Fitness Director - Ellicott City (Dancel)

YMCA Central Maryland•Ellicott City, MD

21d

About The Position

The Fitness Director provides leadership and strategic oversight for fitness-related programs and services within the Family Center, including fitness floor operations, personal training, small group training, group exercise, water fitness, and wellness initiatives. The role is responsible for creating exceptional member experiences, developing high-performing teams, driving participation and revenue growth, and maintaining safe, clean, and engaging wellness environments. The Fitness Director leads the development and execution of wellness programs that support member retention, community health, and the Y's mission. Through data-driven decision-making, associate development, and operational excellence, the position ensures programs respond to members' evolving needs and achieve established performance goals. The role also oversees staffing, budgets, scheduling, compliance, facilities, and community partnerships.

Requirements

Current nationally recognized Personal Training certification (ACE, NASM, ACSM, NSCA, or equivalent).
Three to five years of progressive leadership experience in fitness, wellness, recreation, or health promotion programs.
Demonstrated experience leading teams, managing performance, and developing associates.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Experience managing budgets, payroll, scheduling, and program performance metrics.
Current CPR/AED/First Aid certification or ability to obtain it within the required timeframe.
Ability to walk, stand, climb, kneel, stoop, and lift up to 50 lbs.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to perform physical duties of supervised positions when necessary.
Ability to meet all physical certification and training requirements of the Y.
Successful completion of required background checks, which may include CPS, criminal, drug and alcohol testing, and motor vehicle records checks.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Health Promotion, Recreation Management, or a related field.
Proficiency with Google Workspace, Dayforce, ClubConnect, and other business management systems.

Responsibilities

Create a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging wellness environment that promotes member satisfaction, participation, and retention.
Develop strategies to increase member engagement through personal training, small group training, group exercise, water fitness, and wellness coaching.
Build relationships with members and use feedback to improve programs, services, and the member experience.
Partner with membership and center leadership teams on member onboarding, retention initiatives, and wellness engagement.
Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of fitness, wellness, and chronic disease prevention programs.
Develop programs and services that respond to community needs and support Y strategic priorities.
Drive revenue growth through personal training, small group training, specialty programs, and wellness offerings.
Analyze participation, retention, and financial performance data to identify growth and operational improvement opportunities.
Establish goals and action plans to increase program participation, member engagement, and service utilization.
Recruit, hire, onboard, develop, and supervise fitness coaches, personal trainers, group exercise instructors, and water fitness instructors.
Coach associates, provide performance feedback and professional development, conduct evaluations, and address performance concerns.
Ensure associates maintain required certifications and complete mandatory Y training and compliance requirements.
Foster accountability, teamwork, inclusion, and service excellence.
Oversee daily operations of the fitness center, personal training, group exercise, water fitness, and wellness initiatives.
Ensure facilities, equipment, and wellness spaces are safe, clean, maintained, and operational.
Manage departmental budgets, payroll, scheduling, purchasing, and resource allocation.
Monitor compliance with Y policies, risk management practices, and industry standards.
Use operational and participation data to inform decisions, improve efficiency, and maximize program impact.
Maintain accurate records, reports, certifications, attendance data, and program documentation.
Partner with Marketing to promote programs through digital, social media, and in-center communication channels.
Support community partnerships that enhance wellness programming and expand the Y's impact.
Collaborate with healthcare organizations, schools, and community partners on wellness and chronic disease prevention initiatives.
Recruit and develop qualified instructors and trainers for virtual and in-person programming.
Monitor and achieve performance goals for personal training revenue and client growth, client retention and loyalty, small group training participation, group exercise participation and utilization, wellness appointment completion (FitQuest), overall fitness program participation, member engagement and retention, associate certification compliance, budget performance, and payroll management.