VP Health & Wellness (Fitness Operations) - Ymca Of DE Association Resource Center

The VP establishes a scalable, high-quality model for fitness programs across all branches, setting standards for programs, equipment, vendor partnerships, and staff development.

This role is heavily focused on Fitness Operations, Group Exercise, and Personal Training, while driving greater association-wide alignment and shared support strategies that enhance operational excellence, program consistency, and the overall member experience. The Vice President will expand the YMCA's impact through innovation, strategic partnerships, and a holistic approach to wellness, positioning Health and Wellness as a key driver of member engagement, community belonging, and long-term organizational sustainability.

Our Promise:

Ensure every youth and teen we serve is on a pathway to success

Improve the health and wellbeing of every individual and family we serve

Unite communities and inspire service to others

Benefits & Perks:

Full benefits package including Dental, Vision & Health Insurance

Generous PTO vacation starting at 2 weeks, 12 paid holidays, and sick leave

Free Nationwide Y Membership for your Household

12% Employer-Funded Retirement Plan upon meeting eligibility

Learning and development workshops

Career advancement opportunities

Staff Discounts on Programs & Services and more!

Salary: $109,000 - $137,000 per year. Final compensation is based on factors such as skills, qualifications, and experience.

Essential Responsibilities

Product Line Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as the enterprise leader of the Health & Wellness product line, setting strategy, driving performance, and ensuring alignment across all branches.
• Develop and execute a holistic, association-wide health and wellness strategy that integrates physical, mental, and social well-being.
• Own growth and performance across Personal Training, Small Group Training, Group Exercise, and New Member Onboarding.
• Establish and manage key performance indicators (KPIs), holding branch teams accountable for revenue, participation, and retention outcomes.
• Identify, pilot, and scale innovative programs that expand reach, strengthen impact, and position the YMCA as a leader in community-based wellness.

Member Experience & Engagement

• Design and lead a system-wide onboarding strategy that drives conversion to ongoing fitness participation.
• Increase member retention through structured onboarding, fitness appointments, and program engagement.
• Ensure a high-quality, consistent member experience across all locations, reducing variability and strengthening brand standards.

Group Exercise & Program Excellence

• Establish association-wide standards for group exercise scheduling, quality, and instructor performance.
• Ensure schedules are data-driven, balanced, and aligned with member demand and peak usage.
• Implement systems for instructor onboarding, evaluation, and ongoing development.
• Drive innovation in programming to reflect industry trends and evolving member needs.

Operational Excellence & Standardization

• Develop and implement standardized operating procedures across all core offerings, including:
• Personal Training
• Small Group Training
• New Member Onboarding
• Wellness Floor engagement
• Conduct regular audits to ensure quality, consistency, and compliance with safety and certification standards.

Equipment & Vendor Strategy

• Establish and manage association-wide equipment standards and lifecycle planning.
• Oversee equipment selection, purchasing, and capital planning.
• Negotiate and manage vendor partnerships to drive quality, innovation, and cost efficiency.
• Ensure preventative maintenance standards are in place and consistently executed.

Talent Development & Organizational Leadership

• Develop and implement scalable onboarding, training, and performance systems for all Health and Wellness staff.
• Lead, coach, and develop Healthy Living Directors, building a high-performing and accountable leadership team.
• Establish clear performance expectations tied to engagement, revenue, and member experience.
• Build a strong leadership pipeline and succession plan across the association.
• Assess and evolve the organizational structure of the Health and Wellness function, including exploring opportunities for more coordinated, association-wide support models over time.

Financial Performance & Accountability

• Own the financial performance of the Health and Wellness product line, including revenue growth, expense management, and overall contribution to association sustainability.
• Develop and manage the annual budget, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
• Monitor payroll, productivity, and program performance to improve operating margin.

External Leadership & Partnerships

• Position the YMCA of Delaware as a leader in health and wellness through community engagement, partnerships, and industry presence.
• Build and manage relationships with healthcare providers and community organizations to expand reach and impact.
• Contribute to regional and national YMCA initiatives, sharing best practices and advancing innovation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to serve a diverse community.
• Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Business Administration, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in multi-site fitness or healthy living operations.
• Demonstrated success in revenue growth, staff development, and operational standardization.
• Supervision and management of staff.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets and vendor contracts.
• Ability to lead change and influence across multiple branches.
• Experience developing mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Ability to travel throughout Delaware.

Preferred Qualifications

• Multi-lingual
• Four or more years of experience as a personal trainer
• Master's Degree
• YMCA Team Leader or Multi-Team/Branch Leader certification, and or related job training in leadership development.

The YMCA of Delaware is an equal opportunity employer. The Y maintains a work environment in which staff are treated fairly and with respect and in which discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. In accordance with federal, state and local laws, we recruit, hire, promote and evaluate all applicants and staff without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, disability, veteran or military status, domestic or sexual violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination will not be a factor in any employment decision.