Recreation & Spa Manager – Wellness, Lifestyle & Guest Experience Leader at Kimpton Sevn Dubai (Pre-Opening)

At Kimpton Sevn Dubai, we are seeking a Recreation & Spa Manager to lead and elevate wellness, recreation, and spa experiences within one of Dubai's most anticipated lifestyle hospitality destinations.

This role is designed for a highly engaging, service-driven, and operationally focused leader who understands that exceptional wellness experiences are built on personalized service, inspiring environments, innovative programming, and high-performing teams—ensuring every guest interaction promotes wellbeing, relaxation, and memorable lifestyle experiences.

One Hotel. A Bold Lifestyle Vision. One Extraordinary Standard of Wellness.

This is more than a traditional Recreation & Spa Manager role.

Kimpton Sevn Dubai is being created as a vibrant lifestyle destination where authentic hospitality, meaningful connections, and curated experiences come together. The spa, recreation, and wellness facilities will play a critical role in defining the guest journey and enhancing the hotel's lifestyle positioning.

You will help bring the wellness vision to life—creating exceptional spa experiences, engaging recreational offerings, and personalized guest journeys that reflect the creativity, energy, and individuality of the Kimpton brand.

Why This Role Matters

Great wellness experiences create lasting memories.

As Recreation & Spa Manager, you will oversee day-to-day spa and recreation operations while supporting the Hotel Manager in delivering exceptional guest experiences, operational excellence, team development, and commercial performance.

You will serve as a key leader for the wellness operation, ensuring standards are consistently maintained while fostering an environment of care, professionalism, innovation, and genuine hospitality.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the wellness culture of a landmark pre-opening hotel while building a guest-centric operation from the ground up.

Be the Driving Force Behind Exceptional Wellness Experiences

You will work closely with the Hotel Manager while leading spa, recreation, fitness, and wellness teams throughout the hotel.

From daily guest interactions and colleague development to wellness programming and operational readiness, you will help create experiences that inspire guests to relax, recharge, and reconnect.

What We'll Support You to Do

• Drive Wellness Excellence: Deliver exceptional spa, fitness, and recreation experiences that exceed guest expectations
• Build High-Performing Teams: Recruit, mentor, and develop passionate wellness professionals
• Support Pre-Opening Success: Establish operational standards, guest journeys, and wellness experiences from day one

The Gig

Reporting to the Hotel Manager, the Recreation & Spa Manager will oversee all spa, recreation, fitness, and wellness operations at Kimpton Sevn Dubai.

• The Opportunity:

Help shape the wellness identity of one of Dubai's most exciting lifestyle hospitality openings

• The Strategy:

Deliver exceptional guest experiences, operational excellence, and innovative wellness programming

• The Impact:

Create meaningful wellness experiences while building a highly engaged team and commercially successful operation

You will be accountable for guest satisfaction, operational performance, wellness programming, team leadership, revenue generation, and overall spa and recreation excellence throughout the hotel.

Stay Human

At Kimpton, hospitality is personal.

This role is about wellbeing, connection, and creating meaningful experiences—helping guests feel their best while inspiring teams to deliver genuine and memorable service every day.

Your Day-to-Day

No two days are the same; your responsibilities will span a range of operational, commercial, and leadership activities, including but not limited to:

Wellness Leadership & Standards

• Support the execution of the hotel's wellness and lifestyle vision
• Ensure all spa, recreation, and fitness experiences meet the highest quality standards
• Maintain consistency across all wellness touchpoints
• Uphold Kimpton and IHG brand standards at all times

Operational Excellence

• Oversee daily spa, recreation, pool, and fitness center operations
• Ensure seamless guest experiences across all wellness facilities
• Monitor service quality, cleanliness, safety, and operational efficiency
• Drive continuous improvement in guest journeys and service delivery

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and inspire spa and recreation colleagues
• Foster a culture of care, accountability, professionalism, and teamwork
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing training initiatives
• Develop future wellness leaders through mentorship and coaching

Pre-Opening Wellness Excellence

• Support recruitment and development of the pre-opening wellness team
• Assist with facility setup, operational readiness, and service preparation
• Implement SOPs, treatment protocols, wellness standards, and training programs
• Participate in trial operations, facility testing, and opening readiness exercises

