Director of Wellness
Pay starts at $60,000 per year and up based on experience
Strengthening Community Through Healthy Living
At the YMCA, we believe wellness is more than exercise—it's about helping people build healthier spirits, minds, and bodies. As Director of Wellness, you'll lead a team dedicated to creating welcoming, impactful wellness experiences that help members achieve their goals while advancing the YMCA's mission. This role is ideal for a strategic leader who enjoys developing people, improving operations, driving program growth, and creating a culture where staff and members thrive.
What You'll Love About This Role
As Director of Wellness, you will:
- Lead and influence wellness operations across multiple program areas, including wellness centers, group exercise, personal training, and small group training.
- Mentor and develop Wellness Directors, Coordinators, and frontline staff, helping them grow professionally and deliver exceptional member experiences.
- Shape the future of wellness programming by identifying trends, responding to community needs, and implementing innovative services.
- Partner with branch leadership and association teams to advance strategic goals and wellness initiatives.
- Make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of thousands of members and community participants.
- Contribute to a mission-driven organization focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
A Realistic Look at the Role
You will regularly:
- Balance multiple priorities, including staffing, budgets, program growth, facility operations, member concerns, and strategic planning.
- Be accountable for financial performance, including revenue generation, expense management, retention, and participation goals.
- Manage and coach leaders who oversee day-to-day wellness operations.
- Address operational challenges such as staffing shortages, equipment issues, risk management concerns, and member service escalations.
- Review performance metrics and make data-driven decisions to improve outcomes.
- Work flexible hours that may include evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays to support programming and staff.
- Respond to emergencies and safety situations when necessary.
This role is well-suited for leaders who enjoy solving problems, building teams, managing change, and maintaining high standards in a fast-paced environment.
Is This Role Right for You?
This Role May Be for You If...
- You are passionate about helping people improve their health, wellness, and quality of life.
- You enjoy developing leaders and coaching teams to achieve their full potential.
- You thrive in a fast-paced environment where no two days are exactly the same.
- You are comfortable balancing strategic planning with hands-on operational leadership.
- You enjoy using data, metrics, and member feedback to drive continuous improvement.
- You are energized by building relationships and collaborating across departments.
- You take pride in creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for staff and members.
- You are motivated by mission-driven work and want to make a meaningful impact in your community.
This Role May Not Be for You If...
- You prefer to focus exclusively on fitness instruction or direct program delivery rather than leading people and operations.
- You are uncomfortable having difficult conversations related to performance, accountability, or member concerns.
- You prefer a highly predictable schedule and are unable to work occasional evenings, weekends, or special events.
- You do not enjoy managing budgets, analyzing performance data, or being responsible for financial outcomes.
- You prefer working independently rather than collaborating with multiple departments and stakeholders.
- You are uncomfortable responding to emergencies, addressing safety concerns, or making decisions under pressure.
- You prefer maintaining existing programs rather than driving change, innovation, and growth.
What You'll Be Responsible For
Leadership & Team Development
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all wellness programs and services.
- Recruit, hire, onboard, train, coach, and evaluate wellness staff.
- Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
- Mentor Wellness Directors, Coordinators, and frontline staff to strengthen leadership capacity across the organization.
- Collaborate with the Association Director of Wellness to implement association-wide wellness initiatives and best practices.
Program & Operational Excellence
- Ensure all wellness programs align with YMCA standards, strategic priorities, and member needs.
- Evaluate programs and services to improve quality, participation, and member outcomes.
- Conduct facility inspections, safety audits, and operational reviews.
- Ensure compliance with YMCA policies, certifications, risk management practices, and safety procedures.
- Maintain high standards for equipment safety, wellness center operations, and staff readiness.
Strategic Growth & Community Impact
- Develop and implement strategies to increase member engagement, retention, and program participation.
- Support the creation of innovative wellness programs that reflect community needs and emerging industry trends.
- Collaborate with branch leadership and other departments to enhance member experiences.
- Assist with marketing efforts, member engagement initiatives, and promotion of wellness services.
- Support YMCA fundraising efforts, Annual Campaign initiatives, community partnerships, and special events.
Financial Management
- Develop, manage, and monitor departmental budgets.
- Ensure responsible stewardship of YMCA resources.
- Track revenue, expenses, participation, and retention metrics.
- Analyze operational and financial data to identify opportunities for improvement and growth.
What Success Looks Like
Successful candidates typically:
- Build strong relationships with staff, members, volunteers, and community partners.
- Develop high-performing teams through coaching, support, and accountability.
- Create positive member experiences that drive engagement and retention.
- Use data and feedback to make informed decisions and improve performance.
- Lead effectively during challenges while remaining adaptable and solutions-focused.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to safety, inclusion, and the YMCA mission.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Health Promotion, Kinesiology, Public Health, Recreation Management, or a related field.
- Minimum of 4–6 years of progressive leadership experience in wellness, fitness, recreation, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff and leading multiple wellness program areas.
- Proven success managing budgets, achieving growth goals, and improving operational performance.
- Strong leadership, communication, coaching, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Ability to analyze data and use performance metrics to improve operations and member outcomes.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and wellness management software platforms.
- Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
- Visual, auditory, and verbal ability to communicate effectively.
- High level of alertness, concentration, initiative, and sound judgment.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, and move throughout facilities for extended periods.
- Sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform job responsibilities.
- Ability to respond quickly and effectively during emergency situations.
- Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor at all times.