Fitness/Wellness Manager

Essex Meadows; Centerbrook (CT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life insurance

AD&D insurance

401(k) with company match

Generous PTO and paid holidays

Employee assistance program

Daily Pay – Work today, get paid today

Job summary

Essex Meadows in Essex, CT is seeking an enthusiastic Fitness Manager to join our Community Life Services team. This role oversees fitness and wellness operations, develops engaging programs, and collaborates across departments to support residents' independence and quality of life.

The ideal candidate will build relationships, motivate residents, and create inclusive programs for older adults, while driving wellness initiatives and program effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, or related field preferred.
• Three or more years of fitness/wellness experience; senior living preferred.
• Current Adult CPR, AED, and First Aid certification required.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, and lead safe, progressive fitness programs for residents.
• Conduct fitness orientations and assessments and create exercise plans.
• Promote healthy aging, fall prevention, and functional fitness through inclusive programming.
• Develop an annual wellness plan and program calendar spanning fitness, nutrition, education, social connection, and lifelong learning.
• Coordinate wellness initiatives and events to encourage resident participation.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Hospitality mindset

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Position: Fitness/Wellness Manager

Department: Community Life Services

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 40 hours

Pay: DOQ

Location: Essex, CT

Who we are:

Walk through our doors and see the difference in the future with senior living and care. Set against a beautiful 1,000-acre natural preserve and just minutes from the shoreline, Essex Meadows leads the way in comprehensive senior living in Connecticut. When you work at Essex Meadows, you have a front-row seat to the amazing life stories of the wisest people on earth. What's more, you are part of an extraordinary company—one that's investing in the future of senior living by investing in you. Don't just do a job. Be part of an extraordinary life!

You will enjoy:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• AD&D insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Resident-sponsored appreciation bonus
• Resident-sponsored educational scholarships
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Employee assistance program
• Free electric vehicle charging stations
• Daily Pay – Work today, get paid today!
• An exceptional work environment that is both engaging and fun

Position Summary

Essex Meadows is seeking an enthusiastic, hospitality-focused Fitness Manager to join our Community Life Services team!

This individual will oversee fitness and wellness operations, develop and lead engaging individual and group exercise programs, provide personalized fitness guidance, and collaborate across departments to promote whole-person wellness. The ideal candidate enjoys building relationships, motivating others, and creating inclusive programs that support residents' independence and quality of life.

Primary Responsibilities

Fitness & Wellness Programming

• Develop, coordinate, and lead safe, progressive, and engaging individual and group fitness programs, including strength, balance, flexibility, mobility, cardiovascular, and aquatic exercise.
• Conduct fitness orientations and functional wellness assessments within professional scope of practice, and develop appropriate exercise plans based on residents' abilities, interests, and goals.
• Promote healthy aging, fall prevention, functional fitness, and independence through accessible and inclusive programming.
• Develop an annual wellness plan and program calendar incorporating fitness, nutrition, education, social connection, lifelong learning, and healthy aging.
• Coordinate community-wide wellness challenges, special events, educational programs, and initiatives that encourage participation.

Resident Engagement & Whole-Person Wellness

• Build meaningful relationships with residents and encourage participation through personalized support, motivation, and education.
• Create wellness opportunities for residents across all levels of living and accommodate varying abilities and mobility levels.
• Develop educational programs addressing nutrition, hydration, brain health, stress management, sleep, resilience, and fall prevention.
• Collaborate with Resident Health Services, Rehabilitation, the Health and Wellness Navigator, Dining Services, and other departments to support residents' overall well-being.
• Seek resident feedback, monitor participation and satisfaction, evaluate program effectiveness, and identify opportunities for improvement.

Operations & Administration

• Oversee daily fitness center and wellness operations, maintaining a welcoming, organized, clean, and safe environment.
• Monitor fitness and aquatic equipment, supplies, and facility needs; recommend improvements and coordinate maintenance as needed.
• Maintain accurate resident assessments, attendance records, program documentation, and reports while ensuring confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, or a related field preferred.
• Three or more years of experience in fitness, wellness, health promotion, active aging, or a related field preferred; experience developing and coordinating wellness programs for older adults strongly preferred.
• Current Adult CPR, AED, and First Aid certification required.
• Excellent communication, organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to motivate residents, develop inclusive programs, collaborate across departments, and manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to learn community wellness and resident engagement systems.
• Demonstrated commitment to hospitality, resident-centered service, safety, and continuous improvement.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, stretching, reaching, kneeling, and squatting.
• Ability to demonstrate exercises and safely assist with fitness activities within professional training and scope of practice.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds and move fitness supplies and equipment.
• May occasionally assist with pushing a resident in a wheelchair consistent with training and safety practices.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.