Description:
Fitness and Wellness Manager, Group Exercise
Classification: Exempt, Salaried
Reports to: Fitness and Wellness Director
Date: November 2026
Summary/objective:
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Group Exercise Manager to lead one of the most vibrant fitness communities in Austin. This is a full-time, exempt leadership position responsible for overseeing all aspects of our group exercise program, including instructor recruitment and development, programming, payroll administration, member satisfaction, operational excellence, and community engagement. Success in this role requires someone who thrives on building meaningful relationships with both members and staff, confidently addresses concerns with professionalism and empathy, and creates an inclusive, welcoming fitness culture where people feel connected and inspired to return.
Essential functions:
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Recruit, hire, onboard, train, schedule, supervise, and develop a high-performing team of group exercise instructors, empowering them to make independent decisions while maintaining program standards.
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Foster a positive, engaging fitness community by building strong relationships with members, instructors, and colleagues throughout the organization.
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Serve as the primary point of contact for member concerns, complaints, and service recovery, responding with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment to resolve issues effectively.
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Develop innovative group exercise programming that grows participation, increases member engagement, and supports department goals.
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Establish, maintain, and enforce operational standards, policies, and best practices for group exercise programming.
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Lead the planning and execution of group exercise events, specialty classes, and ancillary fitness programming.
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Establish and communicate team expectations regarding attendance, professionalism, timeliness, and customer service.
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Utilize the GroupEx PRO platform to manage instructor schedules, publish class offerings, coordinate substitutes, and communicate schedule updates to members.
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Partner with the Marketing team to ensure the timely and accurate publication of monthly group exercise schedules across digital and print platforms.
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Develop and maintain monthly and annual participation reports, providing meaningful data and recommendations to the Fitness & Wellness Director and Member Experience Team.
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Provide leadership and operational support throughout the fitness center, including collaboration with personal trainers, fitness floor attendants, interns, and other department staff.
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Ensure the safety, health, and well-being of all participants through consistent adherence to safety standards and risk management practices.
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Conduct daily facility walkthroughs to ensure studios are clean, safe, well-maintained, and equipped for exceptional member experiences.
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Manage departmental resources responsibly by maintaining efficient instructor schedules, monitoring program expenses, and purchasing equipment and supplies within approved budgets.
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Process, review, and approve instructor payroll accurately and on time, including verifying class attendance, instructor substitutions, hours worked, and payroll documentation while maintaining compliance with organizational payroll policies and deadlines.
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Directly manage the group exercise operating budget of approximately $100,000, including instructor payroll, equipment purchases, and program expenses.
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Respond promptly to member requests, feedback, refunds, and service concerns while consistently delivering exceptional customer service.
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Collaborate with the Member Experience Team, including Membership, Aquatics, Tennis, Athletics, J Camps, Human Resources, Marketing, and Fitness & Wellness, to create a seamless member experience.
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Work collaboratively across departments, including Jewish Family Service (JFS), to develop, maintain, and promote wellness programming for older adults and other specialized populations.
Requirements:
- 3+ years related experience or the equivalent combination of education, certification, and experience.
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CPR, First Aid, and AED certified.
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Proficiency using Microsoft 365 apps.
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Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to connect with a diverse membership community.
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Strong conflict resolution and customer service skills, with confidence handling sensitive conversations and resolving member concerns.
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Outstanding organizational and time management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities.
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Experience leading, coaching, and motivating a large team of fitness professionals.
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High attention to detail, particularly regarding scheduling, payroll accuracy, and operational execution.
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A collaborative leadership style that values communication, accountability, and continuous improvement.
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Passion for creating a welcoming fitness environment where members feel valued, supported, and inspired[EC1] .
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Willing to take constructive feedback and have a continuous growth mindset!
Preferred Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, Health Promotion, Exercise Science, or related discipline.
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Certified personal trainer, group exercise instructor, nutrition coach and/or lifestyle coach.
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Familiarized with GroupEx PRO application and communication platform.
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Experience managing teams of 40+.
Physical Requirements:
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Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the fitness center and group exercise areas for extended periods.
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Ability to occasionally demonstrate or participate in a variety of group exercise movements and activities.
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Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull fitness equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.
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Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, reach, and climb stairs as needed to perform job duties.
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Ability to move safely and efficiently through active fitness and group exercise environments.
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Ability to observe and assess group exercise classes, including monitoring instructor performance, member participation, and facility conditions.
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Ability to respond quickly to member, instructor, or facility needs, including emergency situations.
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Ability to work in an environment with varying noise levels, including music and active group exercise classes.
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Ability to use a computer and other office equipment for administrative responsibilities, including scheduling, communication, reporting, and payroll-related tasks.
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Must have the physical ability and stamina to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Availability: Must have a flexible schedule with the ability to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed. Must be available to support peak Group Exercise programming, staff meetings, special events, instructor coverage, and operational needs outside of regularly scheduled hours when necessary. Reliable attendance, punctuality, and flexibility are essential.
Please note that successful candidates for this position may be subject to a background check as part of the hiring process. will be used to assess eligibility for employment. Any discrepancies may result in the withdrawal of the job offer or termination of employment. All information will be handled confidentially and in accordance with applicable laws.
