Location: EuropeActive Headquarters, Brussels
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Starting date: September/October 2026
About EuropeActive
EuropeActive is the leading non-profit, membership-based organisation representing the European fitness and physical activity sector. Our members include 30 national associations, fitness and health club operators, suppliers, and fit-tech / well-tech companies. Collectively, our sector serves over 75.5 million club users, generates €39.1 billion in annual revenue, and comprises 67,515 facilities. Our mission is to help get "more people, more active, more often." We strive to enable access to physical activity, and to further promote exercise as a preventative and cost-effective public health solution to combat non-communicable diseases, to improve quality of life and overall well-being, and to build sustainable, resilient communities across the continent.
The Role
EuropeActive is looking for an experienced and ambitious Research and Insights Manager to lead the organisation’s research agenda and strengthen its position as Europe’s leading source of industry knowledge and market intelligence.
The role combines research, project management, stakeholder engagement and strategic insight. You will transform complex quantitative and qualitative information into practical recommendations supporting EuropeActive’s advocacy, professional standards, programmes and member services.
The position extends beyond the annual European Health & Fitness Market Report and includes market intelligence, consumer and member insights, workforce development, policy support and innovation.
You will work across EuropeActive and with consultancies, research institutes, universities, national associations, European institutions and industry partners.
Key Responsibilities
Flagship Research and Market Intelligence
• Lead the annual European Health & Fitness Market Report from planning and partner coordination through to publication and launch.
• Manage relationships with Deloitte and other external research partners.
• Develop and deliver an annual research programme covering market and consumer trends, health and wellness, technology and innovation, investment and emerging business models.
• Conduct primary and secondary research, including surveys, interviews, desk research, data analysis and benchmarking studies.
• Identify new research opportunities that strengthen EuropeActive’s knowledge and evidence base.
Standards, Workforce and Member Insights
• Lead research supporting EuropeActive’s professional standards and workforce initiatives, including EREPS and FITcert®.
• Analyse workforce developments, skills needs, professional registration, certification trends and consumer confidence.
• Develop member research addressing satisfaction, emerging needs, business priorities and sector challenges.
• Produce practical recommendations supporting continuous improvement, member services and strategic planning.
Strategic Insight and Policy Support
• Produce market reports, policy papers, white papers, research briefings and editorial content.
• Translate complex findings into clear recommendations for leadership, members, policymakers and industry stakeholders.
• Support evidence-based advocacy, policy development and EU consultations.
• Present findings and recommendations to EuropeActive’s leadership and external audiences.
• Identify future research priorities, partnerships and opportunities for innovation.
Partnerships and Project Management
• Work across policy, standards, membership, communications, events and business development.
• Build relationships with universities, research institutes, consultancies, national associations, European institutions, think tanks and data providers.
• Manage complex multi-country research projects, external partners, budgets and publication deadlines.
• Ensure research is delivered to high standards of quality, transparency and accuracy.
What You Bring
Essential
- A master’s degree or equivalent in market research, social sciences, sport science, economics, public policy, business or a related field.
- At least three years’ experience in a research-focused role within a consultancy, research agency, research centre, think tank or academic institution.
- Experience designing and delivering primary and secondary research.
- Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills.
- Experience managing large-scale or multi-country projects involving multiple stakeholders and fixed deadlines.
- Ability to translate complex findings into clear recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strong written communication skills and experience producing high-quality reports and briefings.
- Confidence using research and statistical tools such as Excel, SPSS, R or similar.
- Strong project and stakeholder-management skills.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
You are analytical, collaborative and proactive, with the ability to take ownership of projects from planning through to publication. You communicate clearly, manage competing priorities and build strong relationships with colleagues, partners and senior stakeholders.
Desirable
- Experience in the fitness, health, wellness, sport or leisure sector.
- Experience working with a European or international membership organisation.
- Understanding of EU policy, advocacy, standards or qualifications frameworks.
- Experience working with external research or consultancy partners.
- Additional European languages.
How Success Will Be Measured
Success will include the timely and high-quality delivery of the European Health & Fitness Market Report; implementation of a relevant annual research programme; use of research across EuropeActive’s advocacy, standards and member activities; strong stakeholder satisfaction; and growth in EuropeActive’s research partnerships, visibility and credibility.
Benefits
• Hospitalisation insurance
• Group pension insurance
• Meal vouchers
• Public transport reimbursement or mobility budget
• 28 days of annual leave
• Professional development budget
• Mobile phone and laptop
How to Apply
Please submit:
• Your CV
• A one-page motivation letter outlining your relevant research experience and motivation
• Examples of research projects or initiatives you have successfully led
• Your current level of salary
Applicants must already have the right to work in Belgium.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may begin before the application deadline. We therefore strongly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Application deadline: 30 September 2026
