University of Nottingham Ningbo China is seeking to recruit a Health and Fitness (H&F) Manager in Sport Department

The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) was the first Sino-Foreign university in China and is focused on offering a globally leading Health & Fitness service to all our customers.

In September 2027, the University will open its new ‘Clubhouse’ which has been designed to offer sport, health and fitness in a completely new and innovative way in global Higher Education. The H&F Manager is crucial to the success of this new service offer and delivering exceptional health and fitness experiences to all of our customers.

As a member of the Sport Senior Leadership Team, the H&F Manager will have responsibilities that fall into four main areas and include the design, planning, training implementation and effective management of all four. These are our Gym, Group Exercise programme, Strength and Conditioning programmes and Health and Wellbeing services which from 2027 will include RESTORE, a new facility which includes Sauna, Steam room, Hydrotherapy and Cold Plunge Pools.

The H&F Manager will ensure all programmes are planned in detail, using the sport framework and Development Pathway the university has developed to encourage engagement and maintain retention. The programmes will all be fully aligned and optimised digitally to ensure we are accurately recording data and putting it at the core of our decision-making process. They will meet the highest standards of industry best practice and meet all statutory health and safety requirements.

Whilst managing the day to day operations of the gym and fitness facilities, the H&F Manager will also lead and motivate a team of full time and part time fitness staff.

Your Responsibility

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Health & Fitness, with responsibility for Gym, Group Exercise, Strength & Conditioning and Health & Wellbeing services, and the teams which deliver them.
• Create and deliver annual Health & Fitness plans, including full timetabling, performance tracking, evaluation and achievement of agreed outcomes and KPI’s.
• Lead Health & Safety governance, including the development and implementation of policies, procedures, risk assessments and risk reduction strategies across all areas of responsibility.
• Manage Health & Fitness budgets and income generation, identifying annual resource needs, allocation of funds and new commercial opportunities to achieve financial targets.
• Recruit, lead, motivate and develop a highly skilled H&F team, ensuring minimum staffing levels, effective rotas, appraisals, training, CPD and integration of KPI’s into individual workplans.
• Ensure outstanding day‑to‑day operation of gym and fitness facilities, maintaining the highest standards of service, cleanliness, equipment maintenance and customer experience.
• Design, deliver and review a balanced and progressive programme, aligned to the University Development Pathway (Level 1–4), embedding inclusion, accessibility and evidence‑based practice throughout.
• Drive service innovation and development, introducing new initiatives and globally recognised brands (e.g. Les Mills, Hyrox), informed by industry trends, data, research and user insight.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including university departments, students, staff, third‑party suppliers and external partners, to enhance participation, wellbeing and engagement.
• Lead performance analysis, reporting and promotion, producing regular management reports and annual reviews, maintaining digital systems and dashboards, and supporting events, marketing, retention and member engagement activity.

About You

Essential

• A good bachlor’s degree in a Sport/Health and Fitness appropriate area.
• NVQ II in Gym instruction or equivalent. 
• Strategic H&F leader able to align plans across a multi‑dimensional environment and contribute at Sport SLT (Senior Leadership Team) level.
• Proven experience managing Health & Fitness facilities, with strong knowledge of gym equipment, procedures and safe practice.
• Inclusive, collegiate leader who motivates teams to exceed service targets and deliver Gym, S&C and Group Exercise sessions.
• Commercially minded, with experience in income generation, budget management and growing membership, participation and retention.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, able to engage members, present information clearly and influence stakeholders.
• Innovative and self‑motivated, with strong project management skills and a positive approach to change.
• Confident using digital sport systems and analysing data to manage performance, targets and reporting.
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, with a clear understanding of barriers to access and inclusive active recreation.

Desirable

• A master’s degree or above from an institute of higher education. 
• Ability to communicate in mandarin.
• Membership of a relevant leisure or sports management institute. 
• LesMills qualification / accreditation or equivalent.
• Good IT skills.
• Basic website editing.
• Ability to produce basic marketing material.
• Proven record of optimizing retention rates in sport, and, or health and fitness.
• Knowledge of Health & Wellbeing Services/Spa Services.
• Delivery of elite athlete or team S&C at a Higher Education or Professional Level.

About Us

Join a unique British University in China. The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) was the first Sino-foreign university to open its doors in China. This award winning campus offering a UK style education has grown to establish a student body of over 10,000 in 22 years.

Your Remuneration, Benefits and Support

The post will be offered on a fixed term contract for 3 years and a probation of 6 months with University of Nottingham Ningbo China. We are committed to providing competitive employment packages while supporting the wellbeing of our staff to help them reach their full potential.

How to Apply 

Applicants wishing to apply for a vacancy should submit the following documents by email to: job@nottingham.edu.cn before 2 August 2026 at 23:59 (Beijing Time).

Please include:

• Vacancy reference number & title
• English Resume
• Application Form
• Cover Letter

Equality and Diversity

University of Nottingham Ningbo China is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff. It is our intention to ensure that job applicants and staff are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, age*, socio-economic background, disability, religious or political beliefs, trade union membership, family circumstances, sexual orientation or other irrelevant distinction.

Attachment: Job Description/Role Profile

Attachment: Application Form