Fitness & Wellness Director: Lead Programs & Growth

YMCA; Silver Spring, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 58,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

YMCA Membership

Professional development

Paid time off

Job summary

The YMCA Silver Spring is seeking an experienced Fitness and Wellness Director to lead and expand programs that keep people active, build healthy habits, and connect with others. You’ll oversee daily operations, grow personal training and group exercise, manage a team, and ensure a welcoming, high-quality member experience.

You will lead with a strong, collaborative approach, leveraging data and member feedback to drive participation and program excellence, with flexibility for evenings and

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of progressive experience in fitness or wellness operations, preferably in a YMCA, health club, fitness center, recreation center, university fitness program, or similar environment.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, and developing fitness and wellness staff.
• Experience leading personal training and group exercise programs, including program development, member engagement, and growth.
• Bachelor’s degree in exercise science, kinesiology, physical education, recreation, sports management, or a closely related field.
• Current nationally recognized fitness certification such as ACE, NASM, ACSM, NSCA, or another approved credential.
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and administrative skills.
• Ability to use participation, financial, and member feedback data to evaluate programs and make decisions.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Lead Daily Operations: Oversee the fitness and wellness center, including staffing, schedules, equipment, program delivery, safety, and member experience.
• Develop a Strong Team: Recruit, onboard, train, supervise, and coach personal trainers, fitness and wellness staff, and group exercise professionals.
• Strengthen Personal Training & Group Exercise: Lead high-quality programs that drive participation, support staff performance, and respond to member interests and community needs.
• Grow Programs & Participation: Use member feedback, participation trends, and fresh ideas to strengthen existing programs and develop new classes, challenges, workshops, and wellness experiences.
• Manage Department Performance: Monitor staffing, participation, revenue, expenses, and other key measures to inform decisions and achieve department goals.
• Collaborate & Engage: Build relationships with members and work across the Y to create welcoming opportunities for people of different ages, abilities, backgrounds, and fitness levels.

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Coaching

Personal training

Group exercise

Communication

Administration

Data analysis

Scheduling

Flexibility

Certification (ACE/NASM/ACSM/NSCA)

Education

Bachelor's degree in exercise science or related field

Tools

ACE/NASM/ACSM/NSCA certification

Job description

The YMCA Silver Spring is seeking an experienced Fitness and Wellness Director to lead and expand programs that keep people active, build healthy habits, and connect with others. You’ll oversee daily operations, grow personal training and group exercise, manage a team, and ensure a welcoming, high-quality member experience.

You will lead with a strong, collaborative approach, leveraging data and member feedback to drive participation and program excellence, with flexibility for evenings and