Virgin Active South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Exercise Experience Manager – Virgin Active South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Location: Ekurhuleni Rural, Gauteng
Position Type: Permanent
Posted: 01 January 2026
Closing Date: 07 January 2026
Division: Clubs Gauteng South
Business Unit: Glen Acres
Industry: Health, Wellness and Fitness
Job Functional Area: Management
Minimum Experience: Mid-Senior
Virgin Active South Africa is recruiting an experienced and passionate Exercise Experience Manager to join the team at the Glen Acres club in Ekurhuleni Rural, Gauteng. This is a permanent management role suited to a dynamic leader who is deeply committed to wellness, people development, and building vibrant fitness communities that extend beyond the traditional gym environment.
About Virgin Active South Africa
Virgin Active is a globally recognised health and wellness brand, known for its bold approach to fitness, innovation, and community-driven experiences. The organisation’s mission is centred on inspiring people to live active lives, not only through physical training but also by fostering social connection, motivation, and long-term lifestyle change.
The Exercise Experience Manager plays a critical role in bringing this mission to life. This position sits at the heart of member engagement, instructor development, and group exercise excellence, ensuring that every interaction within the club reflects the Virgin Active brand values and delivers meaningful impact.
Purpose of the Role
The primary purpose of the Exercise Experience Manager is to build dynamic, inclusive exercise communities where members feel supported, motivated, and excited to return. This role focuses on creating personalised wellness journeys by connecting members with the right products, services, fitness programmes, and social fitness tribes that align with their individual goals.
The role goes beyond operational management. It is about creating energy, excitement, and belonging. By combining leadership, creativity, and data-driven decision-making, the Exercise Experience Manager ensures that group exercise and fitness offerings are engaging, relevant, and consistently aligned with member expectations and industry trends.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Recruitment, Onboarding and Retention
You will be responsible for recruiting, attracting, and retaining top-tier Fitness and Group Exercise Instructors. This includes sourcing talent both internally and externally, ensuring that all instructors not only meet technical requirements but also align with Virgin Active’s culture and community values.
Using the Online Hiring Assessment process, you will assess suitability and performance potential, helping to build a strong and sustainable instructor base. Once appointed, you will oversee a structured and engaging onboarding process, covering everything from professional conduct and brand standards to studio operations, sound systems, and remuneration processes.
Retention is a key focus. Through effective leadership, recognition, and development opportunities, you will ensure instructors feel valued, supported, and motivated to grow within the business.
Team Management and Development
Leading and developing a high-performing team is central to this role. You will manage Fitness and Group Exercise Instructors in line with club FTE requirements and budget constraints, ensuring optimal staffing while maintaining service excellence.
Regular coaching sessions, performance feedback, and development conversations will form part of your leadership approach. You will actively promote CPD (Continuing Professional Development), ensuring instructors remain compliant, skilled, and up to date with the latest fitness trends, methodologies, and industry standards.
By fostering a culture of learning and growth, you will keep the team inspired and aligned with both club and regional objectives.
Community Building and Instructor Support
Building strong fitness communities is a defining aspect of the Exercise Experience Manager role. You will cultivate a sense of belonging among instructors through clear communication channels such as one-on-one check-ins, newsletters, meetings, and informal touchpoints.
You will manage CPD points, schedule development opportunities, and ensure instructors are adequately prepared for every class. Through the STOP, LOOK & LISTEN strategy, you will confirm that studios are correctly set up, instructors are supported, and members receive a consistent, high-quality experience.
Delivering Exceptional Group Exercise Experiences
As a leader, you will lead from the front by delivering engaging and memorable group exercise classes when required. This hands-on involvement ensures that standards are maintained and that instructors have a strong role model within the club.
You will oversee studio cleanliness, organisation, and functionality, ensuring equipment and sound systems are always in optimal condition. Managing digital and in-club timetables forms a critical part of this responsibility, including handling last-minute changes, instructor no-shows, and schedule adjustments with minimal disruption to members.
Group Exercise Strategy and Performance
Group Exercise (GEX) is a key driver of member engagement. You will manage and optimise the group exercise timetable to ensure it delivers energy, variety, and value. By hosting special events such as FITFEST, themed workouts, and DJ nights, you will create memorable experiences that boost participation and strengthen community ties.
Using GEX performance reports and collaborating with regional teams, you will analyse attendance trends, instructor performance, and class popularity. These insights will inform strategic decisions around class offerings, scheduling, and instructor deployment, ensuring the timetable consistently reflects member demand.
Member Social Wellness
The Exercise Experience Manager plays a key role in supporting members’ social and emotional wellness. You will ensure that new members receive comprehensive inductions that introduce them to all club offerings, including group exercise, personal training, and community events.
By managing the GEX Invitation system, you will actively drive class participation, increase mobile app engagement, and maintain excitement around club activities. Events, demos, and experiential activations will be used to keep members connected, motivated, and socially engaged.
Operational Excellence
Operational standards are non-negotiable in this role. You will ensure that all group exercise spaces are clean, safe, and inspiring. Equipment functionality, sound quality, and adherence to Health and Safety standards will fall under your direct oversight.
You will also be responsible for creating effective staffing schedules that ensure adequate coverage while maintaining energy and engagement across the club floor. Attention to detail and consistency are essential to maintaining operational excellence.
Marketing, Data and Performance Tracking
You will support and execute in-club marketing initiatives designed to drive awareness and participation in group exercise and personal training offerings. By leveraging digital platforms, club resources, and internal tools, you will help attract new members and re-engage existing ones.
Data analysis forms an important part of the role. You will track attendance, engagement, and performance metrics, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing action plans to address gaps. Your data-driven approach will ensure offerings remain relevant and impactful.
Minimum Requirements
To be considered for this role, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Matric qualification
- A recognised Fitness Qualification
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience within the fitness industry
- At least 3 years’ experience managing exercise experiences in a health club or similar environment
- 2 to 3 years’ experience managing people or teams
- Proven experience teaching a variety of group exercise classes
- Strong passion for the wellness industry
- Exceptional people leadership and collaboration skills
- Alignment with Virgin Active brand values
Desired Skills and Attributes
The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong communication and relationship-building skills, adaptability in a fast-paced environment, and a proactive, growth-oriented mindset. A willingness to take ownership, make decisions, and create memorable member experiences is essential.
Additional advantages include organisational and coordination skills, facilitation and presentation ability, advanced wellness knowledge, agility, emotional intelligence, and the confidence to make bold decisions when required.
Why Join Virgin Active
This role offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on people’s lives while leading within a globally respected wellness brand. If you are driven by purpose, thrive in dynamic environments, and are passionate about creating exceptional fitness experiences, the Exercise Experience Manager role at Virgin Active Glen Acres presents a rewarding and meaningful career opportunity.
To apply for this job please visit virginactiveclubsgautengsouth.simplify.hr.