Senior Program Director, Sports, Movement & Wellness - Lakewood

Pay: $72,307.00 - $97,828.00 per year

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Program Director, Sports, Movement & Wellness provides strategic and operational leadership for the Lakewood Family YMCA's sports, gymnastics, fitness, wellness, group exercise, personal training, and related healthy living programs. This position leads multiple program teams, develops and coaches department leaders, manages financial and participation performance, advances member engagement and retention, and ensures high-quality, safe, mission-aligned programs. The position works closely with branch and association leadership to identify community needs, implement growth strategies, strengthen partnerships, and continuously improve the member and participant experience.

OUR CULTURE:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for Wellness Coaching, Fitness Floor, Group Exercise, Personal Training, Fit Zone, Youth & Adult Sports, and Gymnastics, ensuring alignment with YMCA mission, association priorities, and branch goals.
• Directly lead, support, and develop Directors, Managers, Coordinators, and other assigned staff through goal setting, coaching, performance management, succession planning, and professional development.
• Establish and execute a cohesive vision for sports, wellness, and movement programs that strengthens member engagement, participation, retention, and overall well-being.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality youth and adult sports leagues, gymnastics, fitness, wellness, camps, clinics, tournaments, and related programs through program evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Oversee program financial performance, including budget development and management, forecasting, payroll oversight, expense controls, revenue goals, participation goals, and corrective action planning.
• Develop and implement growth strategies for membership engagement, personal training, wellness coaching, sports participation, gymnastics enrollment, youth fitness, and other fee-based programs.
• Monitor key performance indicators and analyze participation, retention, member experience, staffing, and financial data to identify trends and implement action plans.
• Maintain high standards for customer service, program quality, participant safety, risk management, incident response, and compliance with YMCA policies, procedures, and applicable requirements.
• Partner with branch and association leadership to assess community needs, identify emerging trends, and develop innovative programs, services, and member experiences.
• Collaborate with Membership and Marketing teams on member onboarding, appreciation initiatives, communications, and strategies that increase participation, retention, and community awareness.
• Provide leadership and direction to wellness teams to support effective member onboarding, quality coaching practices, current industry standards, and achievement of member wellness goals.
• Provide strategic oversight for youth and adult sports and gymnastics programs, strengthening program quality, participant development, community partnerships, safety, and sustainable growth.
• Manage fitness center design, equipment selection, space utilization, equipment refresh planning, and capital replacement projects in partnership with Facilities and branch leadership.
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, community organizations, volunteers, public agencies, and local partners to strengthen program impact and visibility.
• Recruit, train, support, and recognize volunteers in accordance with YMCA standards and applicable screening and safety requirements.
• Support branch operations by serving as Manager on Duty when assigned, participating in association Healthy Living and Sports cluster work, contributing to annual campaign and fundraising activities, and advancing association-wide strategic objectives.
• Attend required staff meetings, trainings, and YMCA functions, and perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the position's scope and level of responsibility.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Y's values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to improving lives. Engages and develops volunteers and cultivates relationships that support community impact and fundraising.

Collaboration and Emotional Intelligence: Champions inclusion and builds effective relationships across teams and communities. Listens and communicates for understanding, manages conflict constructively, tailors communication to the audience, and provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance, and support.

Operational Effectiveness: Provides clear frameworks for decisions, establishes goals and accountability, develops and manages budgets, uses data to evaluate results, and manages best practices through team engagement. Holds staff accountable for high-quality outcomes and continuous improvement.

Personal Growth: Pursues and shares new learning, facilitates change, models adaptability, addresses sensitive performance issues appropriately, and maintains the functional, technical, and leadership knowledge required to perform effectively.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Sports Management, Kinesiology, Physical Education, Recreation, Business, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• At least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in sports, fitness, wellness, recreation, or a related program area, including direct supervisory or multi-team leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, revenue and expense performance, staffing, program growth, and operational goals.
• Current First Aid, CPR, and AED certification required, or ability to obtain within the timeframe established by YMCA policy.
• Nationally accredited Personal Trainer or Group Exercise certification, or relevant Kinesiology/fitness credential, preferred.
• Ability to respond effectively to safety and emergency situations and to apply YMCA risk-management and child-safety practices.
• Strong planning, organizational, financial, communication, customer service, and leadership skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and work with limited day-to-day supervision.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and communities of diverse backgrounds, abilities, perspectives, and experiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn and use CRM, scheduling, registration, reporting, and other technology platforms used by the YMCA.
• Successful completion and maintenance of all background screening, fingerprinting, child abuse prevention training, and other safety requirements applicable to the position under law and YMCA policy.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Environmental Factors: Work is performed in office, fitness, gymnasium, gymnastics, and program environments and may include indoor and outdoor YMCA locations. The employee may experience moderate noise, active participant areas, changing temperatures, and occasional exposure to equipment, cleaning products, slippery or uneven surfaces, and other conditions typical of recreation and fitness facilities. Some evening, weekend, event, and local travel work may be required based on program and branch needs.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee regularly communicates, observes program activities, uses a computer and standard office equipment, and moves throughout YMCA program areas. The position may require standing, walking, bending, reaching, and occasional lifting, pushing, pulling, or moving of equipment or supplies up to 45 pounds when necessary for program or facility operations.