Health and Fitness Manager
- University of Canterbury
- New Zealand, CAN
- Oct 12, 2026
Job Description:
Te Ratonga Hākinakina | University of Canterbury Recreation and Sport
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand
• Lead the future direction of fitness and group exercise for Takurua
• Create inclusive programmes that inspire greater participation
• Attractive remuneration and comprehensive UC employee benefits
Create a fitness experience where every student can feel welcome, participate and belong.
Build the future of Health and Fitness at UC
Takurua creates the space to think differently about how students engage with fitness, movement and their own wellbeing.
The University of Canterbury is seeking an experienced Health and Fitness Manager to shape an inclusive, relevant and engaging service for the new facility. This is an opportunity to build on successful programmes, listen closely to students and introduce experiences that encourage lasting participation.
About the University of Canterbury
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury is a large, research-led university with more than 27,000 students and a proud history extending over 150 years.
UC’s values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and tiakitanga influence how its people work together, care for others and responsibly manage the resources entrusted to them.
Nearly twice the size of the current Recreation Centre, Takurua will bring together indoor and outdoor sport, fitness, group exercise, social and recovery spaces, counselling and allied health services within a modern and accessible campus environment.
Learn more about Takurua: Takurua - new student facility | UC
About the Role
Reporting to the Takurua Centre Director, the Health and Fitness Manager will lead UC’s fitness, group exercise and wellbeing-focused programmes.
You will lead experienced practitioners and established services, while gaining the space and scope to test new ideas, respond to student needs and expand the range and reach of the offering within Takurua.
The role will lead a diverse team of fitness consultants, group fitness instructors and trainees. Your focus will be on further developing their capability and creativity while ensuring programmes remain safe, inclusive, well organised and relevant to the university community.
Key Areas of Focus
• Shape the future fitness and group exercise offering for Takurua.
• Design inclusive programmes that encourage participation and retention.
• Lead, develop and support a diverse team of fitness professionals.
• Use student insight, participation trends and feedback to refine services.
• Maintain high standards of safety, quality and professional practice.
• Connect fitness services with UC’s wider recreation and wellbeing priorities.
About You
You will bring a strong technical understanding of health and fitness, but your impact will extend well beyond your own expertise.
You will know how to lead other practitioners, turn ideas into well-designed programmes and create an environment where students with different motivations, abilities and levels of confidence feel welcome.
You will bring:
• Leadership experience within fitness, recreation, wellbeing or a related service.
• The ability to develop programmes that engage diverse participant groups.
• An inclusive and culturally responsive approach to leadership, programme design and member experience.
• Experience building the capability and performance of specialist employees.
• A strong understanding of member experience, safety and professional standards.
• Curiosity and confidence to test, evaluate and improve service offerings.
• A relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent recognised qualification.
You will be creative and open to new ideas, while remaining grounded in evidence, student needs and practical delivery. Importantly, you will recognise the expertise already within the team and create the conditions for people to contribute their best thinking.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
Opportunities to shape a health and fitness service of this scale before a new facility opens are uncommon. UC offers a 37.5-hour working week, five weeks’ annual leave for continuing staff and five additional University holidays each year.
You will influence the programmes, team culture and member experience that will define health and fitness at UC for years to come. With new spaces, increased capacity and a diverse student population, there is genuine scope to create services that reach people who may not currently see recreation or fitness as being for them.
To Apply
Bishop Associates are managing this recruitment process - do not apply via the UC vacancies website. If you wish to discuss this role further or have a confidential conversation, contact Mel Eradus at Bishop Associates on 03 265 0668.
Applications close 28 October 2026.
To apply please visit https://nz.seek.com/job/95194859
This role is based on site.
Job Details
| Reference # | 34365 |
| Posted on | 12 Oct 2026 |
| Closes on | 28 Oct 2026 23:55 |
| Location(s) | Christchurch |
| Expertise | Sports |
| Job level(s) | Experienced, Management |
| Work type(s) | Continuing (Permanent) full-time |
| More details (document) | PD_Health and Fitness Manager.pdf |
| Position description 1 | |
| Position description 2 | |
| Position description 3 | |
| Position description 4 |
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Job Description:
Te Ratonga Hākinakina | University of Canterbury Recreation and Sport
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand
• Lead the future direction of fitness and group exercise for Takurua
• Create inclusive programmes that inspire greater participation
• Attractive remuneration and comprehensive UC employee benefits
Create a fitness experience where every student can feel welcome, participate and belong.
