Description

Position Overview

KU RECREATION SERVICES, a department within Student Affairs, provides a campus-wide impact by improving the quality of life for all students, faculty, staff, affiliates, retirees, alumni, spouses, and domestic partners through our fitness and wellness initiatives. RECREATION SERVICES provides state-of the-art recreational programs, facilities, and services.

The University of Kansas RECREATION SERVICES department seeks an Education Program Coordinator (with a working title of Assistant Director of Fitness & Wellness) to play an essential role in the management and support of RECREATION SERVICES core functions including, but not limited to, coordinating the KU Fit group fitness program, developing the KU Fit Instructors, and creating and implementing fitness and wellness special events. The work of the Education Program Coordinator will directly support RECREATION SERVICES programmatic efforts and initiatives to support its core values of Community, Excellence, Experience, Growth, and Integrity which align directly with two of KU's Institutional Priorities of Healthy and Vibrant Communities and Student Success.

The Education Program Coordinator is a full-time unclassified, non-exempt position that will report to the Senior Assistant Director of Programs.

The Education Program Coordinator will be responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and developing KU Fit Instructors and a Program Manager. This role also includes creating KU Fit Group Fitness schedules and developing, implementing, and evaluating special events related to fitness. Additionally, the Education Program Coordinator will evaluate risk management and enforce policies and procedures. They will also assist the Assistant Director of Marketing in promoting programs and events across all areas of responsibility.

Programs within RECREATION SERVICES include Fitness, Intramurals, Sport Clubs, and Outdoor Pursuits. Fitness offers KU Fit group fitness with classes focused on cardio, strength, mind and body, Personal Training, and fitness assessments. Intramurals play team sports, team tournaments, and individual activities. Sport Clubs participate in a wide variety of competitive, recreational, and instructional sports. Outdoor Pursuits offers a rock-climbing wall and equipment rental center. Additional information can be found at www.recreation.ku.edu

Job Description

65% - Coordinate the KU Fit Program including:

• Plan and implement semester schedules with approximately 45 classes per week including a variety of classes such as Pilates, yoga, strength, cycle, dance fitness, fitness boxing, etc.
• Recruit, hire, train, document, supervise, and evaluate approximately 15-20 KU Fit instructors as well as approve payroll.
• Update the employee manual as needed. Add and update sections to the employee manual with specific training information for each type of KU Fit class (how to use certain equipment properly, class/participant expectations, reimbursement procedures for their certification, tips, and provide examples of a quality routines).
• Oversee daily operations of the KU Fit program, including registration, optional fees, attendance records and equipment/facility upkeep, program assessment, and policies and procedures that ensure safe instruction and risk management.
• Provide continuing education for staff to enhance skills and obtain/maintain appropriate certifications through one-on-one skill building and/or workshops. • Supervise a KU Fit student Program Manager. • Manage Les Mills license and instructor training.
• Manage KU Fit instructor reimbursement program for retention and recruiting.
• Recruit, plan, and implement the ACE Group Fitness Instructor (GFI) Prep Course, an in-house course that prepares KU students to become a certified GFI. • Prepare monthly, semester, and yearly reports on classes and make recommendations, as needed.
• Oversee and implement protocol for the KU Fit and specialty programs such as FIT45 (bootcamp) including administration in Fusion (access, point of sale and programming software). • Develop in-house trainings to include choreographed and non-choreographed KU Fit classes.
• Create new choreography regularly for KU Fit classes. Train KU Fit Instructors as needed.
• Purchase, evaluate (both functionality and condition), and inventory equipment for KU Fit classes and CRT floor, which includes stability balls, Bosu balls, dumbbells, individual mats, resistance bands, etc.
• Ensure that all employees have achieved and/or maintain appropriate levels of training and certification including CPR/AED, concussion, and conceal carry. • Plan and host fitness certifications and workshops (CEU opportunities).
• Research industry trends and assess new and current programming to compile a wide array of offerings to best meet patron needs.
• Collaborate with departments on campus to host fitness/wellness events in partnership with Recreation Services such as Dance Therapy or Trauma Yoga with Care Services through CAPS.

15% - Develop and manage incentive programs and special events within fitness/wellness.

• Coordinate, promote, and evaluate "Rec Connect" each semester, providing expectations to professional staff.
• Coordinate Jayhawk Fitness Challenge and the Movin' with the Rec 5K fun run, walk, and roll annually.
• Create and implement special events for KU Fit classes each semester such as incentive challenges and themed classes.
• Design medium and large-scale programs or events such as virtual triathlons, challenges, etc. that provide participants the opportunity to expand their knowledge, comfort level and ability in fitness/wellness related endeavors.
• Coordinate with student organizations and other KU community requests for private KU Fit classes at ASRFC and on-campus.
• Collaborate and assist marketing in providing fitness/wellness-related educational content such as tips and resources through, for instance, social media, blogs, and outreach.

10% - Develop educational workshops/curriculum to enhance knowledge and skills within fitness/wellness.

• Create curriculum to conduct in-house trainings for fitness staff and participants, so they know how to use fitness equipment such as TRX bands, Bosu balls, Viper logs, etc.
• Create fitness/wellness workshops for participants such as nutrition, corrective exercises, or programs for beginners.
• Lead trainings and workshops as needed.

5% - Assist with the development and management of the fitness budget.

5% - Other including, but not limited to:

• Serve on Recreation Services committees as needed .
• Assist the Senior Assistant Director of Programs, as needed with personal training, ACE Personal Training Prep Course, fitness assessments (FIT4U).
• Develop a collaborative relationship with other departments across campus and participate on University committees to meet the goals of the Chancellor's Strategic Initiatives as assigned.
• Instruct CPR/AED trainings on a rotational basis.
• Assist with other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

1. Master's degree or bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with 3 years of professional work experience in fitness management; 2 years as a graduate assistant equals 1 year work experience (must have graduated with a bachelor's degree by employment start date).
2. Experience as a group exercise instructor, as evidenced in application materials.
3. Current NCCA accredited certification in group fitness such as ACE or must be completed within 6 months of date hired.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations

Additional Candidate Instruction

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume
• List of three (3) professional references

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins 9/26/2025 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, [email protected], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or using the Title IX online report form and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online complaint form.