General Manager - Nationwide

Virgin Active; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading wellness club provider in Portsmouth seeks a General Manager to lead club operations and drive member satisfaction. You will inspire and develop your team while ensuring commercial success and brand excellence. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the leisure industry, strong leadership acumen, and a passion for health and fitness. This role offers competitive benefits, including annual leave, pensions, and complimentary memberships.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus Celebration Day

Pension contributions

Bonus structure

Complimentary membership

Private Dental and Healthcare Insurance

Life Assurance 4x salary

Discounts across Virgin Active

Exclusive Virgin Family discounts

Access to salary finance

Mental health support

Complimentary corporate letting services

Discounts on courses

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a General Manager, Club Manager, or Senior Operations Manager in hospitality, fitness, or leisure.
• Ability to build, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.
• Experience managing budgets, KPIs, and P&L.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing club team.
• Drive membership growth, retention, and revenue targets.
• Champion Virgin Active’s social wellness vision.
• Manage budgets, P&L, and operational KPIs.
• Ensure health, safety, and compliance standards.
• Build relationships with members to exceed their expectations.

Skills

Leadership skills

Commercial acumen

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Job description

General Manager - Nationwide

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 in our clubs in delivering a world-class member experience. We are now looking for a General Manager to join our Club Management Team.

It’s a truly exciting time to be joining Virgin Active. We are transforming our clubs and redefining who we are — evolving into social wellness clubs that connect people, movement, relaxation and community all under one roof. With refurbishments underway across the majority of our estate and bold plans to elevate our member experience, you’ll have the opportunity to lead from the front of this transformation. This is your chance to shape the future of wellness and play a pivotal role in the next chapter of Virgin Active.

The General Manager is responsible for leading the overall operations and performance of the club, driving member satisfaction, achieving commercial success, and ensuring the highest standards of safety, service, and brand excellence. You will be the face of the club – inspiring your team, creating a vibrant culture, and delivering an exceptional Virgin Active experience every single day.

The Role

• Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing club team to deliver an exceptional member experience.
• Take full ownership of the club’s commercial performance, driving membership growth, retention, and revenue targets.
• Champion Virgin Active’s new social wellness vision and ensure all brand standards are consistently achieved.
• Manage budgets, P&L, and operational KPIs, ensuring the club runs efficiently and profitably.
• Oversee health & safety and compliance standards, ensuring a safe environment for members and team members.
• Foster a culture of wellbeing, teamwork, and continuous improvement across the club.
• Build strong relationships with members, understanding their needs and ensuring their experience exceeds expectations.
• Work collaboratively with support teams to deliver new initiatives and bring our reimagined club experience to life.

Experience

• Previous experience as a General Manager, Club Manager, or Senior Operations Manager in a hospitality, fitness, or leisure environment.
• Strong leadership skills, with a proven ability to build, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.
• Commercial acumen and experience managing budgets, KPIs, and P&L.
• A passion for health, fitness, and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, people-focused environment.

Our Perks

• 25 days (excluding bank holidays) annual leave, plus a Celebration Day – and we want you to take them.
• Access to The People’s Pension (3% contribution) OR Scottish Widows Pension with matched contributions up to 5%.
• Competitive bonus structure
• Complimentary Virgin Active membership for you and a buddy – plus free membership for your children and access to Club V.
• Private Dental and Healthcare Insurance – because your physical health matters.
• Life Assurance 4x your salary – peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
• Discounts across Virgin Active – including guest passes and 50% off PT sessions.
• Join the Virgin Family – enjoy exclusive discounts with Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Holidays, Virgin Media/O2, and more.
• 20% off food and drink at our KAUAI branches.
• Access to Salary Finance for loans, savings plans, and financial wellbeing support.
• Mental health support through our BUPA Employee Assistance Programme, including 4 free counselling sessions.
• Complimentary corporate letting services with Dexters – no tenant charges.
• Access to ePoints with online retailer discounts.
• Discounts on Virgin Active Academy courses – perfect for pursuing your passion.