Senior Association Director of Health Innovation and Wellness Growth

YMCA
Salary
$86,655.61
$112,652.29
How to Apply
Apply Online
Resumes Accepted Until
Work for a dynamic and growing association ranked a Top Workplace by the Philadelphia Inquirer two years in a row. 
Job Description

This position supports the mission and work of the Y, a leading nonprofit charitable organization. Under the direction of the Vice President of Health Strategies, this position supports the mission and work of the Y, a leading nonprofit charitable organization. Under the direction of the Vice President of Health Strategies, the Association Director of Fitness & Wellness Growth is responsible for driving the growth, execution, and performance of key fitness and wellness programs across the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. This role provides strategic, association-level leadership for personal training, small group training, and group exercise, with a clear focus on expanding program reach, deepening member engagement, and achieving measurable health outcomes.

The Association Director is accountable for designing, implementing, scaling, and evaluating programs consistently across all branches while supporting branch teams with hands-on guidance and clear standards. Beyond program development, this position requires strong skills in influence, supervision, collaboration, and fiscal stewardship. You will set and monitor key performance indicators, analyze data to measure impact, and report outcomes related to participation, member retention, and program sustainability.

This position requires comfort working in evolving environments, adapting to changing priorities, and building systems in emerging program areas. This role plays a critical part in advancing the Y's commitment to community health and wellness by delivering high-quality, mission-driven programs that are both impactful and financially sustainable. You will lead innovation in wellness programming—including wellness technology and incentive-based initiatives—and oversee the Fit Truk to ensure impactful community events, while maintaining consistency, quality, and scalability across the association.

This position requires significant in-person engagement, with approximately 50 percent of time spent in branches providing hands-on support, coaching, and connection. Less than 10 percent overnight travel for out-of-state conferences.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience with a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible and successful leadership experience with supporting/guiding teams to achieve set performance goals across multi sites.
  • At least 6 years of experience with YMCA Fitness and Wellness programs are strongly preferred.
  • Proven track record of wellness program and membership growth.
  • Robust collaboration within the Health Strategies team and across branches is essential.
  • Demonstrated ability to collect meaningful data and draw solid conclusions and skills in compiling and producing written reports.
  • Possess interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of core principles and best practices within healthy living and fitness programming and design.
  • Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and manage organizational strategies and actions to full execution.
  • Proven ability to resolve ambiguous problems and improvise solutions.
  • Previous experience with YMCA EBHIs preferred.
  • Demonstrated work experience working with both child and adult populations in diverse groups from all social and economic segments of the community.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills reflecting solid customer service.
  • Demonstrated ability to: form appropriate assessment-based relationships; exemplify excellent leadership qualities in managing associates tactfully; relate well in multicultural environments; maintain confidentiality throughout daily operations; maintain good communication skills and multitask efficiently; manage competing priorities and deadline; use time effectively; and focus on details.
  • Proficiency in computer skills including Word, Outlook, and Excel.
  • HIPAA Compliance certification required.
  • Budgeting experience is required.
  • Able to travel throughout the YMCA of Greater Brandywine service area is required.
  • Must be able to work flexible hours as needed.
Essential Functions
  • Provide association-wide leadership for the design, standardization, and growth of personal training, small group training, and group exercise programs across all YMCA of Greater Brandywine branches.
  • Develop and implement scalable program models that can be consistently executed across branches while allowing for appropriate local adaptation.
  • Establish clear program standards, structures, and expectations to ensure quality, consistency, and alignment with YGBW values.
  • Partner with branch leadership and wellness staff to support effective rollout, adoption, and ongoing execution of fitness and wellness initiatives.
  • Drive program growth by increasing participation, member engagement, and earned income through personal training, small group training, and group exercise offerings.
  • Define, track, and report on key performance indicators related to program participation, financial performance, retention, and community impact, using data to inform continuous improvement.
  • Lead the use and optimization of wellness technology platforms (e.g., Y360, Upace, EVOLT360, ActiveNet as applicable) to support program delivery, engagement, and reporting.
  • Collaborate with Membership and other association teams to align fitness and wellness programming with broader membership engagement and growth strategies.
  • Design and oversee association-wide wellness challenges, incentives, and signature initiatives that support member engagement and mission advancement.
  • Identify opportunities for innovation in fitness and wellness programming that respond to community needs, industry trends, and organizational priorities.
  • Build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders and community partners to support program success and community impact.
  • Support quality assurance efforts related to fitness and wellness programming, including preparation for internal or external reviews, audits, or certification processes, as applicable.
  • Operate effectively in evolving environments, demonstrating flexibility, sound judgment, and the ability to build structure where processes are still emerging.
  • Oversee Fit Truk, ensuring community access, program growth, and long-term sustainability.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

Change Leadership

Critical Thinking and Decision Making  

Communication and Influence

Required Certifications