The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management
Management
Leisure managers work in local authority leisure centres as well as in the growing number of private health clubs throughout Britain. They are responsible for managing budgets; overseeing the development and marketing of new programmes and services, supervising and training staff and generally ensuring their centre is running a quality, customer orientated service.
There are a number of career paths for people wanting to work in this field. School leavers with few qualifications, people with vocational qualifications and degrees and mature students bringing expertise from other areas of study can all make their way into leisure and recreation management. Trainee posts are scarce and competition is fierce. In most instances, therefore, some form of further or higher education is required.
Professional qualifications are offered by the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management.
For many people a career in this industry is seen on a hierarchical basis with aspirations to climb several 'rungs on the promotional ladder'. Dependent upon the balance of your experience, skills, knowledge and qualifications - you may well be attracted to positions in management.
Supervisor / duty manager / assistant manager
Usually people in these types of positions work on some kind of shift system which will include early mornings, late evenings, weekend and bank holiday work.
They are widely regarded as the first line of management and may have other specific duties and responsibilities, for example staffing rotas, activity planning, maintenance, an area of a building and so on.
Health and safety is particularly important for staff at this level and very often they are responsible for a number of compliances under the legislation. There are also a range of technological applications which require a level of computer literacy.
This really is a demanding but rewarding level to work in!
Pre-requisites vary tremendously. Some organisations have internal promotion schemes in operation, others may well insist on supervisory qualifications such as ISRM Sport and Recreation Supervisory Management Certificate, S/NVQ Level 3 and the ISRM Sport and Recreation Management Certificate, S/NVQ Level 4.
Centre manager / recreation manager
Usually people in this position are responsible for the whole of a centre's resources and activities. Responsibilities may include planning of events / activities, recruitment and selection, health and safety, financial control and staff supervision.
A high academic standard is required at this level plus operational experience. Qualifications include ISRM Sport and Recreation Management Certificate. At a more senior level and in larger facilities, ISRM diploma, a sports degree and diploma in management studies are often a pre-requisite.
Head of service / assistant director / director / managing director
Such posts are near or at the top of an organisation's hierarchy. They are largely strategic in nature and can include other disciplines in the leisure field such as play, arts, community development, and parks.
In private companies this can involve responsibility for sites in other regions - or abroad.
Whilst a high academic standard - such as a Masters Degree is usually required - more importantly is the demonstration of achievement and performance. This is usually reflected in evidence of continuous professional development schemes.