How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
Department Summary
The Michigan Recreation Department at the University of Michigan is dedicated to fostering a healthy lifestyle through engagement, leadership, and active participation. The department manages several programs, four indoor facilities, three outdoor field complexes, and an adventure-based education center. The department plays a vital role in campus life with a team of 36 full-time staff members and over 650 student employees. Established in 1913, it is recognized as one of the pioneering collegiate recreation programs. It was the first to open a facility specifically for student recreation-the Intramural Sports Building, which debuted in 1928. Michigan Recreation operates under the Division of Student Life, reporting to the Associate Vice President of Student Life for Health and Wellness.
Job Summary
The Assistant Director will lead the management and expansion of our fitness and wellness programs, with a focus on personal training and specialized group training initiatives, as well as other initiatives that align with campus and departmental wellness strategies and policies. This role requires providing program leadership and vision for both areas, including supervising the associated staff. Key responsibilities include creating budgets, policies, and procedures, supervising the Program Manager for Personal Training, and overseeing daily operations. The Assistant Director will be instrumental in developing the training curriculum for personal training and specialized group training modalities. The role also involves maintaining multiple fitness certifications and occasionally serving as a backup trainer. Moreover, the Assistant Director will represent the department on various assigned committees.
Responsibilities*
Program Oversight (55%):
- Personal Training and Specialized Group Training:
- Ensure Michigan Recreation provides high-quality personal training services and specialized group training across three comprehensive recreation facilities, meeting the needs of the campus community.
- Foster a welcoming environment within all personal and specialized group training programs.
- Develop innovative programs that align with the mission and financial goals of the department, while continually assessing and mitigating risks associated with these programming areas.
- Lead curriculum development and update for trainer mentorship programs for personal training & specialized group training.
- Implement and manage digital training software and programs to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of personal and group training services.
- Research and evaluate current fitness trends and user needs to develop and offer relevant specialized group training programs.
- Design and develop educational workshops and fitness/wellness staff in-services to ensure ongoing professional development.
- Stay updated on anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics through continuing education to ensure best practices in training.
- Cultivate positive and productive relationships in a collaborative team setting.
- Develop and revise administrative policies and procedures within the areas of responsibility (e.g., personal training and specialized group training staff handbooks and training).
- Set learning outcomes and conduct comprehensive program assessments in specific areas of responsibility to inform fitness and wellness program development and implementation.
- Drive Michigan Recreation membership sales through the creation of new and innovative fitness and wellness programs.
- Collaboration: Work in partnership with other Student Life units, university departments, and community outreach programs to support collective wellness programming efforts and promote healthy lifestyle education.
Staff Oversight (20%):
- Manage payroll of all staff within the scope of supervision.
- Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for staff to ensure they remain current with certifications, trends, and best practices in fitness training.
- Ensure direct reports positively represent the Department; evaluate and provide regular feedback to direct reports; ensure the hiring and development of student programming staff meets Department needs and goals.
Fiscal Oversight (15%):
- Prepare, oversee, forecast, and manage the operating budgets of areas of oversight; approve expenditures of direct reports, manage the fitness equipment replacement schedule; ensure compliance of operations with Department, Division, and University policies.
- Work collaboratively with departmental financial staff and the Student Life Budget and Finance team. Establish and meet revenue goals.
- Supervise overall program payroll.
Leadership (10%):
- Provide departmental leadership; develop and enforce departmental policies; ensure the development of students in all areas of supervision.
- Serve on committees or work teams to support the Department, Division, and University; collaborate with University colleagues to represent the Department.
- Provide leadership for the development of fitness certification programs. Develop and implement training and ongoing education programs for fitness staff.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree in recreation, health, wellness, kinesiology, science, or a related field
- Minimum of 4 years of experience managing personal training or fitness programs, or an equivalent combination of experience and expertise, including staff supervision
- Minimum of 4 years of experience as a personal trainer
- Current personal trainer certification (ACE, ACSM, NSCA, or similar)
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
Financial/Budgetary Responsibility
- This position has oversight of the development and administration of the annual budgets in the Personal Training and Specialized Group Training programs. The total annual budget responsibility of this position is estimated to be $175,000.
Working conditions
- Provide 1-3 hours a week of practical instruction (training clients or leading Specialized Group Training). On occasion could be expected to work evening hours or weekends to support Michigan Recreation events
Direct reports
- This role supervises the Program Manager - Personal Training
This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.
Selected candidates whose start date is 4/1/2025 or after, will not be eligible for the university FY25-26 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified.
Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.
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Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.