Guest Experience & Wellness Programming

• Develop wellness initiatives, fitness activities, and recreational experiences
• Collaborate on seasonal promotions, events, and guest engagement programs
• Support VIP guest experiences and personalized wellness journeys
• Continuously identify opportunities to elevate guest satisfaction

Financial & Operational Control

• Manage departmental budgets, revenue targets, and operational expenses
• Maximize spa, wellness, and recreation revenue opportunities
• Monitor retail performance, treatment utilization, and productivity levels
• Contribute to achieving departmental financial goals

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Front Office, Housekeeping, Engineering, Marketing, and Food & Beverage teams
• Support hotel-wide guest experience initiatives
• Collaborate with leadership teams on wellness and lifestyle programming
• Contribute to a culture of innovation and operational excellence

What Success Looks Like

• Consistently exceptional wellness and spa experiences
• Successful pre-opening and launch of Kimpton Sevn Dubai's wellness facilities
• Strong guest satisfaction and positive wellness feedback
• Highly engaged, motivated, and service-focused teams
• Effective revenue generation and commercial performance
• A distinctive wellness offering that enhances the Kimpton guest experience

Who This Role Is Perfect For

• A passionate wellness and hospitality leader ready for a major pre-opening opportunity
• Experienced in luxury hotels, lifestyle hospitality, destination spas, or wellness resorts
• Strong in guest experience, operations, and people leadership
• Passionate about wellbeing, recreation, and personalized service
• Energized by dynamic environments and opening new concepts

What We Need From You

Ideally, you bring some (or all) of the following qualifications and experience:

Education

• Diploma or Degree in Hospitality Management, Spa Management, Wellness, Recreation, Business Management, or related field preferred

Experience

• 5–8 years of progressive leadership experience within luxury hotel spas, wellness resorts, or recreation operations
• Previous Spa Manager, Recreation Manager, or Wellness leadership experience preferred
• Pre-opening experience highly desirable
• Strong knowledge of spa operations, wellness programming, guest service, and commercial management

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about wellness, hospitality, and guest satisfaction
• Strong leadership and people development capabilities
• Highly organized and operationally disciplined
• Commercially aware and guest-focused
• Energetic, engaging, and service-driven
• Calm under pressure and solution-oriented
• Committed to creating exceptional wellness experiences from the ground up

What You Can Expect from Us

At Kimpton Sevn Dubai, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, we believe our success begins with our people.

We invest in you through competitive compensation, global travel privileges, and meaningful career growth opportunities within one of the world’s most respected hospitality groups.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing fair and inclusive employment opportunities to all colleagues and applicants, regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital or family status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Through our myWellbeing framework, we actively support the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of our teams—because when our people are supported and thriving, they create exceptional experiences for our guests and each other

Kimpton Sevn Dubai: A Culture of Connection, Craft & Care

At Kimpton Sevn Dubai, you are not simply joining a team—you are becoming part of a culture that is personal, thoughtful, and distinctly human.

We are a close-knit, collaborative community where trust is earned, individuality is valued, and excellence is shaped through genuine care for people and experience.

We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our culture and inspire creativity. We seek individuals who are naturally intuitive, detail-oriented, and passionate about creating memorable moments that feel both effortless and meaningful.

At Kimpton, hospitality is bold yet refined, expressive yet intentional. More than a place to stay, we create spaces where guests feel connected, inspired, and truly welcomed—and where our teams feel empowered to bring their personality, creativity, and craftsmanship to everything they do.

Ready to Shape Something Distinctive?

If you do not meet every requirement but believe you bring the right energy, creativity, and passion for people, we would still love to hear from you.

Join Kimpton Sevn Dubai and be part of shaping a luxury lifestyle experience where individuality is celebrated, ideas are valued, and every detail contributes to something memorable.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants crafts unique destinations that kindle heartfelt human connections. Our bespoke spaces blend spirit, style and delight to create an addictive culture of refined irreverence where locals, visitors & colleagues seamlessly connect.

Don't quite meet every single requirement, but still believe you'd be a great fit for the job? We'll never know unless you hit the 'Apply' button. Start your journey with us today.