UK National Group Exercise Fitness Manager

This role plays a pivotal role within the Virgin Active Product team, responsible for shaping and delivering the UK Group Exercise strategy and format portfolio. It owns GX commercial performance, programming standards and instructor development, ensuring Virgin Active remains a world-class group fitness brand that inspires members to live an active life. The postholder leads and develops the format Leads, drives the GX innovation pipeline, and partners across Product, PT and Operations to deliver a consistently excellent member experience.

• Drive GEX programming excellence and the GX innovation pipeline, focusing on delivery, quality control and ensuring members receive the best studio experience.
• Line manage and develop the format Leads (Yoga, Pilates, ETM, Athletic, Lift) and the GEX Optimisation Manager.
• Own the UK Group Exercise Product Roll Out plan, ensuring projects are managed effectively by the format Leads.
• Manage the UK Group Exercise budget, optimising timetables to match member demand with the right instructors, formats and times.
• Ensure Virgin Active is the GEX Employer of Choice in the UK by maintaining a clearly defined instructor Academy journey from Entry to Master, including learning flow, facilitator guides and manuals for every course.
• Create and update processes and policies to improve GEX management in club, act as a key stakeholder influencing the direction of Group Exercise across Virgin Active, and continuously evaluate formats and timetables based on performance, member feedback and industry trends.
• Create a culture where the community become raving fans of Group Exercise through partnership activations, member events/workshops and communication channels.
• Represent Virgin Active in marketing, PR, trade shows, conferences and events as the UK GEX expert, and build relationships with industry thought leaders to grow awareness of Virgin Active as a leading GEX brand.
• Deliver commercial and membership targets for Group Exercise, partner with Facilities and Product teams on capital investment projects relating to GEX spaces, and work across functional teams to drive seamless online and offline customer experiences.
• Act as a role model and ambassador for Virgin Active, maintaining positive working relationships, taking ownership, and keeping a keen understanding of industry trends to make strategic and tactical recommendations.

• Extensive experience in Group Exercise, with a strong track record as a GEX coach or instructor.
• Experience leading and developing multi-format teams.
• Proven experience in commercial and P&L management, including timetable and budget optimisation.
• Strong project management experience, with a track record of delivering GEX product roll-outs.
• A highly regarded reputation in group exercise with members and fellow instructors.
• Experience building and maintaining an instructor development pathway (Academy journey, CPD, certification).
• Ability to readily obtain a clear DBS to work with children if necessary.
• Flexibility to work a non-traditional schedule, including travel across the UK and occasional weekend working.
• An inclusive ethos and values system.
• Exclusivity with the Virgin Active Health Clubs brand.
• Driven to achieve targets and inspire others to do the same.
• Confident, credible and commercially astute under pressure.
• A strong industry network, able to anticipate future trends and opportunities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, able to engage members, instructors and senior leadership alike.
• A can-do approach, comfortable adapting plans as priorities change.

• Experience leading and developing multi-format teams that include Leads of Concept.