Stephane Malan

I am a proactive, dynamic recreation management executive with over 15 years’ expertise building high performance teams across facilities/company’s requiring extensive customer service management, operational oversight, and fiscal skills.

Interpersonal communicator with exceptional team leadership skills and strong ability to not only pinpoint opportunities for business development, but also deliver strategic solutions that boost sales, performance, and customer satisfaction. Passionate professional dedicated towards uplifting staff via professional development, employee motivation, and well-executed leadership development initiatives. Proven success rehabilitating under performing facilities while implementing necessary regulatory compliance measures. Excellent at stakeholder management, profit and loss management, and managing human resource functions.

Director of Recreation

Health club Manager 

Recreation & Wellness

Director of Recreation, Palms Beach Hotel & Spa, Al Ta'awon, KW                                                      2018  – Present

Direct business finances, including budget preparation, income, and expenses. Train staff on appropriate client communications and service to ensure high customer satisfaction. Conduct regular brand standard inspections on facilities. Collaborate with external partner on planning and coordination of winter and summer camps. Host weekly meetings, monitor monthly sales, and implement strategies to drive performance. Oversee recruitment, talent development, and employee corrective action. Ensure compliance with health and safety standards, company policies, and best practices. Manage and maintain beach/pool areas. 

• Organise member appreciation events and promotions.
• Lead and supervise membership base comprising over 3000 members.
• Assessed department heads strengths and weaknesses to strategically adjust individual roles suited towards staff skill set. 
• Recruited appropriate personnel to fulfil roles of Fitness Manager and Sales Manager which yielded positive results and increased revenue. 

Club General Manager, Virgin Active, Airport Junction, BW                                                                           2017  – 2018

Analysed and reviewed monthly P&L in addition to controlling expenses and regulating budget. Supervised department heads and reviewed individual performance weekly. Ensured consistent delivery of quality service while maintaining facilities and equipment in alignment with brand standards. Oversaw human resource functions and adhered to company policies. Held responsibility over general club health and safety. Managed relationships with key stakeholders, tenants, contractors, and vendors. Devised strategies to boost sales performance. 

• Achieved high profitability during tenure, including net membership growth up to 5000 members.
• Fostered high performance sales team via adoption of completely new corporate strategy and price structure suited towards Botswana market. 
• Renewed club health and safety standards to ensure compliance with company policies and obtain positive audits as compared to failed audits prior to management.
• Boosted team morale via one-on-one coaching and encouragement for personal development. 
• Supported staff in meeting and exceeding all KPIs, thus contributing to higher team morale and success. 
• Established beneficial relationships with national and regional teams to improve club’s access to resources. 

Club General Manager, Virgin Active, Cape Town, SA                                                                                       2016  – 2017

Coordinated daily club activities, including staff events, staff training, professional development, and motivational initiatives. Upheld health and safety regulations and ensured regular facility maintenance. Recommended and implemented methods to improve customer service. Corresponded with key stakeholders, vendors, and contractors. Oversaw month-end financials, including budget management, P&L, and income/expense control. 

• Spearheaded membership activities for 7000-member base.
• Raised branch KPI score within Cape region from last place to middle rank within one year.

Received promotion from previous position as Club General Manager at Long Street branch within one year of yielding high performance/positive results.

Additional Experience:

Club General Manager, Virgin Active, Cape Town, SA, 2015

Operations Manager, Virgin Active, Cape Town, SA, 2013 – 2014

Operations Manager, Virgin Active, Cape Town, SA, 2008 – 2012

Client Account Executive, ISM Solutions, London, UK, 2007 – 2008

Barman, Angel in the Fields Pub, London, UK, 2007 

Bachelor of Commerce with majors in Economics & Finance from the University of Cape Town.