Job Description/Specification:
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Kids Martial Arts Academy Manager to lead the daily operations, programme development, and business growth of a premier children's martial arts academy. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader with expertise in youth sports, martial arts instruction, academy management, and customer engagement to shape a safe, inspiring, and high-performance learning environment for children aged 4–17 years.
The successful candidate will oversee academy operations, manage coaching teams, drive student enrolment and retention, maintain exceptional coaching standards, and promote a culture of discipline, confidence, respect, and personal development through martial arts.
About This Role
As the Kids Martial Arts Academy Manager, you will be responsible for leading all operational, coaching, customer service, and commercial activities of the academy. You will work closely with instructors, parents, students, and marketing teams to ensure outstanding programme delivery while achieving business objectives and fostering long-term academy growth.
Key Responsibilities
🏆 Academy Operations & Programme Management
- Oversee the daily operations of the martial arts academy to ensure efficient programme delivery.
- Develop and implement operational policies, procedures, and academy standards.
- Manage class schedules, facility usage, equipment, and instructor allocations.
- Ensure a clean, safe, and professional training environment.
- Continuously improve operational processes to enhance the student and parent experience.
🥋 Martial Arts Programme Development
- Design and oversee structured martial arts programmes for children aged 4–17 years.
- Develop age-appropriate curriculum pathways, grading systems, and student progression plans.
- Ensure coaching sessions promote technical skills, discipline, confidence, teamwork, and personal growth.
- Monitor programme quality through regular class observations and coaching evaluations.
- Maintain consistency across all martial arts disciplines offered by the academy.
👥 Leadership & Staff Management
- Recruit, train, mentor, and supervise martial arts instructors and academy staff.
- Establish coaching standards, performance expectations, and professional development plans.
- Conduct regular team meetings, coaching workshops, and performance reviews.
- Manage staff scheduling, attendance, and operational responsibilities.
- Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performance team culture.
😊 Student & Parent Experience
- Deliver an exceptional experience for students and their families.
- Build strong relationships with parents through regular communication and feedback.
- Monitor student attendance, engagement, progression, and retention.
- Resolve parent concerns and student issues professionally and promptly.
- Organize competitions, grading events, recognition programmes, and community activities.
📈 Sales, Marketing & Business Development
- Develop strategies to increase student enrolment, trial conversions, and membership retention.
- Work with the marketing team to execute promotional campaigns and community outreach programmes.
- Build partnerships with schools, sports clubs, community organizations, and corporate partners.
- Support academy open days, demonstrations, and special events.
- Promote the academy's brand within the local community.
📊 Performance Management & Reporting
- Monitor operational, financial, and coaching KPIs.
- Prepare regular reports on student enrolment, retention, attendance, revenue, and instructor performance.
- Analyse academy performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure curriculum delivery aligns with academy objectives and industry best practices.
🛡️ Health, Safety & Child Protection
- Maintain compliance with child safeguarding and health & safety regulations.
- Implement risk management procedures for all martial arts programmes.
- Ensure instructors follow appropriate supervision and coaching protocols.
- Maintain accurate attendance records, incident reports, and student documentation.
- Promote a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.
Minimum Requirements
Education
- Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management, Physical Education, Sports Science, Business Management, or a related field is preferred.
Experience
- Minimum 3 years of experience managing a martial arts academy, sports academy, children's fitness centre, or youth sports programme.
- Proven leadership experience managing instructors, coaches, or operational teams.
- Experience in customer service, membership management, and business growth.
Martial Arts Qualifications (Preferred)
- Black Belt or advanced rank in one or more recognised martial arts disciplines:
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
- Muay Thai
- Kickboxing
- MMA
- Boxing
- Taekwondo
- Karate
- Children's martial arts coaching certification is highly desirable.
- Youth coaching or sports development certification is an advantage.
Preferred Skills
- Strong leadership and people management abilities.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Knowledge of child development and youth coaching methodologies.
- Sales, marketing, and membership growth experience.
- Strong organisational and operational management skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment.
Technical Skills
- Martial Arts Coaching
- Academy Operations
- Youth Sports Development
- Curriculum Planning
- Team Leadership
- Membership Management
- KPI Reporting
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
- Event Coordination
- Microsoft Office Suite
Core Competencies
- Leadership
- Coaching & Mentoring
- Customer Service Excellence
- Communication
- Team Building
- Strategic Planning
- Problem Solving
- Decision Making
- Organisation
- Results Orientation
Who Can Apply?
This opportunity is ideal for professionals currently working as:
- Martial Arts Academy Manager
- Sports Academy Manager
- Head Martial Arts Instructor
- Youth Sports Manager
- Fitness Club Manager
- Sports Programme Manager
- Martial Arts Coach
- Club Operations Manager
- Children's Sports Coordinator
- Recreation Centre Manager
Candidates from the Martial Arts, Sports, Fitness, Recreation, Education, Youth Development, Health & Wellness, and Community Sports sectors are encouraged to apply.
CV Tips
Highlight:
- Experience managing martial arts academies or children's sports programmes.
- Leadership of coaching teams and instructor development.
- Student enrolment growth, retention improvements, and customer satisfaction achievements.
- Curriculum development, grading systems, and youth coaching experience.
- Community engagement, events, and partnership development.
Application Tips
- Quantify your achievements by including membership growth, student retention rates, revenue increases, number of instructors managed, or successful academy programmes delivered.
- Highlight expertise in children's coaching, curriculum planning, and instructor mentoring.
- Demonstrate experience in sales, marketing initiatives, community partnerships, and academy operations.
- Include martial arts ranks, coaching licences, safeguarding certifications, First Aid, CPR, or youth coaching qualifications.
- Optimize your CV with ATS-friendly keywords such as Martial Arts Academy Manager, Sports Academy Manager, Youth Sports, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Muay Thai, Kickboxing, MMA, Boxing, Taekwondo, Karate, Children's Coaching, Curriculum Development, Membership Growth, Student Retention, Team Leadership, Child Safeguarding, Academy Operations, Sports Management, and Martial Arts Instruction.
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