking

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative team culture

Enhanced parental leave

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Qualified RLSS National Pool Lifeguard and First Aid at Work.
• Experience in leisure management and team leadership.
• Ability to handle emergency situations calmly.

Responsibilities

• Lead leisure team during shifts and promote a positive culture.
• Supervise facility setup and ensure safe operation.
• Respond to incidents and act as first-aid lead on site.

Skills

Leadership

Customer Service

Health and Safety

Problem Solving

Communication

Teamwork

Education

RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Certification

First Aid at Work Certification

National Pool Plant Operators Qualification

Job description

Join our team and develop your leadership skills in a supportive and rewarding environment.

We are seeking a confident, proactive, and motivated Duty Manager to join our ELA Active team. This is a key role supporting the day-to-day operations of our sports facilities, with a focus on delivering high-quality customer experience, supporting staff on shift, and maintaining excellent health and safety standards.

Working closely with Shift Leaders and the wider leisure team, you will take a hands‑on approach to managing pool plant operations, supervising staff, and always ensuring the smooth running of facilities. Whether you’re looking to build on previous leisure experience or take the next step into management, we’ll support you with the tools and training you need to thrive.

Why ELA Active?

Working at ELA Active means more than just a job – it’s an opportunity to make a real impact in your community while building a fulfilling career. We provide high-quality facilities, professional development pathways, and a collaborative working culture that values initiative, reliability, and team spirit.

As Duty Manager, you will play a vital role in staff supervision, health and safety, and customer experience. You’ll work alongside our Assistant Managers and Shift Leaders, taking ownership of key areas such as pool plant operations, emergency response, event coordination, and safeguarding – all while maintaining a strong customer‑first approach.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and support the leisure team during shifts, promoting a positive, high‑performing culture.
• Maintain high operational standards across cleanliness, safety, and customer service.
• Supervise facility setup and ensure activities run smoothly and safely.
• Monitor and maintain pool water quality, plant operations, and compliance checks.
• Act as a key point of contact for customers, resolving issues professionally.
• Manage opening/closing procedures and ensure full shift handover is completed.
• Deliver hands‑on training and support staff development.
• Respond to incidents and act as first‑aid lead on site.
• Ensure safeguarding, health & safety, and emergency protocols are followed at all times.

What we’re looking for:

• A qualified and active RLSS National Pool Lifeguard, First Aid at Work and National Pool Plant Operators qualification.
• A confident leader who can support, develop, and motivate a team.
• Strong understanding of health and safety in a leisure environment.
• Excellent communication and team leadership skills.
• Someone committed to excellent customer service and operational standards.
• A proactive, hands‑on attitude with high attention to detail
• A flexible individual who thrives in a fast‑paced, community‑focused environment.
• A proactive problem‑solver with the ability to remain calm and act decisively under pressure.

What we offer:

• Full training and ongoing professional development
• Free use of sports centre facilities
• On‑site parking
• A collaborative, inclusive team culture

If you are enthusiastic, reliable, and eager to grow within a professional sports and leisure environment, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Location: Chesterton, Impington & Witchford Sports Centres, Cambridgeshire

Hours: 37 hours per week, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends

What can ELA offer you?

ELA offer a sector leading staff benefits offer alongside bespoke, high quality CPD programmes, cross‑trust events, and exceptional opportunities for career development within our innovative family of schools.

• ELA know that our strength is our people, so we prioritise staff wellbeing, retention and development. Over 95% of ELA staff say they’re proud to work in their school.
• ELA are firm believers in the power of recognising, celebrating, and rewarding talent: our track record in terms of retention, internal promotion opportunities and wider career development is excellent.
• ELA staff enjoy a sector leading staff benefits package alongside bespoke, high quality CPD programmes, cross‑trust events, and exceptional opportunities for career development within our innovative family of schools.
• You can find out all about our Trust and staff offerhere .

ELA staff benefits include:

• Reduced contact time to enable professional development;
• EAP with access to counselling & physiotherapy;
• Paid annual family day;
• Cycle to work & electric car lease schemes;
• Enhanced parental leave;
• Ticket ballots for high profile events;
• Generous annual leave allowance for support staff;
• Discounted gym membership for all staff.

Our Trust is committed to equal opportunities, to safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff are expected to share this commitment and undergo the appropriate checks. All positions within the Trust are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references along with a Certificate of Good Conduct if applicable. Only applications submitted on using the ELA application form will be accepted. We do not accept applications by CV. You can view our safeguarding policy here .

All shortlisted applicants should expect to be called for interview no more than 5 working days after the closing date. If you have not heard from us by that time, your application has not been successful. Visits to ELA Active are welcome.