Fitness/Wellness Manager

Life Care Services•Essex, CT

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Essex Meadows is seeking an enthusiastic, hospitality-focused Fitness/Wellness Manager to join its Community Life Services team. The role oversees fitness and wellness operations, develops and leads individual and group exercise programs, provides personalized fitness guidance, and collaborates across departments to promote residents’ whole-person wellness. The position supports residents’ independence and quality of life through inclusive programming tailored to different abilities and mobility levels. The manager develops and coordinates fitness and wellness programming, conducts fitness orientations and functional wellness assessments within their professional scope of practice, and creates exercise plans based on residents’ abilities, interests, and goals. The role also develops an annual wellness plan and program calendar, coordinates community-wide wellness initiatives, and delivers educational programs on topics such as nutrition, hydration, brain health, stress management, sleep, resilience, and fall prevention. The manager builds relationships with residents, encourages participation, works with health, rehabilitation, dining, and other departments, and uses resident feedback and program results to identify improvements. They oversee daily fitness center and wellness operations, help maintain a safe and welcoming environment, monitor equipment and supplies, coordinate maintenance needs, and maintain confidential assessments, attendance records, program documentation, and reports.

Requirements

Current Adult CPR, AED, and First Aid certification.
Excellent communication, organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to motivate residents, develop inclusive programs, collaborate across departments, and manage multiple priorities.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to learn community wellness and resident engagement systems.
Demonstrated commitment to hospitality, resident-centered service, safety, and continuous improvement.
Ability to demonstrate exercises and safely assist with fitness activities within professional training and scope of practice.
Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds and move fitness supplies and equipment.
May occasionally assist with pushing a resident in a wheelchair consistent with training and safety practices.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, or a related field.
Three or more years of experience in fitness, wellness, health promotion, active aging, or a related field.
Experience developing and coordinating wellness programs for older adults.

Responsibilities

Develop, coordinate, and lead safe, progressive, and engaging individual and group fitness programs, including strength, balance, flexibility, mobility, cardiovascular, and aquatic exercise.
Conduct fitness orientations and functional wellness assessments within professional scope of practice, and develop appropriate exercise plans based on residents’ abilities, interests, and goals.
Promote healthy aging, fall prevention, functional fitness, and independence through accessible and inclusive programming.
Develop an annual wellness plan and program calendar incorporating fitness, nutrition, education, social connection, lifelong learning, and healthy aging.
Coordinate community-wide wellness challenges, special events, educational programs, and initiatives that encourage participation.
Build meaningful relationships with residents and encourage participation through personalized support, motivation, and education.
Create wellness opportunities for residents across all levels of living and accommodate varying abilities and mobility levels.
Develop educational programs addressing nutrition, hydration, brain health, stress management, sleep, resilience, and fall prevention.
Collaborate with Resident Health Services, Rehabilitation, the Health and Wellness Navigator, Dining Services, and other departments to support residents’ overall well-being.
Seek resident feedback, monitor participation and satisfaction, evaluate program effectiveness, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Oversee daily fitness center and wellness operations, maintaining a welcoming, organized, clean, and safe environment.
Monitor fitness and aquatic equipment, supplies, and facility needs; recommend improvements and coordinate maintenance as needed.
Maintain accurate resident assessments, attendance records, program documentation, and reports while ensuring confidentiality.