Assistant Director of Fitness - (REC00000012)

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

The Department of Campus Recreation strives to engage the SMU community in physical wellbeing activities by providing facilities, programs, and services that promote healthy, active lifestyles. Campus Recreation is home to three facilities: Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports, Intramural Field, and Crum Lacrosse and Sports Field and four program areas: Aquatics, Fitness, Outdoor Adventures and Sport Programs.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Assistant Director of Fitness provides oversight of the Campus Recreation Group Fitness and Personal Training programs, as well as the fitness equipment within the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports. This position contributes to the accomplishment of Campus Recreation and Student Affairs goals and objectives through student development, assessment, and fitness programs and equipment oversight for the wellbeing of students.

Essential Functions:

• Group Fitness Program Management: Develop, organize, implement, and assess a group fitness program that meets the needs of the SMU community. Recruit, hire, train, develop, supervise, assess, and mentor group fitness instructors. Manage the risk of the program and coordinate appropriate risk management plans.
  

• Personal and Small Group Training Program Management: Develop, organize, implement, and assess a personal training program that meets the needs of the SMU community. Recruit, hire, train, develop, supervise, assess, and mentor personal trainers. Manage the risk of the program and coordinate appropriate risk management plans. Manage the personal training budget and revenue generation.

• Fiscal Responsibilities: Manage the fitness and personal/small group training budgets with a focus on revenue generation in personal/small group training. Lead the procurement process for fitness equipment replacement in the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports.

• Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports Fitness Equipment Management: Maintain fitness equipment inventory, lead equipment replacement, and coordinate with the Associate Director of Operations for the ongoing maintenance of the fitness equipment in the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports. Assist with the usage and care policies related to the fitness equipment.

• Campus Recreation Contributions: Contribute to various department initiatives including but not limited to short/long-term strategic planning, risk management, marketing, student development, assessment and camps.
  Represent the department and program to the University through committee membership and participation. Serve as a program liaison to patrons and students such as serving as advisor to related organizations and clubs.
  

• Marketing: Market group fitness, personal and small group personal training, and Campus Recreation to the SMU Community. Represent Campus Recreation and fitness programming at appropriate campus events.

• Occasional evening/weekend hours will be required. 

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A bachelor’s degree is required. A Master's degree is preferred. A degree in Recreation, Kinesiology or a related field is preferred. 

A minimum of three years of experience is required.

Experience in programming group exercise and personal training programs, staff management, and supervision of weight room areas is preferred. Experience coordinating a fitness program and working in university or college recreation and American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED certification is a plus.   

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.  

Candidate ability to lead various fitness related classes and personal training is essential.

Candidate knowledge of industry best practices, risk management and emerging trends is a plus. 

Candidate proficiency in Microsoft Office is required. 

Candidate certification from ACSM, NSCA, ACE or NASM is preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Bend, crawl, squat, stand, climb, kneel
• Reach above shoulders
• Handle objects (dexterity)
• Carry/lift over 50 lbs
• Walk for long distances
• Push/pull

Deadline to Apply:

Submissions received by October 20, 2023 may receive priority consideration.

Application deadline: October 27, 2023

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.