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 and well-being with a team of 40+ full-time staff members and 650+ student employees. Established in 1913, it is recognized as one of the first collegiate recreation programs. It was the first to develop a facility specifically for student recreation, the Intramural Sports Building, which opened in 1928. Michigan Recreation operates within the Division of Student Life, reporting to the Associate Vice President of Student Life for Health and Wellness.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director will lead the management and expansion of our fitness and wellness programs, including group fitness, wellness workshops, fitness challenges, and other initiatives that align with campus and departmental wellness strategies and policies. This role provides strategic leadership and vision for these programs and their staff. Key responsibilities include creating budgets, policies, and procedures, supervising the Program Manager for Group-X, and overseeing daily operations. Additionally, the Assistant Director will be instrumental in developing training curricula and certification modules for Group-X Instructors. The role also involves maintaining multiple fitness certifications and occasionally serving as a backup group exercise instructor. Moreover, the Assistant Director will represent the department on various assigned committees.

Program Oversight (50%): 

• Group-X Program 
  • Provide strategic leadership for Michigan Recreation, overseeing the development and execution of exceptional group fitness programming that anticipates and exceeds the diverse needs of the campus community. Cultivate an inclusive and welcoming environment across three state-of-the-art recreation facilities, ensuring service, engagement, and operational effectiveness. Drive continuous improvement through staff development, resource management, and alignment with departmental priorities.
  • Ensure Michigan Recreation provides high-quality group fitness classes that meet the diverse needs on campus and provide an inclusive environment within three comprehensive recreation facilities.
    • Evaluate the Group X program to ensure our offerings are relevant to the trends. Research and meet the needs of the students.
    • Lead curriculum development and updates for instructor mentorship programs for applications of need.
    • Recruit and evaluate temporary staff associated with the fitness and wellness programs. 
• Stay updated on anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics through continuing education to ensure best practices in fitness instruction.
• Cultivate positive and productive relationships in a collaborative team setting.
• Develop and revise administrative policies and procedures within the areas of responsibility (e.g. group exercise instructor & well-being 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.
• Develop innovative programs that align with the mission and financial goals of the department, while continually assessing and mitigating risks associated with these programs.
• 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.

Wellness Education (15%)

• Design and implement a comprehensive curriculum for wellness education programs. 
  • Assist with the development of new initiatives and special events to meet the various well-being needs on campus.
  • Collaborate with campus partners to implement a holistic approach to well-being and wellness programs. 
  • Create and manage sustainable wellness programs. 

Staff Oversight (15%):

• Manage payroll of all staff within the scope of supervision.
• Provide supervision, direction, coaching, and mentoring of direct reports; 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 (10%): 

• Prepare, oversee, forecast, and manage the operating budgets of areas of oversight; approve expenditures of direct reports; ensure compliance of operations with Department, Division, and University policies.
• Work collaboratively with Departmental financial staff and the Student Life Business Office.  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 and wellness staff.

Financial/Budgetary Responsibility:

This position has oversight of the development and administration of the annual budgets in the Group-X Program and Wellness programming. The total annual budget responsibility of this position is estimated to be $175,000.
This position has oversight of the development and administration of the annual budgets in the Group-X Program and Wellness programming. The total annual budget responsibility of this position is estimated to be $175,000.
 

• Bachelor's degree in Health, Wellness, Recreation, or a related field. 
• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience operating fitness or wellness programs.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience as a group exercise instructor or personal trainer. 
• Minimum 3 years of experience supervising professional, temporary, or voluntary staff.  
• Current group exercise instruction certifications (ACE, ACSM, or similar). 
• Current certifications in CPR, First Aid, and AED or the ability to obtain within six months of hire.

Benefits at the University of Michigan

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses 

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.

Financial/Budgetary Responsibility:
 

This position has oversight of the development and administration of the annual budgets in the Group-X Program and Wellness programming. The total annual budget responsibility of this position is estimated to be $175,000.

Working Conditions:
 

Provide practical instruction by teaching for 1-3 hours per week, and serve as a backup group exercise instructor, as needed.

On occasion could be expected to work evening hours or weekends to support Michigan Recreation events.

Direct Reports:

This role supervises the Program Manager - Group-X.

Additional Role Information

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.

Selected candidates whose start date is 4/1/2026 or after, will not be eligible for the university FY26-27 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified.

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

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The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.