The Work

Leisure Centre Managers are responsible for the smooth running of the centre and sporting activities. They cover a wide variety of responsibilities, from administration, financial planning and budgeting to staffing and marketing. They also oversee and ensure a healthy and safe environment for guests.

They plan activities and schedule the use of different rooms and equipment, as well as staffing rotas. The manager is responsible for the supervision and training of existing staff and the recruitment of new members of staff.

Another important part of the manager's role is to promote the centre to increase memberships, or to publicise any upcoming events. To do this, they may organise advertising campaigns and visit local schools and clubs.

Further Information

• Leisure Centre Manager - from: GradIreland
• Leisure Centre Manager - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

You will generally need quite a lot of relevant work experience to be considered for a Manager position. Many managers have started out as Administrators or Fitness assistants in Leisure centres, and progress to a Manager position after a number of years.

Academic qualification can boost your chances of getting the job, it is not always required. But some employers want you to have some, or all, of the following:

• Fitness Instructors qualification
• Lifeguard qualification
• Knowledge of Pool Plant management
• Class teaching experience
• First Aid and Defibrillator Training

Previous experience in a management position will also give you a distinct advantage.

Training and Development

With work experience and further qualifications, you can progress to general management and group management functions within leisure organisations.

However, you can also develop your career outside of a leisure centre, as a personal trainer or sport and leisure development officer for local authorities or national governing sporting bodies for example.

Relevant course subjects you can study include Hospitality and Sports/leisure instruction and Management or Business, and there are courses at both further and higher education level.

FET Centre Traineeship: Sports, Leisure, Excercize & Recreation, and Supervisory Management NFQ level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Sports, Leisure, Excercize & Recreation, Supervisory & Leisure Management NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Sales & Recruitment along with Apprenticeships NFQ level 6 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Sports, Leisure, Excercize & Recreation, Supervisory & Leisure Management, Business & Csutomer care NFQ Level 6-8 Search CAO courses

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €32k - €45k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, experience, and sessional shift pattern & conditions.

Data Source(s):
Jobs/Excel Recruitment/ Indeed/ Glassdoor

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

Employment growth was above average for this occupation, mostly due to a large increase in employment in 2023 with only a marginal increase in 2024. Over half employed held third level qualifications and over two-fifths were working part-time.

Employment permits issued were for various sporting player and coach roles (in basketball, gymnastics, swimming, golf, hockey, cricket and rugby).

Increasing real wages may lead to demand for fitness-related jobs although the evolution of the use of digital platforms for fitness may also have an impact.

• Ireland Active

  • Irish Sport HQ, National Sports Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
  • 01-6251192
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Fáilte Ireland

  • Amiens Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 884 7700
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Hospitality Institute

  • 12 Priory Office Park, Stillorgan Rd, Co. Dublin
  • (01) 662 4790
  • Click Here