| Position Summary: The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) is a forward-thinking student success operation committed to its role as the leading custodial unit guiding the student experience at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). Staff members within DSA are expected to positively contribute to our mission of supporting students in the co-curricular environment and provide an experience that inspires students academically, personally, and emotionally.
The Assistant Director of Fitness & Member Services serves as an integral member of the Department of Campus Recreation at the University of Northern Colorado, contributing to the holistic development and well-being of students and the campus community through the leadership and administration of a diverse range of programs, including Personal Training, Group Fitness, Wellness Education, and Aquatics. Additionally, the Assistant Director is the primary liaison for our members through management of the membership program and associated services. This position provides strategic oversight for program planning, implementation, and assessment while ensuring effective risk management, fiscal stewardship, equipment and facility operations, and marketing initiatives.
The Assistant Director fosters a vibrant and inclusive community by providing student staff and participants with strong leadership, supportive mentoring and coaching, open and responsive communication, and visible engagement that promotes belonging and personal growth. As a member of the department’s leadership team, the Assistant Director plays a vital role in advancing departmental and university initiatives through active collaboration with colleagues and staff to support projects, programs, and events that enhance the student experience and promote community engagement. The Assistant Director is expected to model professionalism, adaptability, and teamwork, contributing to a positive and inclusive departmental culture while assuming additional responsibilities as needed to further the mission and goals of Campus Recreation and the University of Northern Colorado. Job Duties: Program Administration (50%) - Provide leadership in the design, implementation, and management of a comprehensive Fitness and Wellness program that includes Personal Training, Group Fitness, Wellness Education, Aquatics, special events, and outreach initiatives for the university community.
- Supervise the operations and compliance of fitness and aquatic programs, including budget oversight, staff certification and training, and adherence to university and industry safety standards.
- Recruit and retain memberships through targeted marketing, engaging programming, and strong member relations.
- Oversee program marketing and communication efforts, including coordinating updates to the website, social media, and promotional materials, to enhance participation and visibility across campus.
- Instruct fitness preparation courses, host on-site certifications, and facilitate continuing education opportunities to support staff development and program quality.
- Collaborate with the School of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Dietetics to develop and support internship and co-op experiences that provide students with meaningful co-curricular learning and career preparation opportunities.
- Develop and promote collaborative wellness initiatives with campus partners, such as the Office of Health Promotion and their Stress Less Week.
- Manage program logistics, including facility scheduling, equipment maintenance, and the effective use of registration and participant management software systems.
- Administer program budgets, monitor expenditures and revenues, and prepare periodic reports to support assessment, planning, and strategic decision-making.
- Lead or contribute to departmental events and initiatives, such as RecFest, the Homecoming 5K, and new student orientation activities, supporting Campus Recreation’s mission of holistic student engagement and well-being.
Personnel Management and Student Development (25%) - Hire, train, and supervise all fitness and wellness program student staff, interns and one graduate assistant.
- Recruit, hire, train, and supervise a diverse student staff team, including a graduate assistant, personal trainers, fitness instructors, and wellness programming staff, as well as, provide direction to contracted staff that assist with fitness classes and massage services.
- Develop and implement comprehensive training, continuing education, and leadership development opportunities for student employees and/or participants through workshops, certification or preparation courses, and experiential learning initiatives.
- Manage student staff scheduling, performance evaluation, and ongoing communication to promote accountability, skill development, and a positive work environment.
- Collaborate with Facility and Operations staff on membership and facility access processes.
- Foster a culture of growth and inclusion by intentionally supporting students’ personal and professional development through mentorship and engagement in co-curricular learning experiences.
Risk Management (15%) - Develop, implement, and regularly update a comprehensive risk management plan for all Fitness & Wellness programs, ensuring compliance with departmental and university policies related to first aid, HIPAA regulations, unhealthy behaviors, and emergency response.
- Ensure that exercise spaces, equipment, and program areas are properly prepared, maintained, and operated to provide a safe environment for participants, staff, and spectators.
- Maintain current instructor certifications in American Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and AED; coordinate and instruct certification courses for Campus Recreation.
Assessment and Reporting (10%) - Administer online assessments and surveys to evaluate participant satisfaction, gather feedback, and measure achievement of learning outcomes.
- Prepare and compile comprehensive reports and program statistics for Fitness & Wellness and Memberships for inclusion in the Campus Recreation Annual Report.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records of health, personal training, injuries, and incidents, ensuring participant safety and compliance with reporting protocols.
Minimum Qualifications: Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Health Education, Community or Public Health or related field is required. Because this position will work with and mentor graduate students, a Master’s degree is preferred. Experience: A minimum of two years of full-time professional experience coordinating and developing fitness and wellness programs is required. The ideal candidate will also have at least two years of experience in student affairs or a related field, with demonstrated expertise in fitness instruction, personal training, staff supervision, risk management, fitness program operations and membership sales. Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills are essential. Additional preferred qualifications include experience in recreation program development, familiarity with NIRSA fitness and aquatic standards, and proficiency with Fusion software. Certification/Registration/Licensing: - American Red Cross CPR, First Aid and AED certification is required.
- American Red Cross CPR, First Aid and AED Instructor certification is required or must be obtained within the first month of employment.
- Possess a certification through a nationally recognized organization, such as:
*American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
*American Council on Exercise (ACE)
*National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), or equivalent. Ability: The required abilities for the Assistant Director of Fitness and Wellness include the following: a) Knowledge of fitness and wellness programming;
b) Ability to apply fitness industry principles and practices;
c) Leadership abilities and student development skills;
d) Ability to interpret and apply industry research;
e) Effective written and verbal communication skills;
f) Customer service and policy enforcement skills;
g) Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and related industry software;
h) Ability to work with diverse student populations;
i) Knowledge of assessment and research methods;
j) Basic cash-handling or accounting knowledge. Special Considerations: This position is student-facing position and must be in-person with some exceptions as determined by the Office of Human Resources and their supervisor. The Assistant Director is required to work a varied schedule, including regular business hours, early mornings, late nights and weekends. The individual must be self-directed and possess the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within the Department of Campus Recreation. |