Wellness & Recreational Director - on behalf of a client
LOCATION: DIFC, Dubai
SALARY: Depending on experience
ABOUT US
Our brand-new and exclusive members club, located in the heart of Dubai, offers a private world of unparalleled connections. Representing a new pinnacle of sophistication and elegance in the region, the club sets itself apart as a carefully curated membership offering, fusing Emirati cultural nuance with timeless heritage hospitality. We are committed to providing exceptional service and creating unforgettable experiences for our distinguished members.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Wellness & Recreation Director is responsible for the strategic leadership, commercial performance and operational excellence of the Club's wellness and recreation offering. This includes the gym, padel courts, recovery facilities, longevity hub, personal training, group programming and associated member services.
The role is both strategic and operational: setting the long-term wellness vision for the Club while ensuring daily delivery meets the standards expected of a premium private members environment in Dubai.
The successful candidate will combine commercial acumen, luxury hospitality sensibility and deep sector expertise in high-performance fitness, recovery and longevity.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
- Define and deliver a clear wellness and recreation strategy aligned with the Club's brand positioning and member demographic.
- Curate a differentiated, forward-thinking wellness proposition (including longevity, recovery and performance optimisation).
- Identify partnerships with leading practitioners, clinicians, biohacking specialists and performance brands where appropriate.
- Continually benchmark against leading international private clubs and wellness destinations.
Commercial & Financial Performance
- Drive revenue across: Personal training, padel programming and tournaments, longevity diagnostics and services, recovery treatments, and retail (supplements, apparel, performance products)
- Optimise pricing strategy in line with market positioning and member expectations.
- Monitor KPIs including utilisation rates, secondary spend per member, retention and contribution margin.
Operations & Service Standards
- Oversee day-to-day operations of: Gym and performance training floor, padel courts, cold plunge and recovery facilities, longevity hub and consultation spaces
- Ensure immaculate presentation, safety compliance and equipment maintenance.
- Implement SOPs consistent with luxury hospitality standards.
- Ensure full compliance with UAE health, safety and regulatory requirements.
Programming & Member Experience
- Design and oversee a calendar of wellness programming including: Group training and specialist classes, padel leagues and tournaments, longevity seminars and workshops, performance clinics and guest practitioner events
- Create personalised wellness pathways for members, integrating fitness, recovery and longevity services.
- Maintain strong, visible engagement with members; act as a thought leader and ambassador for the Club's wellness proposition.
Team Leadership & Talent Development
- Recruit, train and lead a high-calibre team including: Personal trainers, padel coaches, recovery specialists, longevity practitioners
- Establish performance standards and service culture aligned with a private members club environment.
Longevity & Performance Integration
- Oversee the development of the longevity hub, including diagnostics, performance testing and recovery protocols.
- Ensure services are credible, evidence-based and delivered by appropriately qualified professionals.
- Build referral relationships where medical oversight is required.
- Position the Club as a leader in performance optimisation and preventative wellness within the Dubai market.
REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum 810 years leadership experience in luxury wellness, private members clubs, high-end fitness facilities or integrated health environments.
- Demonstrable commercial responsibility (P&L ownership preferred).
- Experience launching or scaling performance, recovery or longevity offerings is highly desirable.
- Recognised fitness or performance certifications.
- Additional qualifications in longevity, recovery science or functional health.
- Strong cultural intelligence and understanding of the UAE market.
- Must be currently based in Dubai or available to relocate to Dubai and for full-time work.
