Business Operations Manager

Job Description

$75,000 – $85,000 per year + quarterly bonuses

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Run one of South Australia's largest and fastest-growing combat sports gyms, and play a part in live fight events. A predominantly daytime role with a four-day core week and genuine flexibility on Friday and Saturday.

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You'll run the engine room of a busy, well-established gym: systems, team, members and numbers. The strategic direction and growth plans are set by the owner. Your job is to bring them to life, while ensuring the day-to-day operation runs smoothly, the team is supported and members have a consistently great experience.

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Key responsibilities

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Partner with the Owner/Director: Work closely on operational performance, marketing, membership growth and retention, business development and expansion, providing input and turning strategic priorities into effective execution. You will be provided support and guidance but empowered to manage autonomously.

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Oversee marketing and content: Manage the gym's social media accounts and work with our videographer and photographer partners to keep a steady flow of quality content that grows the brand and supports membership.

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Lead the team: Act as the direct line manager for the Member Experience Coordinator, front desk staff and coaching coordinators, providing clear leadership, accountability and support across the team. Coaching coordinators oversee their respective casual coaches, so no direct coaching experience is required.

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Own business performance: Track and report on key metrics across membership, retention, revenue and operational performance, using the numbers to identify trends, opportunities and areas for improvement.

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Oversee gym operations and facilities: Manage rostering, scheduling, suppliers and day-to-day operational processes while ensuring the facility is safe, well-presented, fully operational and running smoothly. Oversee cleaning staff, maintenance, equipment and supplies to maintain a consistently high standard.

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Champion the member experience and community: Take a people-focused approach to creating a welcoming, high-performing environment where the team is supported, members feel valued and strong standards are maintained across the business.

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Manage business systems: Oversee and maintain key business software and systems, including CRM, Xero and other operational platforms, ensuring they are accurate, efficient and used effectively by the team.

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Lead event operations: Oversee the planning, coordination and delivery of key events including grading days, open days and community events, while working closely with the dedicated Element Fight Night team around major event periods.

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Hold the standard high: Set and maintain a consistently high bar across everything, from the training floor to the front desk.

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About you

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You're an experienced people and operations leader. You've successfully managed a busy, customer or member-focused environment, whether that's a gym, club, venue, hospitality business, retail operation or similar, and you're ready to take ownership at Lead Manager level.

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You're genuinely good with people. You know how to build relationships, lead and support a team, have direct conversations when needed, and create an environment where both staff and members feel valued.

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You're highly organised and operationally switched-on. You naturally bring structure to moving parts, stay across the details and make sure things get done properly and on time.

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You take ownership. You're proactive, solutions-focused and comfortable making decisions, following things through and turning plans into action without needing to be constantly managed.

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You're commercially minded. You understand that a great member experience and a strong business go hand-in-hand, and you're comfortable working with targets, numbers and accountability around growth, retention and performance.

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You're confident with systems and technology. You're comfortable working across business software and digital platforms and can quickly learn new tools and processes.

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You care about culture and community. You'll be visible and engaged within the gym, take pride in the environment we create and understand the importance of building a strong community around the business.

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You're flexible when it matters. While the role is predominantly daytime, you're happy to occasionally adjust your hours to support the team, key gym events and Element Fight Night.

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Martial arts experience is a bonus, not a requirement. We care far more about your ability to lead people, run a strong operation and contribute positively to the Element community.

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Requirements

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A current First Aid certificate and Working With Children Check, or willingness to obtain both before starting.

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About us

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Element Martial Arts is one of SA's premier combat sports academies, home to around 600 members (and growing) training across Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Kickboxing, Wrestling and MMA. Based in Gepps Cross, we've grown into a thriving seven-figure business with a real community at its core and serious ambitions ahead, including expanding our current site and opening additional locations. We also run Element Fight Night, our own live MMA event promotion that runs combat sports events throughout the year.

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Base salary of $75,000 to $85,000 plus superannuation, depending on experience

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A performance bonus tied to growth and retention, with genuine upside for strong performers

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A full-time, 38-hour-per-week, predominantly daytime role. Core hours 10:00am to 6:00pm, Monday to Thursday, with your fifth working day either Friday or Saturday, or split across the two.

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Family-friendly and genuinely flexible. We ask for flexibility and we give it back, including daytime flex for school events and the like

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Empowered to lead, not managed. We hire people we trust and get out of their way. The Owner is around for support and big-picture calls, not day-to-day micromanagement.

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Free gym membership across all our programs

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A growing business with a clear path to greater responsibility as we expand

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A tight-knit, high-energy team and a community you'll be proud to lead