At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate family activities across Virgin Active clubs nationwide.
- Company: Join Virgin Active, a leader in wellness and leisure experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a vibrant team culture.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and a focus on innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in families' lives through engaging activities and events.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in Childcare or related field; leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Virgin Active are committed to changing people’s lives for the better through wellness.
Our team are dedicated to delivering a unique leisure and relaxation experience throughout all our clubs.
All our team members pride themselves on incorporating Virgin Active values and ensuring the highest Brand Standards into their work, so our members can experience the finest facilities and service.
We take value in recruiting the very best team members who work behind the scenes to support our clubs in delivering a world class member experience.
We are looking for a UK Family Activities Manager to join our Product Team.
The UK Family Activities Manager is responsible for leading the strategy, performance and development of Virgin Active’s family proposition, including Club V, swimming, junior activities, racquets and family events.
Working closely with club and support office teams, you will drive participation, retention and commercial performance while ensuring exceptional member experiences, strong operational standards and full compliance across all family programmes.
The Role
- Lead the development and delivery of Virgin Active's family activities strategy across the UK.
- Drive participation, retention and revenue across swimming, junior activities, Club V, racquets and family events.
- Use data and insight to identify opportunities, optimise performance and support strategic decision-making.
- Evolve the family proposition, ensuring it remains innovative, engaging and aligned to member needs.
- Lead, coach and develop Family Activities Managers and specialist teams across the UK.
- Support recruitment, onboarding and talent development to build high-performing teams.
- Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding, compliance and operational excellence across all family programmes.
- Collaborate with Regional Directors, General Managers and support office teams to deliver business objectives and member outcomes.
- Champion the family proposition across the business, building awareness, engagement and best practice.
- Travel across the UK to support clubs, projects and key initiatives.
Experience
- Minimum Level 3 qualification in Childcare, Education or a related discipline.
- Proven experience leading family, childcare, leisure or activity-based programmes.
- Strong commercial awareness with experience driving participation, retention and revenue growth.
- Experience leading, coaching and developing high performing teams.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, compliance and operational standards.
- Data-driven with the ability to turn insight into action.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
- Passion for creating exceptional experiences for children and families.
- Great to Have
- Knowledge of Ofsted requirements and relevant governing bodies.
- Experience within swimming, racquets or multi activity leisure environments.
- Experience with leisure management systems and performance reporting tools.
- Experience leading programme development and product innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land UK Family Activities Manager - Nationwide
✨Get Involved in Local Sports Communities
Dive into your local sports scene! Attend community games, coaching sessions, and meet-ups. Building relationships with coaches and team managers can help you uncover job opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Leverage Internships and Volunteering
Even though you’re after a full-time role, don’t underestimate internships or volunteering in sports organisations. These positions not only give you hands-on experience but can also lead to permanent openings. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to make your face known in the industry!
✨Visit Sports Job Fairs
Keep an eye out for sports job fairs and career expos specific to the recreation management field. These events are goldmines for meeting hiring managers from organisations like Virgin Active. Bring your A-game and be ready to chat about how you can contribute to their team!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to check out openings on our site! Our listings will often include positions at excellent organisations in sports recreation management, including Virgin Active. Applying directly through our platform increases your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. Let's get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace UK Family Activities Manager - Nationwide
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining Virgin Active aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin Active
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Virgin Active, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
