Senior Director, Fitness & Wellness
Tucson Jewish Community Center
3800 E River Rd
Tucson, AZ 85718
Supervises: Fitness Manager; Sports and Recreation Manager;
Indirect Reports: Group Exercise Coordinator; 8-12 Personal Trainers, 15-20 Sports & Recreation Staff
Key Partnerships: General Manager; Senior Director of Marketing, Communications & PR
The Tucson Jewish Community Center (the Tucson J) seeks an innovative, strategic, and mission-driven leader to serve as Senior Director of Fitness & Wellness. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, this leadership role drives the strategic vision, operational excellence, financial performance, and growth of the Tucson J's Fitness, Wellness, Sports, and Recreation departments.
As a vital member of the Senior Leadership Team (Yoatzim), the Senior Director helps shape organization-wide strategy and serves as a key thought partner to the CEO. This leader will inspire a culture centered on exceptional customer service, innovation, accountability, and community, ensuring that every member experiences the Tucson J as a welcoming environment that promotes healthy living and lifelong wellness rooted in Jewish values.
Strategic Leadership
- Serve as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team (Yoatzim), collaborating across departments to develop and execute the organization's overarching strategic plan.
-
Model the Tucson J's core values and customer service philosophy, fostering an internal culture of excellence, innovation, and accountability.
-
Identify emerging industry trends to position the Tucson J as Southern Arizona's premier community wellness destination.
-
Increase fitness membership, program participation, and earned revenue while advancing the Tucson J's mission
Financial Management & Growth
- Hold full P&L accountability for the Fitness, Wellness, Sports, and Recreation departments, overseeing a budget exceeding $1M.
-
Develop annual revenue plans and achieve agreed upon targets through personal training, programming, partnerships and member engagement initiatives
-
Manage operational expenses and improve program profitability while aligning financial targets with membership retention strategies.
-
Establish measurable annual goals and regularly report progress to executive leadership.
Member Experience & Partnership
- Partner closely with the General Manager to build a seamless end-to-end member journey, from initial onboarding through long-term retention.
-
Collaborate on customer service standards, cross-selling programs, facility experience, member feedback systems, and integrated communications.
-
Co-lead initiatives that ensure the fitness and recreation spaces serve as central hubs for deep community connection.
Program Innovation & Development
- Lead the design, implementation, and expansion of inclusive programming tailored to children, teens, adults, older adults, families, and adaptive recreation participants.
-
Develop specialized wellness education and healthy aging programs that support the Tucson J's mission while contributing to long-term organizational sustainability.
Team Leadership & Talent Management
- Recruit, hire, mentor, and retain a high-performing team of managers, coordinators, and fitness professionals.
-
Oversee performance management, staff engagement, professional development, succession planning, scheduling, and certification compliance.
-
Cultivate a supportive, energetic workplace culture where staff thrive and members feel genuinely cared for.
-
Develop managers through coaching, delegation, succession planning and ongoing leadership development
Operations & Risk Management
- Oversee day-to-day operations of the Fitness Center, Group Exercise studios, sports fields, and recreation spaces.
-
Ensure the highest standards of safety, cleanliness, equipment maintenance, risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, and overall facility readiness.
-
Ensure preventative maintenance programs are implemented for all fitness equipment
Community Partnerships & Data-Driven Improvement
- Establish strategic alliances with healthcare organizations, universities, professional sports organizations, schools, Jewish organizations, and corporate wellness partners to expand Tucson J's regional footprint.
-
Define, track, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) regarding member satisfaction, retention, revenue, and participation to drive continuous operational improvement.
Required:
- Bachelor in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Business Administration, Sports Management, Recreation, Health Promotion, or a related field.
-
5+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in the fitness, wellness, or recreation industry.
-
3+ years supervisory experience; previous supervision of management-level and professional staff highly preferred.
-
Proven success managing annual operating budgets exceeding $1 million, with a track record of driving revenue and managing expenses.
-
Current CPR/AED certification required; a nationally recognized fitness certification (e.g., NASM, ACE, ACSM) or equivalent leadership experience in a commercial or community health club setting.
Preferred:
- Master's degree in a relevant field.
-
Prior leadership experience within a JCC, YMCA, university recreation center, or similar nonprofit community hub.
-
Technical proficiency with Daxko or equivalent member management software.
-
Proven experience leading multi-department teams and cross-functional initiatives.
-
A strong understanding of, or familiarity with, Jewish culture, values, and community dynamics.
$75,000 - $85,000
The Tucson Jewish Community Center is a 110,000-square-feet facility built in 1989. With more than 2,000 families and 5,000 members, the J is open to the Tucson community of all faiths.
We offer a robust schedule of events ranging from Arts & Culture to Sports & Wellness to Children & Family. At the J we offer something for everyone from 0 to 99!
Our beautiful Foothills location offers the perfect setting for your meeting, wedding, or other special event. Our trained professional will help you with all your rental needs, including catering.
If fitness is your main goal, we offer a full fitness facility and more than 100 free weekly classes included in your membership.
We are proud to offer a privately funded preschool serving 300 children during the school year from six weeks to pre-K. Additionally, we offer after-school care for elementary-aged children and provide transportation from over 20 schools daily during the school year.
Most importantly, we offer a sense of community and acceptance to the entire Tucson community. We invite you to step inside and feel the energy of the J!
