Assistant Director for Fitness

Virginia Commonwealth University•Richmond, VA

2d•$65,000 - $67,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director for Fitness manages and administers Virginia Commonwealth University’s Recreation & Well-Being Fitness Program in alignment with RecWell’s mission to advance student success by empowering the VCU community to prioritize well-being, connect with others, and learn through play. The role includes financial, personnel, and program management; policy development; risk management; assessment; and student staff development. It reports to the Senior Associate Director for Programs & Assessment. The Assistant Director leads the fitness team, including direct supervision of two full-time coordinators and hourly or student staff and interns as applicable. The role manages the Well-Being Lounge and designated fitness spaces; oversees fitness equipment replacement planning; and leads inclusive, accessible, welcoming, and risk-conscious programming. It contributes to strategic planning, assessment, marketing, partnerships, student learning, and sustainable approaches to program delivery. As a member of the department’s leadership team, the Assistant Director contributes to long-range strategic and facility planning, budget development, and student learning. The position manages program resources and budgets, maintains relevant professional skills and certifications, participates in professional organizations and university activities, and provides regular evening and weekend supervisory support as part of the onsite/on-call team. This is a full-time, twelve-month University and Academic Professional position, fully on-site, with a 40-hour workweek. The work area is non-smoking.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Recreation, Exercise Science, Health and Fitness, Kinesiology, or a related field and 3–5 years of relevant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Demonstrated experience fostering respect, professionalism, and civility among faculty, staff, and students from varied backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a VCU staff member.
Administrative experience in program planning, implementation, and evaluation; budget development and fiscal/statistical management; long-range planning; project management; organizational strategic planning; and risk management.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
American Red Cross First Aid CPR/AED certification, or ability to obtain it within 30 days of hire.
Ability to respond to requests professionally and positively and create a positive, enthusiastic environment within the Division of Student Affairs.
Availability to work some evening and weekend hours.
Work in a non-smoking work area.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a university or college setting.
Experience supervising full-time staff, including personnel management and staff development.
Nationally accredited fitness certification in personal training, group fitness, or health coaching, such as ACE, NASM, ACSM, or AFFA.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership to the fitness team and directly supervise two full-time coordinators, as well as hourly/student staff or interns as applicable.
Communicate departmental, Division, and University missions, visions, values, and goals, and align program initiatives with strategic priorities.
Prepare staff to identify risks and make sound decisions consistent with departmental values.
Set development goals for direct reports, provide regular performance feedback, and identify areas for continued growth.
Ensure compliance with departmental and University guidelines and policies.
Manage the Well-Being Lounge and designated fitness spaces within RecWell facilities.
Oversee development and implementation of a long-term fitness equipment replacement plan with department colleagues.
Plan, implement, and evaluate inclusive, accessible, welcoming, and risk-conscious fitness programs.
Contribute to strategic plans, goals, and measurable outcomes for the department and program area; assess and report outcomes with team members.
Foster program growth, collaboration, student learning, and responsiveness to emerging trends.
Collaborate with stakeholders on multidisciplinary programs addressing recreation and well-being, including belonging, connectedness, and introductory services for new students.
Work with stakeholders to integrate programs into academic and other learning environments, potentially instructing courses with academic departments.
Coordinate program marketing and promotion through digital, print, social, and other media.
Develop program models that reduce barriers to student engagement while supporting long-term sustainability.
Create, revise, and implement Fitness standard operating procedures in accordance with University and departmental guidelines.
Guide risk management planning for areas of oversight, ensure compliance, and oversee appropriate follow-up on critical incidents.
Participate in departmental leadership, long-range strategic and facility planning, budget development, and student learning.
Collaborate with campus partners to develop and implement programs and events that contribute to student success.
Manage program resources ethically, including developing, managing, and reconciling budgets and setting revenue projections.
Investigate emerging trends and opportunities in recreation and well-being programming.
Maintain professional skills and certifications appropriate to job responsibilities.
Participate in professional organizations and contribute to shared knowledge in the field.
Participate in Division and University-wide events and committees as needed.
Serve on the onsite/on-call team and provide regular evening and weekend supervisory support.
Perform other duties as assigned.