Group Fitness and Classes Coordinator Job Vacancy in UAE Dubai
We are the original ?redbrick? University, part of the prestigious Russell Group; our thriving student population enjoys a wide range of courses, and exceptional campus and research facilities. |
The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.
We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.
Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.
The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.
Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham
Role Summary
To deliver a comprehensive administrative and operational support service as lead coordinator of UoB Sport and Fitness?s class programme for all ages and abilities, focussed especially on group exercise classes for 14+. The role is extremely varied day to day, and includes line management of over 50 casual and contracted members of staff -each whom work anywhere between 1 and 10 hours a week across 7 days, 6am-10pm. This role will also lead on exciting outreach projects for Sport & Fitness members, and for UoB staff & students across Campus and beyond. The Participation Development Officer (PDO) will work closely with the Participation Development Manager (PDM) in the day to day running, overseeing of quality, staff development and overall development of instructor-led programmes. There is high level of customer service required for the role, as well as patience, kindness, and administrative attention to detail. The successful candidate will be highly motivated to continuously improve the inclusive and accessible nature of our diverse offering, with the overarching objective of increasing participation across all user groups. They will be keen to support all areas of the Participation department, which also includes swimming lessons and casual sport opportunities for all abilities.
Main Duties
Administration, communication and operational support
To lead on the day to day excellence of the class programme at University of Birmingham Sport and Fitness. This programme includes over 150 classes a week during term time, and over 80 classes a week out of University term time. This includes the management of over 50 contracted and casual instructors, in coordination with the PDM.
Responsible for organising class cover for instructors, including liaison with customers, colleagues and background administration. To lead on effective communication between UoBSport and class instructors, wider UoBSport staff and UOB (University of Birmingham) staff/departments
Strong focus over the next 3 years to support the Participation team to actively increase the number of students and staff who engage in physical activity, either at Sport & Fitness, on campus and beyond.
To lead on payroll for instructors through New Core (payroll systems) including initial setup (Right to Work and DBS checks) and then monthly timecard uploads to ensure correct pay.
To be the main point of contact for Class instructor payroll queries in liaison with HR and Worklink.
Constantly monitor the quality of classes via mystery shops, utilising activators and Participation Ambassadors where appropriate.
Follow-up on quality control checks with relevant instructor 1:1 meetings, providing feedback where necessary and communicating concerns/facility issues to relevant staff.
Lead on all class configurations via our internal customer booking system and database, Gladstone Plus2.
Responsible for recruitment and induction of instructors and coaches to ensure a diverse workforce and varied, sustainable class programme in partnership with PDM. Process incoming and outgoing emails, circulating relevant information as necessary to instructors, coaches and staff.
Liaise frequently with UoBSport Marketing to highlight areas that require marketing support i.e. new initiatives, campaigns, low capacity sessions.
Responsible for regularly reviewing and providing updates to the participation web pages in liaison with UoB Sport?s Marketing team.
Promote Participation opportunities at UOB and UoBSport events such as open days, welcome week, Sports Fair, health and wellbeing days, BUCS participation network events etc.
Assisting in the preparation and production of promotional information and member updates, including collating/ formatting communication
Manage disciplinary issues raised with instructors after consultation with the PDM, collating reports and evidence as needed.
Attend/ lead on participation meetings and events where applicable, both internal and external to UoBSport.
Place orders for equipment in a rolling replacement across all studios.
Training, Development and Partnership working
To work with the PDM in developing and delivering training programmes for instructors, coaches, casual staff
Design and prepare training materials and presentations for staff meetings and training days
Actively encourage instructors and coaches in their career development, and support them in attending specialist workshops and training courses
Observe and/or participate in classes or training sessions in order to provide individual feedback for instructors and coaches, to further support their professional development.
Work closely with PDM and relevant internal (i.e. Memberships, Fitness) and Group Exercise partners (e.g. UKActive, Les Mills, etc.) to implement appropriate initiatives throughout the year.
Participate in internal and external networks for the benefit of increasing participation in physical activity at UOB.
Work with the Sports Officer at the Guild to increase participation across campus, and colleagues across the University to ensure a consistent and enthusiastic approach to physical activity opportunities on campus.
Health & Safety
Review and update participation programme risk assessments on the central database, and ensure all instructors are lopped into changes.
Inform the Health and Safety advisor of new/ forthcoming initiatives, and represent Participation on the UoBSport Health & Safety Committee
Ensure all instructors and coaches are kept up to date with H&S procedures, with up to date training records and qualifications
To be responsible for ensuring participation policies and procedures are updated as necessary, circulating them to members of relevant staff
Adherence to duty of care/ safeguarding policies and practices.
Other Duties
Provide cover for other Participation staff where appropriate.
Regular check-ups on studio spaces, and willingness to tidy and move equipment, and to fix sound issues as arise.
To deputise for the PDM at appropriate and relevant meetings.
To update PDM and other relevant staff via team briefings and written monthly reports on actions undertaken and developments proposed
Actively participate in Team Meetings, 1:1s and personal development reviews; agree objectives and work within agreed timescales
Maintain and develop accurate and efficient records for all class cover lists, payroll, annual leave, sickness, timetable planning, etc.
Undertake any other duties that may reasonably be required and which can be accommodated within the post holder?s grading
Work flexible hours as required, which may include some evenings and weekends, with advance discussion with the wider team and PDM
Person Specification
Dedication to providing inclusive and accessible options for all users across our services, with a natural consideration for all ability levels and customer backgrounds.
Strong moral compass, and ability to be firm, fast and practical whilst remaining kind, considerate and patient.
Confident in enforcing policies and procedures whilst remaining sensitive to each individual?s communications needs.
Happy to work as part of a dynamic, friendly and multi-functional team
Strong desire to develop student, staff and customer experience within physical activity, working collaboratively with colleagues across UoB
Qualified to GCSE or A level standard, or alternative
Extensive demonstrable knowledge, aptitude or experience working with computer based systems, including word processing, spreadsheets and databases. Confident approach to learning and mastering new systems.
Any experience line managing staff, volunteers, instructors, coaches or activity leaders
Fitness qualification (ETM, Les Mills, Level 2 Fitness Instructor/ Gym Instructor, etc.) and/ or understanding/ knowledge of the Group Exercise industry, or willingness to train in any class programme (not necessarily to deliver) as an instructor
Coaching /officiating qualifications for any sport or physical activity
Excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills: able to plan effectively for the week, month and year ahead.
Experience in resolving conflicts proactively and positively.
Ability to work under own initiative and manage sudden urgent tasks alongside main workload.
A thorough commitment to delivering a high-quality service to a wide range of customers, remaining approachable and helpful to all staff and customers.
Ability to identify risks and dynamically resolve health and safety issues.
Keen to continually develop and improve processes and procedures, catering for changing environments
Happy to work closely with the PDM and the Participation Development Officers whilst learning the role; confident in asking for support and to fly independently
Strong interest in widening accessibility and inclusivity, especially for under-represented groups.