Vitality Academy Manager at Discovery Limited

Key Purpose

 The Vitality Academy Manager is a key role that will connect Vitality, the Team Vitality Executive Committee with the community of Team Vitality runners and cyclists as well as ensure that we have a far reach and impact in the communities in which we operate by making our facilities available to these community groups.

A successful Academy Manager will leverage their experience, building and engaging with passionate user communities in conversations through various channels (mainly social media), maintaining a constant pulse on the community sentiment; whilst collecting and actioning consumer feedback. Furthermore, the Manager will manage our dedicated facility which will be accessible to the community- driving and promoting the use of a safe and accessible environment  for various stakeholders.

The Manager will be also be responsible for driving member conversations mainly through STRAVA and WhatsApp, and serve as the liaison between the community of Team Vitality and the Team Vitality management. As the Vitality Academy will also be the home of the Team vitality Running Club, the Manager will collaborate closely with our cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and consistency when driving community engagement as well as Vitality races and events.

The Academy Manager will be responsible for developing and maintaining great relationships with key industry stakeholders (i.e. Athletics South Africa and its regional affiliates), community bodies such as schools and other sporting associations, ECD practitioners etc

Areas of responsibility may include but not limited to:

• Be the voice of the Vitality Academy including Team Vitality and the community; and protector of the brand - drive the strategy and engagement plans for Team Vitality and the Academy on social media platforms where Vitality has a presence

• Assess concepts and strategise the Vitality Academy against Team Vitality member insights,  the broad running and cycling community trends as well as the community needs

• Continuously create new member and community experiences that accelerate Team Vitality brand, membership growth opportunities and community sentiment

• Manage Team Vitality collaborations with external stakeholders as required

• Support the end-to-end process to gain insights from Team Vitality running and cycling communities to inform the annual strategy and brand plans

• Work cross-functionally with marketing; wellness; data operations, partner operations team and facilities to ensure seamless execution for all initiatives

• Monitor initiative execution, facilitate feedback process with the cross-functional teams

• Communicate successes and share learnings to further enhance Team Vitality’s member proposition as well engagement with the Academy in drawing in the community

• Participate in and facilitate Team Vitality and the Academy programmes including workshops, awards events and launches where Vitality presence is required.

• Partner with marketing to support the Academy’s product positioning; brand and marketing plans

• Moderate community conversation and promote positive conversation by maintaining a two-way dialogue between our runners and cyclists, the community stakeholders and key team Vitality stakeholders

• Managing social media channels for Team Vitality related content in conjunction with Team Vitality marketing and social media teams

• Stay informed of industry environment (ASA) and competitor activities

• Manage the team of Ambassadors within Team Vitality across our major geographic areas

• Co-ordinate the initial set up of safe running routes as well as the weekly time trials and all Vitality sponsored races/events

Personal Attributes and Skills

• Enthusiastic

• Good problem solving skills

• Attention to detail

• Relentless focus on execution

• Ability to build relationships and network

• Able to manage multiple stakeholders

• Excellent presentation skills.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree; special interest in health and wellness

• Experience managing a running/cycling club will be highly advantageous

• Passion for Vitality and Team Vitality brands

• Experience in brand marketing of lifestyle brands would be advantageous

• Confident knowledge of Team Vitality; including running and cycling community cultures

• Strong verbal and written communication skills including meeting facilitation and the confidence to give presentations

• Experience in programme management

• Ability to clearly articulate goals and objectives

• Ability to understand challenges or underlying concerns, share ideas and develop effective responses or elevate to higher management 

• Ability to travel within different provinces where Team Vitality is represented – attend in person races and sponsorship events over weekends

 Employment Equity  

The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY   
                             
The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.