Age Concern Southend-on-Sea (“ACSOS”) wishes to appoint a Manager to oversee the management of the day-to-day operations of Club 50+
Reports to: CEO, Age Concern Southend-on-Sea
Direct Reports: None

Job Summary
The aim of Club 50+, a registered charity located at 1b Queens Road, Southend-on-Sea that is currently run entirely by volunteers, is to improve the quality of life of older people over the age of 50 by providing social, physical and mental stimulation in a safe and friendly environment close to Southend High Street. This enables older people to develop new friendships thereby reducing loneliness and social isolation and helping them to live longer. The charity also seeks to improve the fitness of older people by providing health promoting activities such as tai chi, yoga and “keep fit” classes as well as table tennis, short mat bowls, snooker and darts. It also provides line, modern ballroom, sequence and belly dancing tuition and offers lessons to help older people to improve their computer literacy and understand how to use the internet. Members can also play whist and bridge and there are facilities for them to develop skills in arts and crafts. For those that are less active and just want company, the club also has a “tea bar” where members can buy hot or cold drinks and light snacks at an affordable cost.
The Manager will play a key role in developing the atmosphere at the club into one that is vibrant, welcoming and fun where customers receive such a consistently excellent service that it becomes THE place where they and their friends choose to come to spend their leisure time. The position requires excellent organisational and personal skills and an open-minded and patient personality. The successful applicant will also be responsible for driving the future growth and development of the Club and will have a ‘can-do’ approach and will be expected to be a visible presence during opening hours representing the Club in a professional and friendly manner.
Responsibilities and Duties
- The cost effective and successful operation of the Club
- Ensuring that the Club is friendly and welcoming and that members and volunteers feel valued
- Ensuring that volunteers are, at all times, focussed on providing the best possible levels of service to members and guests and, equally, ensuring that volunteers are treated courteously and with respect at all times by members
- Responding promptly to matters raised by members and guests and ensuring that all issues are dealt with and recorded
- Ensuring that members adhere to the Club’s code of conduct / behaviour policy (reviewed and modified as necessary)
- Ensuring that high standards are maintained throughout the Club
- Maintaining high levels of customer care avoiding loss of existing members
- Ensuring that the Club is operated as an efficient and profitable business while seeking to avoid the loss of existing members
- Designing, organising and promoting new leisure activities and entertainment events to meet existing member demand and bring in new members thereby increasing revenue
- Using available information (e.g. popularity of existing classes) to improve the provision of activities and timetables
- Advertising and promoting the Club to increase usage
- Preparing monthly reports and cash projections for submission to senior management and the Club’s Committee
- Liaising with the ACSOS management team and the Club’s committee
- Overseeing the management of the Club’s facilities and premises
- Negotiating costs with activity tutors
- Handling complaints and incidents (e.g. accidents and emergencies, theft)
- Preparing and checking budgets and generating income
- Determining the optimum pricing structure for refreshments and snacks; reviewing menus and ensuring that sufficient stock is available[1]
- Recruiting and training volunteers including drawing up rotas
- Carrying out Health & Safety checks on premises and equipment
- In conjunction with ACSOS management, arranging maintenance, insurance, repairs and cleaning
- Cashing up and keeping stock records
- Purchasing equipment and supplies
- Updating the Club’s website and Facebook site as necessary
Skills Required
- Lively, out-going personality and the drive to provide the best possible service to members
- Open-minded and patient
- Excellent people management, communication and social skills
- Ability to set and meet targets
- Ability to respond positively to pressure
- Excellent organisational skills
- Background in customer service with 2 years’ experience of club management
Remuneration
Salary: £20-23,000 p.a. depending on experience plus statutory pension entitlement
Hours: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday with 1 hour’s paid lunch break
Place of work: Currently 1b Queens, Road, Southend-on-Sea but location may change[2]
[1] While the Club is located in its current premises; longer term it is intended that the Club be relocated to a “community hub” that will also incorporated a franchised café/restaurant
[2] Club 50+ is currently in the process of merging with Age Concern Southend-on-Sea (“ACSOS”). ACSOS is presently seeking to develop a “community hub” in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff-on-Sea and, if successful, it is proposed that the Club be relocated to these premises.