General Manager

Overview and responsibilities

General managers are individuals employed in the sport and physical activity sector who are experienced managers. They may be, for example, a centre manager, operation manager, business manager, contract manager, governing body manager or head of department. They could also be a sport development manager or other manager in a community sports setting.

When they are qualified, they will have demonstrated:

• the ability to manage the processes through which organisations plan and organise quality sport and physical activity services
• effective leadership of people
• efficient deployment of financial and physical resources
• effective leadership skills at the operational level
• an ability to contribute to strategic planning and manage change.

Employers should support those meeting this professional standard with training, mentoring, and supervised experience to gain knowledge and skills as a key part of their career progression. This will enable them to undertake a general management role and prepare them for future progression in senior management.

General managers can:

• develop manage, review and improve sales support and customer service programmes
• develop customer service procedures for an organisation
• initiate and implement operational change
• manage human resources
• discipline and grievance management
• understand the principles of business finance
• manage strategic marketing activities
• contribute to strategic planning
• engage and manage stakeholders
• manage health and safety across an organisation
• manage operations
• develop and implement an operational plan.

Entry managers can also specialise in four industry areas:

• Exercise and fitness
• Leisure operations
• Sport development
• Coaching systems

Education

To be professionally recognised as a CIMSPA General Manager Member, there are different requirements depending on your level of experience.

If you have been in a general manager role for 1–3 years, we ask that you provide us with your CV, a supporting reference and evidence of holding a relevant CIMSPA-endorsed qualification, degree or apprenticeship certificate issued by a CIMSPA Awarding Organisation Parter or Higher Education Partner or the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).

If you have a qualification or degree that is not endorsed by CIMSPA or is over five years old, or if you have an international qualification, we still encourage you to apply for professional recognition. We may, however, need to ask you for additional evidence of other training you have undertaken as part of your application.

If you have more than three years of experience in the role, we ask you to provide your CV showing your responsibilities within your most recent role and any CPD undertaken along with a supporting reference.

Progression

Once managers have gained a general manager qualification, they often seek out further qualifications to enable them to work at a higher level such as senior manager.