Fitness & Performance Director

St Cloud Area Family YMCA•Saint Cloud, MN

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Fitness & Performance Director is responsible for the leadership, development, administration, and supervision of the YMCA’s Fitness & Performance department and staff. Fitness & Performance includes all personal training, fitness coaching, performance-based wellness services, and member engagement opportunities designed to support the health, wellness, and fitness goals of YMCA members and the greater community. This position provides strategic direction and operational oversight to ensure high-quality programs, member engagement, staff development, fiscal responsibility, and exceptional participant experiences that support the YMCA mission and meet the evolving needs of the community. In addition to leadership responsibilities, the Fitness & Performance Director is expected to maintain an active presence within programming by periodically coaching clients, providing personal training or fitness coaching coverage, supporting member engagement initiatives, and directly interacting with members to ensure high-quality experiences and strong relationship-building opportunities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Recreation Management, Health Promotion, Business Administration, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience in fitness, personal training, or health and wellness leadership.
Minimum of 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in the fitness, personal training, or healthy living field, including demonstrated success in program leadership, staff supervision, and member engagement.
Minimum of 2+ years of direct supervisory and/or management experience, including hiring, coaching, performance management, scheduling, payroll oversight, and staff development.
Demonstrated experience in budget development, financial management, and revenue generation, including forecasting, expense control, and achieving or exceeding financial targets.
Current and nationally recognized Personal Training Certification required (e.g., ACSM, NASM, ACE, ISSA, or equivalent).
CPR/AED/First Aid certification required within 30 days of hire and maintained throughout employment.
Proven ability to lead high-performing teams, develop staff talent, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Strong understanding of fitness programming, personal training systems, and member engagement strategies with the ability to drive program growth and retention.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively engage staff, members, leadership, and community partners.
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, member-focused environment.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations including youth, adults, and older adults across all fitness levels from beginner to advanced.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with a focus on member service excellence and inclusive engagement.
Ability to work flexible hours including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays as required by program and operational needs.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership, development, administration, and operational oversight for all Fitness and Performance programming, including personal training, group training, fitness coaching, ensuring alignment with YMCA mission, member engagement goals, and evolving community needs.
Leads the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of high-quality fitness programs and services that enhance participant experiences, strengthen member retention, and support organizational growth objectives.
Develops, supervises, and empowers a high-performing fitness team by fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, innovation, collaboration, and relationship-building across all fitness offerings and YMCA departments.
Oversees all aspects of staff management including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, payroll administration, performance management, employee engagement, coaching, and professional development for fitness staff and instructors.
Directs departmental operations and performance outcomes by establishing goals, monitoring key metrics, evaluating program effectiveness, and implementing strategies for continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Develops, manages, and monitors departmental budgets, including revenue generation, expense control, payroll oversight, forecasting, and financial performance analysis to ensure fiscal responsibility and achievement of budget targets.
Identifies opportunities for program innovation, growth, and community engagement through data-informed decision-making, member feedback, industry trends, and collaborative partnerships.
Ensures exceptional member and participant experiences by modeling YMCA values and Listen First practices, proactively addressing concerns, and creating a welcoming, inclusive, and service-oriented environment.
Collaborates with leadership and cross-functional teams to support association initiatives, marketing efforts, membership growth, community outreach, and strategic wellness priorities.
Supports the promotion and communication of fitness programming, events, and member engagement opportunities through effective coordination and community-focused outreach strategies.
Maintains a visible and active presence within fitness programming by regularly engaging with members, supporting fitness operations, and teaching classes or providing instructor coverage as needed to ensure program quality and consistency.
Serves as a role model for fitness staff and instructors by actively participating in fitness programming, demonstrating YMCA values, and fostering meaningful member relationships through direct program engagement.
Performs other duties as assigned to support branch operations and organizational success.