Fitness centre manager : Employers and vacancy sources

Employment opportunities can be found in the following settings:

• local authorities;
• health authorities;
• universities;
• private health clubs and fitness centres;
• corporate gyms;
• hotels;
• on board ships.

About half of all managers work in publicly or privately run sports and leisure centres. Large employers, independent clubs and community centres are other major employers. Upmarket hotels increasingly offer guests on-site fitness facilities, or provide complimentary use of a private club nearby. Many large employers also offer employees a gym or fitness centre at the workplace, or negotiate discounted corporate membership of private fitness chains.

Within local leisure centres, the overall management of a fitness suite usually lies with the leisure centre manager, but there may be a fitness centre manager or a fitness coordinator role at a sub-managerial level. In educational establishments, such as universities, managers frequently control swimming pools, and sometimes teach students, particularly where sports-related courses are offered. In many centres however, there is a clear division between ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ facilities.

Chains of clubs tend to target different types of customers, so that there is some variation in recruitment policies and pay, as well as the facilities provided.

In spite of suggestions that the British fitness market is reaching saturation point, the industry has survived the recession well. Some companies are looking to expand overseas, especially into Europe, where the industry is much less developed.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (IMSPA)  
• Leisurejobs.net
• Leisure Opportunities
• Leisureweek
• Local Government Careers - links to local authority websites.
• Leisure Jobs Recruitment

Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.