Build the future of Health and Fitness at UC
Takurua creates the space to think differently about how students engage with fitness, movement and their own wellbeing.
The University of Canterbury is seeking an experienced Health and Fitness Manager to shape an inclusive, relevant and engaging service for the new facility. This is an opportunity to build on successful programmes, listen closely to students and introduce experiences that encourage lasting participation.
About the University of Canterbury
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury is a large, research-led university with more than 27,000 students and a proud history extending over 150 years.
UC’s values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and tiakitanga influence how its people work together, care for others and responsibly manage the resources entrusted to them.
Nearly twice the size of the current Recreation Centre, Takurua will bring together indoor and outdoor sport, fitness, group exercise, social and recovery spaces, counselling and allied health services within a modern and accessible campus environment.
Learn more about Takurua: Takurua - new student facility | UC
About the Role
Reporting to the Takurua Centre Director, the Health and Fitness Manager will lead UC’s fitness, group exercise and wellbeing-focused programmes.
You will lead experienced practitioners and established services, while gaining the space and scope to test new ideas, respond to student needs and expand the range and reach of the offering within Takurua.
The role will lead a diverse team of fitness consultants, group fitness instructors and trainees. Your focus will be on further developing their capability and creativity while ensuring programmes remain safe, inclusive, well organised and relevant to the university community.
Key Areas of Focus
• Shape the future fitness and group exercise offering for Takurua.
• Design inclusive programmes that encourage participation and retention.
• Lead, develop and support a diverse team of fitness professionals.
• Use student insight, participation trends and feedback to refine services.
• Maintain high standards of safety, quality and professional practice.
• Connect fitness services with UC’s wider recreation and wellbeing priorities.
About You
You will bring a strong technical understanding of health and fitness, but your impact will extend well beyond your own expertise.
You will know how to lead other practitioners, turn ideas into well-designed programmes and create an environment where students with different motivations, abilities and levels of confidence feel welcome.
You will bring:
• Leadership experience within fitness, recreation, wellbeing or a related service.
• The ability to develop programmes that engage diverse participant groups.
• An inclusive and culturally responsive approach to leadership, programme design and member experience.
• Experience building the capability and performance of specialist employees.
• A strong understanding of member experience, safety and professional standards.
• Curiosity and confidence to test, evaluate and improve service offerings.
• A relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent recognised qualification.
You will be creative and open to new ideas, while remaining grounded in evidence, student needs and practical delivery. Importantly, you will recognise the expertise already within the team and create the conditions for people to contribute their best thinking.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
Opportunities to shape a health and fitness service of this scale before a new facility opens are uncommon. UC offers a 37.5-hour working week, five weeks’ annual leave for continuing staff and five additional University holidays each year.
You will influence the programmes, team culture and member experience that will define health and fitness at UC for years to come. With new spaces, increased capacity and a diverse student population, there is genuine scope to create services that reach people who may not currently see recreation or fitness as being for them.
To Apply
Bishop Associates are managing this recruitment process - do not apply via the UC vacancies website. If you wish to discuss this role further or have a confidential conversation, contact Mel Eradus at Bishop Associates on 03 265 0668.
Applications close 28 October 2026.
To apply please visit https://nz.seek.com/job/95194859
This role is based on site.
Job Details
| Reference # | 34365 |
| Posted on | 12 Oct 2026 |
| Closes on | 28 Oct 2026 23:55 |
| Location(s) | Christchurch |
| Expertise | Sports |
| Job level(s) | Experienced, Management |
| Work type(s) | Continuing (Permanent) full-time |
| More details (document) | PD_Health and Fitness Manager.pdf |
| Position description 1 | |
| Position description 2 | |
| Position description 3 | |
| Position description 4 |
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