Lead Group Exercise & Pilates Manager

YMCA St Paul’s Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free gym access across sites

Discounts from retailers

Well-being and counselling services

Outer London locations flexibility

Career development programmes

Family-friendly policies

Life Assurance

Job summary

YMCA St Paul’s Group is seeking an experienced Lead Group Exercise & Pilates Manager to shape our group exercise offer across multiple sites and online platforms. You will lead the development of classes, manage instructors, and ensure programmes are engaging, inclusive and financially sustainable.

Working with gym and studio teams, you will grow timetables, explore new locations and build partnerships to extend health and wellbeing services for members, residents and local communities.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience delivering and managing group exercise and Pilates programmes.
• Managerial experience with multi-site coordination.
• Strong leadership, motivation and team development abilities.
• Commercial awareness balancing participation and financial performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead group exercise and Pilates programmes across sites and online.
• Grow timetables and add new locations.
• Deliver high-quality, consistent and engaging classes and courses.
• Manage and develop instructors and coordinators.
• Monitor participation, performance and income to drive growth and meet targets.
• Ensure health & safety, customer experience and operational compliance.
• Develop partnerships linked to social prescribing and funded community programmes.

Skills

Group exercise leadership

Pilates program management

Multi-site leadership

Team development

Health and wellbeing

Job description

Location: Multi-site with some hybrid working and expectation to travel to all of the locations within the YMCA St Paul's Group sites as required (Wimbledon, Walthamstow, Surbiton, Kingston, Ealing)

Salary: £39,900 per annum

Hours: 40 hours per week, full-time

Help shape the future of health and wellbeing at YMCA St Paul's Group

We're looking for an experienced and passionate Lead Group Exercise & Pilates Manager to develop our group exercise and Pilates offer across YMCA St Paul's Group.This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated fitness professional who wants to make a real difference. You'll play a key role in creating high-quality, inclusive and innovative group exercise and Pilates programmes that improve health and wellbeing for our members, residents and local communities. Working closely with our Managers at our gyms and studios you'll lead the development of our group exercise and classes and Pilates programmes; support and inspire our instructors, grow participation, and help ensure our services are financially sustainable and aligned with our charitable YMCA values.

What you'll be doing

• Leading the development of the group exercise and Pilates programmes across multiple sites and online platform.
• Growing our group exercise and Pliates timetables and new locations.
• Overseeing the delivery of high-quality, consistent and engaging classes and courses.
• Managing, developing and inspiring our team of group exercise and Pilates instructors and coordinators.
• Monitoring participation, performance and income to drive service growth and achieve targets.
• Ensuring the highest standards of customer experience, health and safety, and operational compliance.
• Building partnerships and developing opportunities linked to social prescribing, health referrals and funded community programmes to increase participation.

About you

• Has substantial experience delivering and managing group exercise and/or Pilates programmes.
• Worked at managerial level with multi-site management or coordination experience.
• Is a confident leader with experience of supporting, motivating and developing teams.
• Understands how physical activity through group exercise and Pilates can improve fitness, health and wellbeing outcomes.
• Is commercially aware and able to balance participation, quality and financial performance.
• Has excellent organisational, communication and relationship-building skills.
• Shares YMCA St Paul's Group's commitment to supporting healthier, stronger and more connected communities.

Why join YMCA St Paul's Group?

At YMCA St Paul's Group, we're more than a fitness provider. As a charity, we use health and wellbeing services to support stronger communities, improve lives and create opportunities for young people and local residents to thrive. You'll have the opportunity to shape services that positively impact thousands of people every year, while working alongside a passionate team committed to improving health and wellbeing across our communities.

About YMCA St Paul's Group

YMCA St Paul's Group (SPG) is a charity and registered housing provider whose mission is to be an inclusive Christian Association transforming communities so that all young people can belong, contribute and thrive. As a member of the wider YMCA Federation, our vision is of places where young people thrive and communities flourish. As one of the largest YMCAs in Europe and one of the largest providers of supported housing in London, we provide supported housing services, health and wellbeing services, education and training services through our health and wellbeing centres, children, youth and family programmes, including nurseries, after-school clubs and soft play centres. Being part of YMCA St Paul's Group means not only working for a great London-based charity that has supported young people and communities for over 150 years, but also being part of a national association and global movement. We are one of the UK’s Top 100 Best Workplaces™ 2026 and have also been recognised as one of the UK’s Top 100 Best Workplaces for Large Organisations, Wellbeing, Women, Development™ and the Charity & Not for Profit Sector 2026.

What we offer

At YMCA St. Paul's Group, we prioritise improving diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the services we provide. We value your authenticity and unique voice and encourage you to share your opinions. You will have the opportunity to be a catalyst for change by actively participating in our Employee Resource Groups.

You can learn, grow, and reach your full potential as a team member. We are committed to your development and will support your personal growth journey. Our comprehensive learning and development program includes training, qualifications, and on-the-job experience, ensuring that you have the skills necessary for your role while offering continuous development and advancement opportunities.

• Free gym and classes access across our sites.
• Discounts from major retailers and supermarkets.
• Free access to well-being and counselling services.
• The opportunity to work from a range of outer London work locations.
• Career development programmes to help you thrive.
• Family-friendly policies to help you balance work-life, including enhanced maternity pay.
• Life Assurance.

Please note: We are unable to provide visa sponsorship and can only accept applications from individuals who already have the right to work in the UK

As this role involves working with vulnerable members of society, including regulated activity, a Basic, Standard or Enhanced Criminal Disclosure will be required following a conditional offer. We are making people aware of this because with Enhanced disclosures, spent convictions may appear. However, if you were appointed, we will consider all circumstances before making a final decision.

Previous applications: If you have applied for a similar role within the last six months and were unsuccessful, we encourage you to consider whether your experience has developed further before reapplying.

Accessibility & adjustments: We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Please let us know in advance if you require any support to participate fully.

At YMCA St Paul's Group, we actively promote equality of opportunity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, communities, and industries, and value the diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives that make our workforce stronger. The successful candidate will be expected to uphold and work in accordance with the YMCA's Christian ethos and values.