Associate Vice President of Healthy Living

POSITION SUMMARY: 

Under the supervision of the Vice President of Operations and Healthy Living and in cooperation with YMCA staff, the Associate VP of Healthy Living ensures branches deliver a safe and high-quality member experience that is designed to meet the unique member programming and health and well-being goals of participants that the Y of the Triangle serves. The candidate must be able to apply critical thinking abilities and utilize effective communication skills to develop strategic plans and effective messages to support the YMCA of the Triangle’s Healthy Living efforts.   

The AVP of Healthy Living will partner with Branch Membership and Healthy Living Departments across the Association to develop curriculum and deliver engaging, high quality and consistent wellness programs that increase member engagement, retention, and growth of revenue. The incumbent will also focus on connecting members to small membership/wellness/fitness communities within our Y.  They will be responsible for managing such functions in accordance with the stated mission and polices established by the administrative staff, governing committees, and Board of Directors of the YMCA.   

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

Strategy, Programs & Growth 

• Provides vision and leadership for the YMCA of the Triangle’s Membership Experience. Accountable for program design implementation for existing and future program models and ensuring program fidelity. 
• Responsible for developing, leading and supporting the YMCA of the Triangle’s Membership and Wellness/Fitness Programs – focusing on group fitness, personal/small group training and member onboarding – in collaboration and partnership with Membership, Healthy Living Directors, ARC and branch leadership. 
• Leads innovation, collaboration and program integration among Membership, Wellness, Personal Training and Group Fitness Programs. 
• Responsible for developing, leading and supporting the YMCA of the Triangle’s Personal Training and Small Group Training Program in collaboration and partnership with Healthy Living Directors and branch leadership. 
• Responsibility for leading efforts with Healthy Living Directors and branch leadership to grow revenue of Personal Training/Small Group programs 
• Leads the planning, project management, and execution of association-wide program launches, service enhancements, curriculum updates, and strategic initiatives, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with organizational goals. 
• Serves as executive sponsor and project leader for enterprise Healthy Living and Membership initiatives, coordinating cross-functional teams, resources, timelines, communications, and implementation plans across the Association. 
• Research, report and make decisions based on analytics of the latest trends and development in the membership and fitness industry. 

Operations, Performance & Continuous Improvement 

• Monitors and tracks all data related to membership and wellness programs across the association. Develops strategies to close gaps identified in relevant data related to the various program areas: Membership, Group Fitness, Personal Training/Small Group Training, and Equipment. 
• Explores ways, through data-driven decisions, to enhance and promote the quality of the association’s membership and wellness programs with a focus on membership growth and retention. 
• Monitors and tracks all data related to group fitness, personal training and small group training across the association including branch reservations systems, participation numbers and quality/experience of class participants – to inform schedules, offerings and growth opportunities. Works in collaboration with IT to create tools in PowerBI. 
• Develops project charters, implementation plans, success metrics, and stakeholder communication strategies for major operational and strategic initiatives. 
• Works with Branch and Association Operation teams to evaluate group wellness/fitness environments (i.e. studio lighting, sound systems, supplemental equipment, stage, flooring, and color schemes) and makes recommendations to enhance the experience/program. 

People Leadership, Training & Team Development 

• Supervises, coaches and leads the Healthy Living/Membership Experience team comprised of Association Director of Member Experience, Association Director of Wellness Experience and Association Equipment Coordinator. 
• Leads the collaboration with the Association Director of Community Health and the Association Director of Membership Experience and Association Director Wellness Experience to:  
• Support the innovation, pathway, engagement, and onboarding of members to group wellness programs. 
• Support the pathway, engagement, and onboarding of members into Community health programs. 
• Support all members in their journey to reach their health and wellness goals. 
• Works collaboratively with the Operational Vice Presidents, ARC Department Heads, Employee Resource Groups, and Branch leadership to:  
• Provide on-going leadership and direction to membership and wellness professionals 
• Ensure consistent on-boarding for new membership, wellness and group fitness full-time directors and staff 
• Ensure program quality, standards and expectations in related areas that meet the needs of our existing membership in supporting their health and well-being goals 
• Provides leadership and supports the work of the Membership (Membership Directors) and Wellness Teams (Healthy Living Directors) at branches and other cross-departmental teams related to member experience. 
• Leads and facilitates cross-functional project teams, steering committees, and workgroups, ensuring accountability, alignment, and successful execution of strategic priorities. 
• Supports recruitment and selection of wellness staff across multiple dimensions of diversity, supporting branches to acquire and develop high-quality Adult Associates, Healthy Living Directors, group fitness instructors, personal trainers, and wellness coaches. 
• Actively audits classes and programs for quality, instructor coaching opportunities and curriculum delivery - working during branch peak hours, which include mornings, evenings and weekends. 
• Supports the Association’s Quarterly Launch for new Group Wellness/Fitness Programs. This includes branch team practices, tracking allocations, and supporting all education/curriculum efforts of new program materials for the Y. 
• Designs and leads an onboarding system for wellness, personal training and group fitness for current and new YMCA members. 
• Provides strategic oversight and project governance for the Personal Training and Small Group Training portfolio, including planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement efforts. 

