Position Summary
The Fitness and Aquatics Director provides strategic, operational, and mission-driven leadership for the YWCA of Asheville and WNC's fitness center and aquatics departments. This role oversees comprehensive pool operations, staff supervision, and safety compliance, while ensuring the execution of inclusive, trauma-informed wellness programming. The Fitness and Aquatics Director drives membership engagement for a diverse group of members, increasing both earned revenue and therefore accessibility to the YWCA for members across all parts of the communities we serve, both financially and in terms of demographics.
Working in close alignment with operational and executive leadership, this position carries immense significance during our $3.5 million natatorium renovation and expansion project (a natatorium is a building that houses an indoor swimming pool). The Director will drive aquatics continuity planning, staff retention, and community communication, ensuring that the facility's physical transformation mirrors our deeper commitment to health equity, body inclusivity, and wellness for EveryBODY.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Inclusive Movement & Wellness for EveryBODY
- Champion a strict "Health at Any Size" (HAES) philosophy across all gym floors and aquatic spaces, empowering members to move with a focus on functional mobility and flexibility.
- At the YWCA, we step into empowerment, leaving shame-based fitness culture at the door. Our team is here to make sure every single person feels welcome, respected, and safe at every size, age, background, identity, and fitness level. We treat each other with kindness, and we ask our members to practice that same kindness toward themselves and others.
- Train fitness and aquatics staff to utilize trauma-informed approaches to physical movement, recognizing that a safe pool and gym environment is an integral aspect of dignity, safety, and social justice.
- Create individualized and group programming that helps members make peace with their bodies, shifting metrics of success from weight loss to mindfulness, strength, and overall well-being.
- Collaborate with local coalitions to advocate for health equity and reduce chronic disease impact among targeted Western North Carolina populations.
2. Heavy Aquatics Focus & Capital Relaunch
- Direct all Asheville-based aquatics operations, positioning the pool as the premier regional center for inclusive aquatic therapy, youth swim equity, and low-impact lifelong movement.
- Execute precise operational alignment alongside the Chief Operating Officer (COO), translating structural milestones into practical staffing ramp-ups, continual budget forecasting, and programmatic readiness.
- Serve as the public face and programmatic architect of the natatorium expansion, ensuring that the newly introduced ADA-accessible features and all-gender restrooms translate directly into expanded community access.
- Manage strict compliance with Buncombe County and state health codes, ensuring absolute fidelity in water safety, chemistry testing, and crisis-prevention training.
- Recruit, train, and schedule lifeguards and instructors, maintaining meticulous records of required safety certifications.
- Lead Emergency Action Plans (EAP) and conduct regular in-service safety drills.
3. Fitness & Wellness Innovation
- Oversee group fitness classes, personal training programs, and specialized health promotion initiatives that are culturally relevant to a diverse membership base.
- Recruit, evaluate, and mentor fitness floor staff, personal trainers, and group exercise instructors.
- Curate an evolving group fitness schedule that drives member retention, aligns with current public health strategies, and supports revenue targets.
- Ensure all gym and fitness equipment is safely operated, meticulously inspected, and routinely maintained in coordination with facility teams.
- Utilize membership data, data management software (e.g., Daxko), and user feedback to continuously improve participant satisfaction.
4. Department Operations & Administration
- Develop and balance the annual fitness and aquatics department budgets, maximizing program revenue while monitoring payroll and supplies.
- Partner with the Advancement team to support grant-funded wellness programming, donor-supported swim lessons, and scholarship-backed memberships.
- Partner with the Marketing & Communications Director to promote health and wellness programming across Asheville and Western North Carolina media channels .
- Review membership structures annually alongside the senior program leadership team to support regional outreach goals.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Recreation Management, Kinesiology (how the human body moves), Health Promotion, Business, or a related field. Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH), Social Work (MSW), or Health Administration preferred.
Experience: Minimum 4–5 years of progressive fitness or aquatics facility management experience, with at least 3 years in a direct supervisory role.
Required Certifications:
Current CPR/AED and First Aid certification (or commitment to renew within 30 days).
Nationally recognized Personal Training, Health Coaching, or Group Fitness certification.
Preferred Certifications:
Certified Pool Operator (CPO) or Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) certification (or willingness to obtain within 6 months)
Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) or Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and capability to master membership platforms like Daxko.
Core Competencies: Deep alignment, practice, and knowledge in racial justice and body inclusivity work, including in the fitness industry; Exceptional cross-cultural communication skills, and comfort managing operations during major facility transformations.
Direct Reports: Health and Wellness Coordinator, Lifeguards, Swim Instructors, Front Desk Coordinator. Contract Group Instructors and Personal Trainers report to the Health and Wellness Coordinator. Front Desk Associates report to the Front Desk Coordinator.
Schedule: Full-Time (40 hours/week); flexibility required: including availability in early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed for organizational success
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
- Ability to pass standard aquatic safety and water rescue proficiency evaluations if required for safety oversight.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, and navigate a pool deck or fitness floor for extended periods.
- Ability to occasionally lift and move up to 50 lbs of facility equipment or supplies.
- Regular exposure to pool chemicals, humidity, and variable indoor temperatures
Benefits
YWCA offers a competitive executive compensation and benefits package, including comprehensive health and welfare benefits, retirement savings opportunities, employer-sponsored insurance programs, wellness resources, and other benefits designed to support employees' financial, physical, and personal well-being. Details of the executive compensation and benefits package will be discussed with selected candidates.
YWCA Asheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As such, in compliance with and as required by federal and state law, all applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, disability, or genetic information.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.
