Area Operations Manager

Role overview

This senior operations leadership position is based in Doha, Qatar and covers multiple sites across a region, with travel required between venues. The role sits within the Operations department and reports to the General Manager. It is a permanent full-time position in the hospitality, fitness, and wellness sector.

The main purpose of the role is to steer the day-to-day running of a portfolio of fitness, wellness, and hospitality locations, keeping standards consistent, improving guest and member experiences, delivering financial goals, and building strong site leadership teams. The Area Operations Manager serves as the key connection between individual venue leaders and senior regional or executive management.

Operational leadership

You will be accountable for keeping all locations aligned with brand expectations, health and safety rules, and company procedures. The role includes regular venue visits, operational reviews, and follow-up actions to close performance gaps. A further priority is to create, update, and embed standard operating procedures across the portfolio while protecting a consistently strong experience for guests and members.

Financial and commercial accountability

Ownership of the area P&L is a core part of the job. You will focus on growing revenue, controlling expenses, and meeting EBITDA objectives. The role also involves reviewing monthly financial statements, performance indicators, and membership data to spot trends and respond quickly to shortfalls. Commercial initiatives may include membership growth, wellness offerings, personal training, and spa or food and beverage revenue where relevant. You will also help build annual budgets and forecasts with the finance team.

People leadership and team development

This position requires you to guide, coach, and develop Site and Club Managers while encouraging accountability, strong performance, and wellbeing. You will oversee hiring, onboarding, and retention for key roles across the sites, carry out regular performance reviews, and put development plans in place for managers and important team members. Working with learning and development, you will also identify training needs and help ensure teams remain capable, motivated, and aligned with the brand.

Guest and member experience

A major part of the role is to build a service culture that consistently delivers excellent guest and member experiences. You will monitor Net Promoter Scores, satisfaction surveys, and online feedback, then take action to improve service quality and ratings. Escalated complaints and service issues will need to be handled quickly, professionally, and with care. You will also support initiatives that improve retention, engagement, and community building.

Health, safety, and compliance

All sites must operate safely and legally, and you will ensure compliance with health, safety, and hygiene obligations, including fire safety, COSHH, and pool water quality standards where relevant. The role includes regular H&S audits, timely resolution of risks and incidents, and keeping risk assessments, emergency procedures, and staff certifications current. You will also ensure compliance with data protection requirements and any applicable licensing obligations.

Strategy and project involvement

In addition to daily operations, you will contribute practical insight and market awareness to strategic planning. The role may involve leading or supporting capital upgrades, refurbishments, or new venue launches within the area. You will also assess opportunities to improve efficiency, introduce better technology, and enhance services, while working closely with Sales, Marketing, HR, Finance, and Facilities teams.

Experience and qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring at least five years of management experience in fitness, wellness, leisure, or hospitality. You should have managed multiple sites or departments at the same time and delivered results against commercial and operational targets such as revenue, membership, and NPS. Strong leadership, team development, budgeting, P&L ownership, and financial analysis skills are essential, along with a sound understanding of compliance and safety requirements in hospitality or leisure settings.

Preferred background includes a degree or professional qualification in Business, Leisure Management, Sports Science, Hospitality, or a related field. Experience with spa, wellness, or premium hospitality operations is beneficial, as is familiarity with membership management systems such as Jonas, Legend, Mindbody, or similar platforms. Previous involvement in refurbishments or new site openings is an advantage, and First Aid at Work plus Pool Plant Operator qualifications are desirable.

Benefits

The position offers a competitive salary with a performance-linked bonus. Additional benefits include complimentary membership and wellness access across the group’s venues, opportunities for career development in a growing organisation, and either a company vehicle or car allowance depending on the role. A comprehensive health and wellbeing package is also included, along with a collaborative, energetic team environment.

Additional information

Employment is full-time and permanent. The role is site-based across multiple locations, and regional travel is required.