Group Exercise Manager

Black Pearl Consult; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Black Pearl Consult is seeking an experienced Group Exercise Manager in the UAE to lead and develop the group fitness programs at a premier sports, fitness and leisure destination. The role oversees coaches, programs, safety, and member engagement, while maintaining high service standards and driving member participation.

The successful candidate will stay hands-on with members, classes and events, ensuring certifications, UAE REPs where required, and ongoing staff development.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in group exercise coaching
• Two years of experience managing or supervising group exercise programs or a fitness department
• An internationally recognized group exercise or fitness certification
• Certification in at least three Les Mills programs
• A recognized indoor group cycling certification

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations and overall performance of the group exercise department
• Maintain high standards of coaching, member service, safety and class delivery
• Develop structured, engaging and results-focused group exercise programs for different fitness levels
• Design and introduce signature classes and new fitness programs
• Conduct regular class observations, quality checks and departmental audits
• Monitor class attendance, member participation feedback and program performance
• Support membership growth and retention by creating positive fitness experiences
• Build strong relationships with members and encourage long-term participation
• Create a welcoming, motivating and community-focused training environment
• Lead, guide and support group exercise coaches
• Organize regular coaching workshops, training sessions and development programs
• Identify training needs and ensure coaches follow approved methods and safety procedures
• Keep up to date with group exercise trends, safety and member engagement
• Ensure studios, training areas and equipment are safe and ready for use
• Maintain all required professional certifications and UAE fitness registration requirements
• Support member events and promotional activities
• Represent the organization professionally and align with its values
• Collaborate with other departments to support business objectives
• Handle other duties assigned by management

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Customer-service

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Group exercise certification

Les Mills certifications

Indoor cycling certification

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Group Exercise Manager to lead and develop the group fitness programs of a leading sports fitness and leisure destination in the UAE.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the quality safety performance and continued development of group exercise activities. This includes managing coaches introducing engaging fitness programs maintaining service standards and helping increase member participation and retention.

This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who can manage the department while remaining actively involved with members coaches classes and fitness events.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations and overall performance of the group exercise department.
• Maintain high standards of coaching member service safety and class delivery.
• Develop structured engaging and results-focused group exercise programs for different fitness levels.
• Design and introduce signature classes and new fitness programs.
• Conduct regular class observations quality checks and departmental audits.
• Monitor class attendance member participation feedback and overall program performance.
• Support membership growth and retention by creating positive and engaging fitness experiences.
• Build strong relationships with members and encourage long-term participation.
• Create a welcoming motivating and community-focused training environment.
• Lead guide and support group exercise coaches.
• Organize regular coaching workshops training sessions and skills-development programs.
• Identify areas where coaches require further training or improvement.
• Ensure that all coaches follow approved training methods service standards and safety procedures.
• Keep up to date with new developments in group exercise fitness wellness and member engagement.
• Ensure that studios training areas and exercise equipment are safe clean prepared and ready for use.
• Maintain all required professional certifications and UAE fitness registration requirements.
• Support member events fitness challenges promotional activities and community initiatives.
• Represent the organization professionally and demonstrate its values through excellent member service.
• Work closely with other departments to support wider operational and business objectives.
• Handle other reasonable duties and projects assigned by management.

Requirements

• Maintain full compliance with health safety and operating standards.
• Deliver a consistently high level of member satisfaction.
• Maintain excellent teamwork communication and punctuality.
• Keep all required group exercise certifications valid.
• Maintain or obtain UAE REPs registration where required.
• Complete at least three relevant professional training programs each year.
• Participate actively in internal training staff classes team-building activities and product knowledge sessions.
• Complete the agreed Personal Development Plan.

Minimum Requirements

• At least five years of experience in group exercise coaching.
• At least two years of experience managing or supervising group exercise programs coaches or a fitness department.
• An internationally recognized group exercise or fitness certification.
• Certification in at least three Les Mills programs.
• A recognized indoor group cycling certification.
• Strong knowledge of group fitness programming class delivery safety and member engagement.
• Experience training supervising or developing group exercise coaches.
• Good communication leadership and customer-service skills.
• Ability to work in a busy member-focused sports and fitness environment.
• Willingness to work flexible schedules including evenings weekends and public holidays when required.

Preferred Experience

• Previous work experience in the UAE or another GCC country.
• Current UAE REPs registration or eligibility to obtain it.
• Experience working in a large fitness club sports complex leisure destination or multidisciplinary training facility.
• Experience launching new classes signature programs or member fitness initiatives.

Overseas Applicants

Qualified candidates currently based outside the UAE are welcome to apply. Candidates must be willing to relocate to the UAE and complete any required certification registration licensing visa or employment procedures.