Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
Are you excited to lead and shape the future of campus fitness programming by overseeing group fitness, personal training, and innovative wellness initiatives? Are you looking to mentor and supervise professional staff and student employees while fostering a culture of growth and innovation?
If so, Recreation Services at Iowa State University is currently seeking applicants for a Fitness Programs Assistant Director! This position will be classified as a Recreation Services Specialist III.
What You'll Do:
Lead and oversee group fitness, personal training, and fitness programs, ensuring high-quality daily operations and participant experiences
Coordinate strategic planning for fitness programming aligned with university priorities, wellness outcomes, and industry trends
Manage schedules, staffing, registration, billing, and participant intake processes
Supervise, train, evaluate, and support professional staff and student employees
Oversee and monitor program budgets, forecasts, and revenue-generating initiatives
Coordinate equipment, facilities, and spaces including inventory, purchasing, maintenance, and replacement planning
Lead assessment, reporting, and data-driven program improvement efforts
Ensure compliance with safety, risk management, and certification standards in collaboration with university partners
Coordinate staff training and maintain current fitness and safety certifications
Build partnerships and promote fitness programs across campus and with community stakeholders
Represent Recreation Services on committees and during campus initiatives
Level Guidelines
• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals
• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude
• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action
• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices
• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff
• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)
• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist
• Provides guidance to students
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Higher Education, Sport Management, or a related field
Progressive experience overseeing comprehensive fitness programs in a collegiate or comparable setting
Demonstrated success supervising professional staff and student employees
Experience with budget development, forecasting, and revenue generation
Nationally recognized fitness certifications accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) (e.g., ACE, ACSM, NASM)
Demonstrated knowledge of fitness-related risk management, training protocols, and industry standards
Department/Program & College Description:
Recreation Services at Iowa State University offers the freedom of individuality through a wide range of programs, activities, and facilities. Recreation Services strives to make everyone feel right at home, whether a first-timer or a regular user.
Department Unit/Website:
Iowa State University Recreation Services
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Letter of Application/Cover Letter
Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:
Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.