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Fitness Director (Recreation Leader), Recreational Sports

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN Full Time
POSTED ON 2/17/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 4/29/2025

Job Summary

The Fitness Director provides leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of fitness programming and wellness initiatives to enhance participant health and well-being. This role oversees a team of 2 assistant directors, 2 coordinators, and numerous student employees, ensuring operational excellence, strategic planning, and adherence to budgetary goals. Reporting to the Associate Director of Programming for Recreational Sports, the Fitness Director collaborates with campus partners to create interdisciplinary programming that promotes holistic wellness and fitness.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

  • Lead and supervise the Fitness & Wellness Initiatives team, including full-time staff and student employees such as group fitness instructors, personal trainers, recreation assistants, and program assistants.
  • Oversee the daily operations of group fitness, personal training, and wellness initiatives.
  • Support systematic changes across recreational sports that emphasize student and participant health and well-being.
  • Participate as a national leader in best practices for recreation, fitness, and wellness.
  • Develop and implement strategies for program development and enhancement, including revenue generation, participant recruitment and retention, and staff recruitment and retention.
  • Provide ongoing education, training, and support for staff through regular training sessions and in-services.
  • Lead asset management and replacement planning for fitness equipment across two large facilities and the Tennis Center, in collaboration with the Operations team.
  • Conduct regular inspections, maintain inventory levels, and ensure accurate documentation of equipment and asset conditions.
  • Manage budget submissions, purchasing, and financial planning for fitness program areas.
  • Collaborate with Recreational Sports and Office of Student Life team members on emergency and risk management protocols, ensuring robust systems and processes to mitigate risk.
  • Build and maintain strong partnerships with campus colleagues to advance student success, health, and wellness.
  • Collaborate on holistic and interdisciplinary health and wellness programming with Student Wellness colleagues, fostering innovative approaches to fitness and well-being.
  • Ensure the highest standards of customer service to create exceptional participant experiences.
  • Implement assessment tools to evaluate program needs, participant satisfaction, and overall feedback.
  • Occasionally provide direct services, such as personal training or group fitness instruction.
  • Participate in an on-call rotation to address emergency situations.

General Responsibilities

  • Provide highest level of operational leadership and coordination of assigned staff members to define recreational programming methodologies and standards; provide direction and guidance on high priority program operations / projects / initiatives.
  • Establish short-term business plans and long-term operational objectives, including managing program timelines / deliverables and developing resource plans for multi-project / multi-phase program initiatives.
  • Conduct a variety of personnel actions to include, but not limited to hiring, promotion, performance management, and dismissal.
  • Manage high level assignments and allocation of resources, including negotiating and coordinating initiatives that involve staff in other departments / areas / teams; may coordinate large-scale programs with a wide audience in support of recreational initiatives.
  • Make budgetary recommendations / proposals based on resource needs and ensures cost containment.
  • Research and stays up-to-date on new industry program standards, subject matter experts, best practices, and strategic marketing; responsible for the implementation of new protocols / procedures to address business needs.
  • Work collaboratively with other unit leaders, volunteers, students and / or faculty experts across departments in recommending standards, best practices, and related policies / procedures.
  • Prepare management reports and summaries for senior administration, executive, steering and advisory committees; act as an advisor to executive committees; serve on various university committees, communities of practice, and task forces related to program development, educational initiatives and institutional priorities.
  • Qualifications

    Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

    EDUCATION

    Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Recreation, Sports Management, or a related field
  • Preferred

  • Master's degree in Exercise Science, Recreation, Sports Management, or a related field
  • WORK EXPERIENCE

    Required

  • 4 years of related experience with structured recreational programming
  • 1 year of management experience
  • Preferred

  • 8 years in recreational sports, fitness and wellness programming and development, fitness equipment management
  • 5 years of management experience in relevant field, including direct supervision of full-time staff
  • LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

    Required

  • CPR / AED within 180 days from date of hire
  • Standard First Aid within 180 days from date of hire
  • Preventing Disease Transmission / Universal Precautions within 180 days from date of hire
  • Preferred

  • American College of Sports Medicine Health Fitness Instructor certificate
  • Nationally recognized group exercise certifications
  • SKILLS

    Required

  • Proficient communication skills
  • Maintains a high degree of professionalism
  • Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Excellent collaboration and team building skills
  • Effectively coaches and delivers constructive feedback
  • Instills commitment to organizational goals
  • Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision-making skills
  • Effective conflict management skills
  • Builds and manages effective teams
  • Preferred

  • Proven team leader
  • Focus on continuous improvement with the ability to assess an operation and suggest efficiencies and changes
  • Strong relationship builder and diplomatic collaborator
  • Ability to apply sound judgment and apply experienced analysis techniques within area of specialization to make decisions
  • Demonstrated problem-solving skills and techniques
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Possess flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
  • Seeks to acquire knowledge in Recreational Sports and student success
  • Highly thorough and dependable
  • Demonstrated a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
  • General knowledge of the health care continuum, and ability to advocate for fitness / wellness as part of the student health care continuum
  • Ability to teach a wide variety of fitness formats and work with clients with diverse needs
  • Working Conditions / Demands

    This position requires both sedentary work and long durations of movement about the workspace. It requires the ability to move and transport objects and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential tasks with or without an accommodation.

    Additional Information

    Bloomington is not just a place to work, it is a place to live, thrive, and enjoy life. To learn more about what makes this town so special, click here.

    Work Location

    This is an in-person position.

    Bloomington, Indiana

    Advertised Salary

    80,000 - $90,000 depending upon education and experience.

    Benefits Overview

    For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including :

  • Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
  • Health savings account with generous IU contributions
  • Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
  • Basic group life insurance paid by IU
  • Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
  • Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
  • Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
  • Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
  • 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
  • Generous paid time off plans
  • Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
  • Employee assistance program (EAP)
  • Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure.

    Job Classification

    Career Level : Sr. Operational

    FLSA : Exempt

    Job Function : Athletic Affairs

    Job Family : Recreational Sports

    Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.

    Posting Disclaimer

    This posting is scheduled to close at 11 : 59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

    If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

    Equal Employment Opportunity

    Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

    Salary : $80,000 - $90,000

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