Partnerships, Resources & Communication 

• Leads enterprise equipment planning and capital projects, including needs assessment, budgeting, vendor coordination, implementation planning, stakeholder communication, and project execution. 
• Works collaboratively with the CFO, COO, VP of Finance, VP of Healthy Living creating the annual equipment budget. 
• In partnership with the Association Equipment Coordinator, leads wellness floor design and fitness equipment asset management. 
• Negotiates contracts, builds and maintains relationships with equipment vendors who supply products and services for wellness, personal training, and group fitness programs. 
• Leads the Personal Training and Small Group Training Project Team. 
• Leads and directs the implementation and ongoing integration of fitness engagement technology platforms, including Fisikal, NetGym, Myzone, and Evolt, while supporting the strategic vision and direction of the YMCA mobile app. 
• Ensures brand compliance within Association standards through marketing and communication efforts. 
• Works in partnership with marketing & communications department to create tailored marketing collateral for membership/group wellness/fitness/exercise for both internal and external audiences. 
• Maintains regular, clear, and concise communication within area of responsibility. 
• Models relationship-building and engagement skills in all wellness/membership interactions Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with branch leadership, membership teams and healthy living staff. 
• Assists with Annual Campaign, as assigned. 
• Completion of all required annual trainings related to safety, compliance, and child protection as assigned. 
• Responsible for other opportunities as assigned by VP of Operations and Health Living and the Association. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business, organizational development, fitness, kinesiology or a related field is required; advanced degree or equivalent experience is a plus. 
• 8+ years of progressively responsible senior leadership experience in a membership-based organization, sales, or customer service industry. 
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale, cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives from planning through implementation, including management of timelines, resources, budgets, stakeholders, and organizational change. 
• Proven success leading complex program, policy, technology, and operational initiatives, including project planning, implementation, change management, and organizational adoption. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the current membership and fitness industry trends, corporate wellness program development and sales strategies. 
• Strong project management, organizational planning, and execution skills with the ability to simultaneously manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders. 
• Discipline-specific licensures and/or certifications are required. Candidates must possess a nationally recognized certification in either Group Fitness (e.g., AFAA, ACE, Les Mills) or Personal Training upon hire and must obtain certification in the other discipline within an agreed upon timeline of employment. Ability to effectively teach and model best practices in both Group Fitness and Personal Training environments is required. 
• Hold or be willing to obtain Basic Life Support, Basic First Aid, and Emergency Oxygen within the first 30 days of employment.  
• Experience in a non-profit setting is preferred. 
• Cultivates and actively promotes caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility in all interactions. 
• Solid business acumen and a strategic mindset, with a keen understanding of business imperatives and organizational priorities. Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and manage complex budgets, evaluate financial performance and pricing models, and take proactive, decisive action to drive results and ensure financial sustainability. 
• Proven ability to develop, lead, and motivate staff, volunteers, and cross-functional teams while fostering a collaborative and engaging work environment. 
• Excellent organizational, project and time management, and communication skills—both written and verbal—including the ability to deliver compelling presentations and engage audiences in person and through virtual platforms. 
• Strong leadership, project governance, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and align senior leaders, branch teams, vendors, and cross-functional partners toward successful project outcomes. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

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

• Primarily office setting with occasional 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 for extended periods of time. 
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, and reaching; occasional lifting or moving up to 40 lbs. 
• Must reside in the greater Triangle area of North Carolina (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill and surrounding areas). 
• 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. 
• This position is 100% in person, with the flexibility to work at various branches and program locations across the YMCA of the Triangle as needed. 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.