Group Exercise Experience Director

YMCA of NorthWest North Carolina; Clemmons (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement Savings

Paid Time Off

Job summary

YMCA of NorthWest North Carolina is seeking a Group Exercise Experience Director to lead branch wellness and membership initiatives. This frontline leader mentors staff, drives retention, and delivers exceptional member experiences while achieving strong organizational results.

You will manage budgets, supervise instructors and coaches, and collaborate across teams to champion programming that engages diverse communities, helping people reach their potential in spirit, mind, and body.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, or related field strongly preferred.
• One or more nationally recognized Personal Training or Coaching certifications required.
• Current CPR, First Aid, and Oxygen (ASHI) certification, or willingness to obtain within 30 days.
• One to two years of experience supervising wellness professionals preferred.

Responsibilities

• Execute association-wide and branch membership strategies to boost retention, service, and growth.
• Directly supervise Group Exercise Experience staff and indirectly supervise Wellness Experience staff.
• Maintain budget responsibilities including staff scheduling, payroll, and meetings; address employee issues.
• Use data to identify opportunities, encourage participation, and remove barriers.
• Lead onboarding, social support, and programming to help members reach wellness goals.
• Serve as operations manager for the assigned wellness region.
• Engage staff to greet members and connect them with programming.
• Provide fiscal management and budget adherence within area of responsibility.
• Train and advise other engagement directors and staff as needed.
• Attend trainings and meetings and adapt to varied schedules.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Staff supervision

Customer service

Sales

Budget management

Staff training

Wellness programming

Spanish-speaking (plus)

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Exercise Physiology/Exercise Science or related field (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Position Summary

The Group Exercise Experience Director is a charismatic, high-energy, service-driven leader responsible for guiding all branch membership efforts through wellness — including retention, excellent service, and growth. Group Exercise Experience Directors are visible, frontline leaders who primarily work on their feet, modeling best practices and building member loyalty. They are assertive coaches who consistently develop their team to deliver both an exceptional member experience and strong organizational results.

Group Exercise Experience Directors are strong communicators who listen effectively and speak to what matters most to members and staff. They are capable project managers, able to move fluidly between frontline service and the implementation of strategic initiatives. Both the Group Exercise Experience Director and their team build strong relationships with staff, members, and program participants to create a “third place” where every person feels welcomed and engaged.

This role ensures that all members are supported and encouraged in the pursuit of their personal wellness journey, and that families feel welcome to be part of it. Group Exercise Experience Directors carry out this work each day with the heart of helping all people reach their God-given potential in spirit, mind, and body.

Essential Functions

• Executes assigned Association-wide and branch-specific membership strategies/tactics to boost membership retention, customer service, and growth.
• Directly supervises Group Exercise Experience staff, including group exercise instructors and Grit Trainers.
• Indirectly supervises Wellness Experience staff, including wellness coaches, group exercise instructors, and personal trainers.
• Maintains budget responsibilities in staff scheduling, payroll, and staff meetings, as well as ongoing communication with staff. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws, including interviewing, hiring, training, role‑playing, modeling, appraising performance, and taking corrective action when necessary; addresses employee complaints and resolves issues.
• Utilizes membership and quality data as needed to identify areas of opportunity and improvement, encourage participation, and eliminate barriers.
• Improves the total member experience by ensuring members are onboarded correctly, have strong social support, and are involved in relevant Y programming. Helps members identify and track healthy living goals.
• Serves as operations manager for the assigned wellness experience region.
• Engages and leads other staff to engage, current and potential members with an emphasis on daily Moments of Service, such as greeting every member in all areas of the building.
• Ensures that all staff have a strong working knowledge of wellness and are eager to connect current and potential members with programming that helps them reach their God‑given potential.
• Provides strong fiscal management in all areas of responsibility, including building and managing the budget within their area of functional responsibility, receiving funds, spending wisely, and taking corrective action as appropriate.
• Serves as a subject matter expert to help members meet specific health and wellness goals.
• Trains and advises other engagement directors and staff in their specialty area as needed.
• Performs all other duties as assigned and directed by management.
• Bachelor’s degree from a four‑year college or university; or four years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, or a related field strongly preferred.
• One or more nationally recognized Personal Training or Coaching certifications required.
• Current CPR, First Aid, and Oxygen (ASHI) certification, or willingness to obtain within the first 30 days.
• One to two years of experience supervising other wellness professionals preferred.
• Experience working directly with clients in a wellness setting, designing customized plans to help them meet their wellness goals, preferred.
• One to two years of related supervisory experience in customer service and/or sales preferred.
• Attends required training sessions, workshops, and staff meetings.
• Ability to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed to supervise a diverse, part‑time team working a variety of schedules, including some weekends and nights.
• Excellent conflict resolution and problem‑solving skills required; proven ability to coach staff in these areas preferred.
• Strong communication and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple demands with ease.
• Excellent computer and social media skills, with experience using standard business software (Microsoft Office).
• Ability to relate effectively with diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Spanish‑speaking skills are a plus.
• YMCA Team Leader certification preferred.

We Take Care of Our People

We're committed to fostering health and well‑being for all — including our own team. Our comprehensive benefits package is thoughtfully designed to support you and your family.

Health Insurance

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans to support your well‑being.

Retirement Savings

A 12% employer‑funded retirement plan upon meeting eligibility, so you can plan for your future.

Paid Time Off

Up to 48 days of paid time off across vacation, holidays, and sick leave.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a four‑year college or university; or four years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, or a related field strongly preferred.
• One or more nationally recognized Personal Training or Coaching certifications required.
• Current CPR, First Aid, and Oxygen (ASHI) certification, or willingness to obtain within the first 30 days.
• One to two years of experience supervising other wellness professionals preferred.
• Experience working directly with clients in a wellness setting, designing customized plans to help them meet their wellness goals, preferred.
• One to two years of related supervisory experience in customer service and/or sales preferred.
• Attends required training sessions, workshops, and staff meetings.
• Ability to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed to supervise a diverse, part‑time team working a variety of schedules, including some weekends and nights.
• Excellent conflict resolution and problem‑solving skills required; proven ability to coach staff in these areas preferred.
• Strong communication and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple demands with ease.
• Excellent computer and social media skills, with experience using standard business software (Microsoft Office).
• Ability to relate effectively with diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Spanish‑speaking skills are a plus.
• YMCA Team Leader certification preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Continuously required to stand, walk, move dynamically, and maintain an active, visible frontline presence across fitness floors and exercise studios for extended periods.
• Regularly required to demonstrate athletic movements, coach exercise form, project voice clearly in class/group settings, and maintain visual/auditory awareness of participant safety.
• Frequently required to operate computer terminals, mobile applications, and standard business software to manage schedules, payroll, and retention data.
• Frequently required to lift, move, setup, or transport exercise gear, weight plates, studio equipment, and event supplies weighing up to 45 pounds.

Child Abuse Prevention and Reporting

At our Association, safeguarding children is everyone's responsibility, regardless of role or position. All employees are strictly required to maintain awareness of our abuse prevention and reporting policies. You must take immediate, appropriate action in accordance with our protocols and legal mandates if any standard of safety is compromised or if abuse is suspected.?

An Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Employment‑related decisions are based on job‑related qualifications, merit, business needs, and other lawful criteria.

Mission:

“Helping all people reach their God‑given potential in spirit, mind, and body.”