Association Group Exercise Director

Job Title: Association Group Exercise Director

Department: Health and Wellness

Location: South Shore YMCA, 75 Mill Street, Hanover, MA 02339

Position Type: Exempt / Full Time

Reports to: Health and Wellness Director, Emilson Y
 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Association Group Exercise Director is an Association-wide leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, quality, and growth of group exercise programming across all South Shore YMCA branches. While administratively based at the Emilson YMCA, this position provides leadership for instructor development, program innovation, digital fitness offerings, and operational excellence to ensure a consistent, engaging, and high-quality member experience throughout the Association.

Reporting to Health and Wellness Director and working collaboratively with Executive Directors, Health & Wellness Directors, branch teams, and other Association departments, the Association Group Exercise Director serves as the subject matter expert for group exercise. This role partners with branch leaders to strengthen instructor recruitment and development, optimize class schedules and participation, leverage data to inform decision-making, and implement best practices that support member engagement, retention, and organizational growth.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader who is passionate about creating exceptional fitness experiences, developing high-performing teams, and fostering an inclusive culture where members of all ages and abilities feel welcomed, connected, and inspired to achieve their wellness goals.

OUR CULTURE

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. At the South Shore Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and make a difference. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

MEMBER / CUSTOMER SERVICE STATEMENT

Members / customers are the heart of our organization. They are the reason we exist.  Members are the most important visitors we have, whether they visit by mail, phone, online, or in person. They are not statistics and always deserve our respect. Behind safety, no matter what we are hired to do, satisfying members’ needs and wants is everyone’s first and most important responsibility.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide equitable leadership, coaching, and support across all branches while maintaining consistent standards.
• Design data-informed schedules based on member demand—not instructor availability—including a balanced mix of 30-, 45-, and 60-minute classes plus introductory classes that reduce barriers to entry.
• Lead quarterly schedule launches as signature recruitment opportunities in partnership with Membership and Marketing.
• Develop year-round instructor recruitment, onboarding, recognition, and leadership pathways that build a fun, inclusive, high-performing team reflective of the communities served.
• Foster strong collaboration between group exercise and personal training through two-way referral pathways that improve member outcomes.
• Own the group exercise experience within the YMCA member app, ensuring schedule accuracy, minimal cancellations, timely communication, and use of analytics for continuous improvement.
• Partner with the Playroom team to align child supervision hours with group exercise schedules to create a seamless family experience.
• Monitor participation, utilization, trends, and member feedback to continuously improve programming.
• Ensure budget accountability, instructor certifications, safety, and operational excellence.
• Success Measures
• Growth in participation and retention
• There is innovation and industry awareness evident in our offerings
• Membership growth associated with quarterly schedule launches
• High app schedule accuracy and reduced cancellations
• Strong instructor recruitment and retention
• Consistent association-wide member experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science or the equivalent work experience.
• 2–4 years of experience in Health and Wellness, overseeing and scheduling Group Exercise.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience teaching Group Exercise classes across multiple formats. Experience with Les Mills certification process preferred.
• Must display a track record of consistently building participation and member engagement in group exercise
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Ability to collaborate electively with senior leadership, department heads and consumers.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

WORK SCHEDULE & EXPECTATIONS

Primarily follows weekday business hours, with occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends required for executive meetings and events.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to: climb stairs, bend, stoop, kneel, twist, reach with hands, sit or stand for an extended period, walk, lift and/or move up to 30 pounds, have finger dexterity, grasp, perform repetitive motions, talk, hear and have visual acuity