Fitness Program Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Healthy Living Program Director provides strategic leadership for multiple program areas within the wellness department, ensuring alignment with the YMCA's mission and community priorities. This role oversees program development, operations, and budgets, while supervising and mentoring staff and volunteers to achieve excellence in service delivery. The Senior Healthy Living Program Director builds and sustains strong community partnerships, drives program growth and innovation, and plays a central role in leading fundraising and advancement initiatives. By setting vision, fostering collaboration, and ensuring high standards of quality and impact, this position strengthens organizational capacity and extends the YMCA's reach within the community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Program Leadership

• Provides strategic leadership for the wellness department, overseeing group fitness, personal training, wellness programs and staff development.
• Develops, promotes, and delivers innovative, high-quality wellness programs and events for the branch, with a focus on overall health, relationships, and engagement of staff, members and volunteers.
• Oversee all wellness, personal training, and group fitness schedules, ensuring timely updates, clear communication of class offerings, and alignment with member needs.
• Maintains a high-quality Group Fitness program through data tracking, schedule adjustments, class audits, and member communication via the mobile app.
• Collaborates with the Y-Health team to implement branch-based Evidence-Based Health Initiative programs.
• Provides oversight of wellness floor engagement, environment, staffing, and equipment through direct supervision of the Healthy Living Director.
• Maintain consistent daily presence in programs to support quality, safety, and staff oversight, following association-specific expectations for direct service coverage and onsite visitation.
• Coordinate facilities, resources, and logistics to ensure high-quality program delivery and successful events.
• Acts as a key member of the Leadership Engagement Team, including opening, closing, and weekend shifts to build strong member relationships.

Staff Development

• Recruit, hire, train, and mentor staff and volunteers across multiple program areas, fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and professional growth.
• Develop staffing plans, manage schedules, conduct performance evaluations, and implement strategies to motivate teams and achieve program goals.
• Ensure staff certifications and records are current and compliant with YMCA standards.

Community Engagement & Outreach

• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and other organizations to deepen community impact and expand program reach.
• Lead outreach, marketing, and registration efforts to promote programs and ensure equitable access.
• Review and process scholarship applications to support inclusive participation.

Fiscal Stewardship

• Develop and manage program budgets across multiple areas to meet financial goals and ensure responsible stewardship of resources.
• Act as a branch leader for the YMCA Annual Campaign by leading volunteer teams, supporting fundraising events, and achieving an individual fundraising goal that advances the branch's overall target.

Program Experience

• Model exceptional relationship-building skills in all interactions, creating a welcoming and responsive environment for members, families, and staff.
• Address inquiries and concerns with professionalism and care, ensuring timely resolution and member satisfaction.
• Collect and analyze program data to evaluate effectiveness, inform strategic decisions, and celebrate outcomes.
• Maintain a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, to meet program and organizational needs.

Additional Responsibilities

• Take on other duties as assigned to support the YMCA's mission and organizational priorities.

• Completion of all required annual trainings related to safety, compliance, and child protection as assigned.

• This job description may be modified when appropriate by Human Resources.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in related field such as Exercise Science, Kinesiology or Health Promotion preferred and 3+ years of progressive experience in health and wellness programming.
• Proven passion for building community and fostering strong, mission-driven relationships through programs and services.
• NCCA accredited group fitness or personal training certificationrequired.
• Obtain and maintain required certifications within 30 days of hire: CPRO, Basic First Aid, and Administering Emergency Oxygen.
• Extensive experience leading program development, staff supervision, and personnel growth.
• Experience building a strong culture of hospitality through effective staff leadership and consistent member-centered service.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead staff, programs, and operational priorities with accountability for outcomes.
• Exceptional communication skills, including written, verbal, and public-speaking engagement with diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Highly organized and adaptable, with the ability to prioritize competing demands and lead effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrates professionalism, initiative, and a positive leadership presence that builds and sustains high-performing teams.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills with experience overseeing complex initiatives.
• Capacity to oversee facilities, equipment, and program operations to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality experiences.
• Builds inclusive, mission-driven relationships with youth, families, and community members from diverse backgrounds.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills preferred but not required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Primarily office and program settings with frequent interaction in gyms, classrooms, and outdoor spaces.
• Moderate noise levels; may be louder during youth or community activities.
• Regular use of computer, phone, and other office technology.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and reaching; occasional lifting or moving up to 40 lbs.
• Some work performed outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Flexible schedule required - may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and occasional travel between branches or sites.
• Must be able to provide valid identification for employment eligibility verification.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and have access to reliable transportation.
• A clean driving record is required to meet YMCA insurance standards.
• Travel between branch and/or site locations, and to off-site meetings and events is required.

• Must reside in the YMCA of the Triangle service area (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill and surrounding areas).

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.