Fitness Programs Assistant Director
Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
## Position Title:Fitness Programs Assistant Director## Job Group:Professional & Scientific## Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience## Job Description:**Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:**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:**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 VitaeLetter of Application/Cover LetterIowa 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 programIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.## Appointment Type:Regular## Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period## Time Type:Full time## Pay Grade:PS809## Original Posting Date:April 24, 2026## Posting Close Date:May 10, 2026## Job Requisition Number:R19034Iowa 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
website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible,
attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.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.If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.General ISU compensation information can be found on the
website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
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• 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:**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 VitaeLetter of Application/Cover LetterIowa 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 programIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.## Appointment Type:Regular## Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period## Time Type:Full time## Pay Grade:PS809## Original Posting Date:April 24, 2026## Posting Close Date:May 10, 2026## Job Requisition Number:R19034Iowa 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
website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible,
attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.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.If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.General ISU compensation information can be found on the
website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
#J-18808-Ljbffr