Welcome

Introduction
Leisure management in local government is varied and can range from organising sport and recreational activities and managing sports facilities, to promoting drama, music and other activities in a theatre or arts centre.  Leisure services are found in all types of councils throughout the UK.

Work Environment
The setting for the work is dependent on the nature of the job, but most local government leisure managers are office-based.  They are required to travel to leisure facilities in the area.  Local government Leisure Managers work around 37 hours per week, but this might include some shift work and evenings and weekends.
 
Daily Activities
Leisure Manager is a generic job title that covers quite a varied range of positions within local government.  Different areas of responsibility might include the following:

• activity manager - developing, delivering and monitoring special activities within a leisure facility, such as children's holiday activities or sport and leisure courses;
• outdoor activity centre manager - managing the day to day running of centres dedicated to outdoor pursuits;
• fitness manager - managing personal training and fitness instruction within a gym facility;
• community centre manager - managing the range of activities taking place within local community centres, such as clubs for older people, dance lessons, church groups and so on;
• theatre/arts centre manager - managing the day to day running of council-owned theatres, concert halls and arts centres.

Although the areas of work are varied, a local government leisure manager's work might include some or all of the following tasks:

• managing budgets;
• carrying out consultations with service users with a view to implementing service improvements and providing new services;
• managing staff;
• overseeing publicity campaigns and promoting special projects;
• providing high quality customer service;
• organising and managing projects and programmes of events and activities.

Skills & Abilities
Local government leisure managers need:

• written and verbal communication skills;
• people management skills;
• planning and organisational skills;
• confidence and creativity;
• an understanding and interest in health, fitness and recreational activities;
• a sense of fun and an enthusiasm for involving and engaging all types of people in leisure activities.

Entry Requirements 
Although there are no set entry requirements to enter leisure management in local government, Leisure Managers might move into the role with a range of qualifications and experience behind them.  Most people start in more junior positions and work their way up, gaining N/SVQs or an Apprenticeship, and professional qualifications as they go.  Alternatively, some people study for leisure management, sports development, recreation management or sports science related degrees.  There are now also foundation degrees available, which combine academic study with vocational experience.  Professional development and qualifications are offered by ISPAL and the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM).
 
Future Prospects & Opportunities
There is a clear career progression path from leisure assistant/attendant, through to leisure manager.  There may be opportunities to move into policy development roles such as leisure services development officer, or sports development officer.  Alternatively, there might be opportunities to progress into more senior management roles within the council leisure and cultural services department.

Further Information & Services
Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity www.cimspa.co.uk
SkillsActive www.skillsactive.com

You may find further information about this area of work through Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or in your local library, careers office or school careers library.