Facility Manager

University of Leeds; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned educational institution in Leeds seeks a dedicated Operations Manager to oversee daily operations at its sports facilities. The ideal candidate will excel in management and customer service within a sport environment. Responsibilities include ensuring facilities are well-presented and providing excellent service to users and visitors. Candidates should hold relevant qualifications in first aid, food hygiene, and a personal license. The role offers generous holiday provisions and additional well-being benefits.

Benefits

26 days holiday plus approx. 16 Bank Holidays

Discounted gym membership

Access to personal development courses

On-site childcare options

Shopping discounts and travel schemes

Qualifications

• Experience in a sport or leisure environment in a managerial capacity.
• Strong track record of maintaining high standards of facility presentation and customer service.
• Willingness to undertake training for first aid and food hygiene.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations at the designated facility.
• Ensure effective day-to-day management.
• Deliver excellent customer service to all users and visitors.
• Maintain facilities that are safe, clean, and professionally presented.

Skills

Customer service focus

Management skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

First aid qualification

Food hygiene qualification

Personal license qualification

Job description

This role will be based on the university campus at the Weetwood site. We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

Are you customer focused and dedicated to providing an excellent service? Do you have excellent management, and organisation skills with the ability to plan and prioritise work effectively?

With over £15 million invested over the past decade, the University of Leeds has established one of the leading outdoor sports facility provisions in the UK. Delivered across two dedicated Sports Parks—Weetwood and Bodington—these world‑class environments support student sport, elite performance, and extensive community engagement.

Sports Park Weetwood offers outstanding outdoor facilities, including high-quality grass and 3G football pitches, rugby facilities with a dedicated spectator stand and bar, two international‑standard water‑based hockey pitches, and a county‑standard cricket ground with a traditional pavilion. The park is used by University of Leeds students alongside members of the local community.

Sports Park Bodington is a world‑class sporting destination, home to the Brownlee Centre, the Bodington Cycle Circuit, Bodington Playing Fields, and the Bodington Football Hub. The site includes the UK’s first purpose‑built triathlon training centre and the permanent home of the internationally renowned Leeds Triathlon Centre, alongside high‑quality grass pitches and a purpose‑built football hub featuring three full‑size 3G pitches developed in partnership with the Football Foundation.

Together, these facilities support the University’s Leeds Gryphons sports clubs and are widely used by local sports organisations, National Governing Bodies, and professional sports teams, reinforcing the University of Leeds’ reputation as a centre of sporting excellence.

Reporting to the Assistant Operations Manager, you will take the lead on operations at your designated facility, ensuring effective day‑to‑day management and leading a team of Assistant Duty Managers and Recreation Assistants. You will play a key role in ensuring the delivery of excellent customer service to all users and visitors, while maintaining facilities that are safe, clean, and professionally presented at all times.

You will have proven experience working within a sport or leisure environment in a managerial capacity, with a strong track record of maintaining high standards of facility presentation and customer service. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, along with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

You will hold relevant qualifications in first aid, food hygiene, and a personal licence, or demonstrate a willingness to undertake training to achieve these.

• 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state‑of‑the‑art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Access to on‑site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Please see details of the University’s Pre‑employment Health Assessment within the Candidate Brief.