The leisure industry employs over 300,000 people in leisure facilities across the country and plays a vital role in improving public health. The role of the leisure team member is to support, enhance and deliver the day to day operations and services of a leisure / fitness facility. Working as part of a team, it is the responsibility of the leisure team member to undertake a range of operational duties such as assisting with the opening and closing of the facility, undertaking routine maintenance of equipment and maintaining the cleanliness and safety of the environment. Alongside these operational functions they ensure programmed activities and services are available for customers. 

They act as a Lifeguard, Swimming Teacher, Gym Instructor and Group Activity Leader. In a typical working day they may perform all of these roles in one shift, for example: Open or close the facility, welcome customers, deliver a gym induction, run a group exercise session, teach a swimming lesson, clean the facility, walk the gym floor, prepare the sports hall for a sports activity (for example badminton) and deliver the session. At all times they offer excellent customer service as they are the first point of contact for customers, responsible for answering queries and dealing with straightforward complaints. 

Job titles include, recreation assistant, recreation supervisor, leisure attendant, leisure assistant, leisure professional.

Alongside their operational duties there are five key areas of work all leisure team members will cover; leisure and fitness operations, lifeguard duties, swimming teaching duties, gym instruction and leading group activities.