Job Description

Join us at The Willowbury, our brand-new retirement village in the heart of West Malling, where community, wellbeing, and exceptional resident experiences come together. We are seeking an experienced, passionate, and commercially aware Community & Wellbeing Manager to help shape and lead an active lifestyle offering for our residents from pre-opening through to full operation. This is a full-time role of 37.5 hours per week, working any 5 days over 7, with shifts scheduled between 8am and 8pm.

This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in launching an innovative Integrated Retirement Community (IRC), creating meaningful connections, leading wellbeing initiatives, and building an engaged and thriving community from day one.

About the Role

Reporting to the General Manager, the Community & Wellbeing Manager is responsible for developing and delivering a holistic wellbeing programme built around RVG’s three wellbeing pillars: physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, while also fostering strong integration with the wider local community.

The role combines strategic planning, operational leadership, resident engagement, and commercial awareness. You will lead the village wellbeing offering, oversee the on-site gym and fitness team, coordinate community engagement activities, and act as a key ambassador for The Willowbury.

From pre-opening activity and partnership development through to operational delivery, you will play a key role in ensuring residents enjoy a vibrant, inclusive, safe, and supportive environment that enhances their quality of life.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Opening

• Lead local community engagement activity to build awareness and understanding of the Integrated Retirement Community concept
• Prepare the gym and wellbeing facilities for opening, including recruitment, staffing plans, and operational readiness
• Organise and deliver events, launch activities, and engagement initiatives alongside the sales team
• Build strong relationships with healthcare professionals, community organisations, local businesses, and referral partners
• Represent the village at local networking and community events
• Support prospective residents throughout their customer journey
• Develop communication channels and engagement strategies for future residents and stakeholders

Post-Opening

• Deliver a diverse and inclusive wellbeing programme focused on physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing
• Lead the operational management of the gym and wellbeing team
• Encourage resident participation, inclusion, and community engagement
• Build meaningful relationships with residents and tailor activities around their interests and wellbeing goals
• Manage external partnerships and third-party wellbeing providers
• Work collaboratively with other departments to ensure a seamless resident experience
• Support the safe and compliant operation of wellbeing and leisure facilities

Community & Resident Experience

• Maintain a visible presence within the village community
• Gather resident feedback and continuously improve services and activities
• Promote a welcoming, vibrant, and inclusive environment
• Support resident committees and encourage resident-led initiatives

Commercial & Operational

• Support membership growth and retention within Aluna and Yarrow
• Promote activities and events to increase participation and village engagement
• Support occupancy and sales objectives through resident advocacy and community outreach
• Manage departmental budgets and ensure operational compliance
• Maintain high standards of service, health & safety, and resident satisfaction

Leadership & Safeguarding

• Lead, support, and develop wellbeing team members and fitness coaches
• Foster a positive and collaborative team culture
• Act as Safeguarding Lead for the village
• Coordinate emergency response procedures and resident wellbeing initiatives
• Build effective relationships with healthcare professionals and external agencies

About You

Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience within community engagement, wellbeing, hospitality, healthcare, or resident-focused environments
• Strong organisational, networking, and communication skills
• Experience managing events, activities, or community programmes
• Financial awareness and budget management capability
• Strong leadership and people management skills
• A compassionate, person-centred, and proactive approach
• Commercial awareness with the ability to balance operational and resident needs
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to manage changing priorities

Desirable

• Experience within retirement living, hospitality, healthcare, or wellbeing sectors
• Safeguarding training or experience acting as a safeguarding lead
• Knowledge of fitness, wellbeing, or healthy ageing initiatives
• Experience working with memberships, partnerships, or community services

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about enhancing quality of life for older people
• Innovative, proactive, and solutions-focused
• Approachable, engaging, and professional
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Resilient and adaptable
• Committed to delivering exceptional resident experiences