General Manager - Ann Arbor

Socket.dev; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Complimentary classes

Paid time off

Professional development

Health insurance (where available)

Job summary

JETSET Pilates is opening a new studio and invites a Founding General Manager to lead from the ground up. You will recruit and develop the founding team, drive pre-sale momentum, and build operational processes for launch readiness. After opening, you’ll steer ongoing operations, membership growth, and an outstanding client experience.

You’ll partner with ownership to create a scalable playbook, cultivate community connections, and lead a high-performing team through early growth stages.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in operations or general management, preferably in boutique fitness or hospitality.
• Proven ability to recruit, onboard, and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong sales mindset with experience driving revenue targets.

Responsibilities

• Execute local grassroots marketing and build community partnerships.
• Lead founding Instructor and Studio Lead recruitment and onboarding.
• Coordinate studio launch readiness, workflows, and staffing plans.
• Drive founding membership sales and pre-sale campaigns.
• Coach the team on consultative sales and KPI tracking.
• Provide regular updates on launch readiness and business performance.
• Build systems, processes, and exceptional client experience.

Skills

Operations management

Leadership

Sales & revenue growth

Analytical thinking

Communication

Pre-opening / launch experience

Team development

Organizational skills

Community building

Entrepreneurial spirit

Job description

JETSET Pilates is a modern, music-driven Pilates brand redefining the boutique fitness experience.

As the Founding General Manager, you’ll play a critical role in bringing a new studio to life. This is an entrepreneurial leadership opportunity for someone who thrives on building from the ground up. You’ll partner closely with ownership to recruit and develop the team, generate excitement in the community, establish operational excellence, and lead a successful studio launch.

Following opening, you’ll transition into leading the day-to-day operation of the studio while continuing to drive membership growth, team development, and an exceptional client experience.

General Managers are expected to complete the JETSET Instructor Training Academy Program, teach an average of 6-8 classes per week, and maintain an active in-studio presence during a minimum of 25 class times per week.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Building & Studio Launch

• Execute local grassroots marketing initiatives prior to opening.

• Build relationships with local businesses, influencers, and community partners.

• Generate excitement and awareness leading up to launch.

• Build and manage a pipeline of prospective founding members.

• Support local social media initiatives that drive awareness and membership growth.

• Coordinate community events and pre-sale activations.

Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit, hire, onboard, and develop the founding Instructor and Studio Lead team prior to opening.

• Lead onboarding and operational training initiatives.

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and hospitality.

• Conduct regular coaching conversations and performance check-ins.

Studio Launch & Operations

• Partner with ownership on launch readiness.

• Establish operational processes and studio workflows.

• Build schedules, staffing plans, and operational standards.

• Ensure every aspect of opening day is executed successfully.

• Coordinate vendor readiness, equipment setup, and operational logistics to ensure a successful studio launch.

Sales & Business Development

• Drive founding membership sales.

• Execute pre-sale and launch campaigns.

• Coach the team on consultative sales techniques.

• Monitor pre-sale conversion metrics, founding membership goals, and launch readiness KPIs.

Ownership Partnership

• Provide regular updates on launch readiness and business performance.

• Identify opportunities to improve systems and processes.

• Support future studio openings as the brand grows.

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE

You’ll be successful in this role if you:

• Care deeply about operational excellence and would take pride in launching a studio on time and fully prepared.

• Enjoy identifying great people and building, onboarding, and developing a high-performing team.

• Are energized by ambitious sales goals and motivated to build strong pre-opening momentum.

• Love connecting with people and creating genuine excitement within the local community.

• Thrive on building strong systems, clear expectations, and a positive culture that support long-term success.

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Following a successful studio launch, this role transitions into leading ongoing operations and may expand to support additional studio openings and multi-unit growth as JETSET continues to scale.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• 3+ years of operations or general management experience, ideally in boutique fitness, hospitality, or a luxury membership-model consumer service environment

• Proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams — ideally across multiple locations or in a pre-opening context

• Demonstrated self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit — you take initiative, solve problems proactively, and thrive in environments where the playbook is still being written

• Strong sales instincts with experience driving revenue targets and coaching others to do the same

• Highly analytical — comfortable building reports, interpreting data, and making decisions backed by metrics

• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities without losing momentum or attention to detail

• Outstanding communicator who genuinely connects with people and makes every client and team member feel seen and valued

• Hands‑on experience in a fitness instruction or coaching capacity is strongly preferred

• Passion for community building and an understanding of the local wellness, fitness, and hospitality community is strongly preferred.

REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to commit to travel for a 5-day Instructor training at one of our Regional Training & Support Centers
• Ability to stand and move throughout the studio for extended periods
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
• Flexible availability, including the availability to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as business needs require

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Complimentary or discounted JETSET Pilates classes

• Paid time off (PTO)

• Professional development opportunities

• *Additional benefits—including performance bonuses, health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks—may be offered depending on the studio location