Healthy Living Group Ex Program Director

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Healthy Living | Group Ex Program Director provides leadership in developing, managing, and expanding programs that align with the YMCA’s mission and community needs. This role oversees program development, operations, and budgets, while supervising and mentoring staff and volunteers to achieve excellence in service delivery. The Program Director also plays a key role in cultivating community partnerships, leading fundraising efforts, and driving program innovation in accordance with strategic and operational goals. Through strong leadership and relationship-building, this position strengthens engagement, supports organizational initiatives, and advances the YMCA’s impact in the community. 

This position is a regional role and covers programming at the Alexander Family YMCA and the Poyner YMCA. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

Program Leadership 

• Provide vision and direction for program operations that reflect the YMCA’s mission and respond to evolving community needs. 
• Maintain consistent daily presence in programs to support quality, safety, and staff oversight, following association-specific expectations for direct service coverage and onsite visitation. 
• Lead the design, development, and expansion of programs in alignment with strategic and operational goals. 
• Ensure smooth coordination of facilities and logistics to support high-quality program delivery and events. 

Staff Development 

• Recruit, hire, train, and mentor part-time and full-time staff and volunteers, fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, and continuous learning. 
• Develop staffing plans and schedules, conduct performance evaluations, and implement strategies to motivate teams and achieve program goals. 
• Maintain current certifications and records for staff in accordance with YMCA standards and policies. 

Community Engagement & Outreach 

• Cultivate and sustain strong partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and other organizations to deepen program impact and community connections. 
• Lead outreach, marketing, and registration efforts to promote programs and ensure equitable access. 

Fiscal Stewardship 

• Develop and oversee program budgets to meet financial objectives and ensure responsible stewardship of resources. 
• Contribute to the YMCA Annual Campaign by leading volunteer teams, supporting fundraising events, and achieving an individual fundraising goal that advances the branch’s overall target.

Program Experience 

• Model exceptional relationship-building skills in all interactions, creating a welcoming and responsive environment for members, families, and staff. 
• Address inquiries and concerns with professionalism and care, ensuring timely resolution and member satisfaction. 
• Collect and analyze program data to evaluate effectiveness, inform improvements, and celebrate outcomes. 
• Maintain a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, to meet program and organizational needs. 
• Additional Responsibilities 
• Take on other duties as assigned to support the YMCA’s mission and organizational priorities. 
• Completion of all required annual trainings related to safety, compliance, and child protection as assigned. 

PROGRAM SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Manage and publish the group fitness schedule, ensuring class offerings are current, well-communicated, and member-focused. 
• Track attendance and adjust classes based on trends and member needs; maintain quality updates on the group fitness mobile app. 
• Conduct regular class audits to ensure alignment with YMCA standards and provide constructive feedback to instructors. 
• Oversee studio equipment maintenance to ensure safe and efficient operation. 
• Support branch health and well-being initiatives by fostering member connection and promoting a positive wellness environment. 
• Serve in classes as a group fitness instructor, supporting members in their fitness goals. 
• Develops, promotes and delivers high-quality wellness programs serving members, volunteers and program participants with an intentional focus on relationships, engagement and skill development. 
• Plans and implements association group fitness challenges and branch-specific wellness incentive programs to create a motivating and inclusive group fitness environment. 
• Assists with Evidence-Based Health Initiatives (EBHI) to promote community health and member outcomes. 
• Serves on the wellness floor as a Personal Trainer and Small Group Trainer, supporting members in their fitness goals. 
• Acts as a key member of the Leadership Engagement Team, including opening, closing, and weekend shifts to build strong member relationships. 
• Assist with planning and executing wellness events such as triathlons, fitness challenges, and health fairs  
• Collaborate with the Y-Health team to promote and deliver health-related programs . 
• Facilitates high quality training opportunities for instructors.    
• Obtain and maintain required certifications within 30 days of hire: CPRO, Basic First Aid, and Administering Emergency Oxygen. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in related field such as Exercise Science, Kinesiology or Health Promotion preferred. 
• Minimum of 1-3 years experience in wellness program development or related work. 
• NCCA accredited group fitness or personal training certification required.   
• Experienced in and passionate about creating and fostering communities and relationship building through programs.  
• Demonstrated experience in program and personnel development.  
• Ability to effectively manage staff and programs.   
• Exceptional oral, public speaking, and written communication skills.    
• Possess a high level of organization, ability to prioritize and possess the capacity to respond and handle multiple tasks appropriately in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.  
• Requires a positive attitude, high level of initiative and professionalism, and enjoy working in and creating a strong team environment.  
• Demonstrate initiative, effectively prioritize, and possess strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.   
• Capacity to assist in the management of facilities, equipment, and programs.  
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.  
• Multilingual desired but not required.  
   

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

• Primarily office and program settings with frequent interaction in gyms, classrooms, and outdoor spaces. 
• Moderate noise levels; may be louder during youth or community activities. 
• Regular use of computer, phone, and other office technology. 
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and reaching; occasional lifting or moving up to 40 lbs. 
• Some work performed outdoors in varying weather conditions. 
• Flexible schedule required — may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and occasional travel between branches or sites. 
• Must be able to provide valid identification for employment eligibility verification.  
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have access to reliable transportation.  
• A clean driving record is required to meet YMCA insurance standards.  
• Travel between branch and/or site locations, and to off-site meetings and events is required. 
• Must reside in the YMCA of the Triangle service area (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill and surrounding areas). 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.