Working Life

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

• Fitness/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 managerial 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.

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.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: sports, leisure, exercise and recreation, supervisory management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: sports, leisure, exercise and recreation, supervisory management, leisure management.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Sales, Recruitment.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: sports, leisure, exercise, recreation, supervisory and leisure management, business, customer care.

Search for CAO Courses

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

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Leisure and sports managers; Sports players Sports coaches; instructors and officials; Fitness instructors.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels fell in this occupation between 2021 and 2022, with 6,000 fewer people employed compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. The CSO Census data shows that employment numbers were small across the individual roles included in this occupation; although the Census shows that there was some growth over the period 2016 to 2022, this was primarily related to fitness instructors.

A half of all persons employed in this occupation worked part-time, far exceeding the national average of 22%. Employment permits issued for this group related to professional sports players sports coaches/instructors. The rising cost of living is likely to have an impact on the demand for the services provided by many people working in these occupations.

An increased use of digital fitness, particularly during COVID-19, may also have an impact on future demand for these roles, along with a shift in the skills profile required (e.g. digital skills). As such, the outlook for this occupation is uncertain, with any potential employment growth dependent on the levels of consumer discretionary spending.

• 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