DIRECTOR OF RECREATION & WELLN

Job Description: Director of Recreation and Wellness

The Director of Recreation and Wellness at Spring Island will be an experienced, dynamic, and member-focused leader. This high-impact leadership position is responsible for collectively the most utilized and relied upon community amenities. The Director oversees all recreational, fitness and wellness programming, facilities, and operations, with a primary emphasis on comprehensive Fitness and Wellness Services (group exercise, personal training, physical therapy, aquatics, massage therapy, esthetics, and barber services). This position also oversees Racquet and Lawn Sports (tennis, pickleball, and croquet) and Outdoor Pursuits (fishing, boating, kayaking, sporting clays, and hunt club). The Director will craft a vibrant, safe, and inclusive member experience while maintaining impeccably high standards of service, safety, and fiscal responsibility.

Position Overview
Title: Director of Recreation and Wellness
Location: Spring Island, Okatie, SC
Reports To: General Manager / Chief Operating Officer
Key Objective: Deliver exceptional, engaging, and safe recreational opportunities and evidence-based wellness experiences that enhance lifestyle, promote well-being, and provide measurable value to members through improved health outcomes, social connection, and long-term community engagement.

Program Strategy and Oversight

• Develop and implement a comprehensive and evidence-based annual strategy for recreation, fitness, and wellness aligned with community goals and member interests.
• Design seasonal schedules for Fitness and Wellness programs and services, balancing private sessions, group classes, and club sponsored events and educational opportunities.
• Foster innovative programs (wellness workshops, group fitness, spa-related services, and family activities).
• Collaborate with other departments in organizational programming to provide joint experiences (golf, food and beverage, etc.)
• Oversee and support the design of events and programs for Racquet Sports, Croquet, Sporting Clays, and Boating and Fishing.
• Coordinate partnership with physical therapy service provider (Carolina Sportscare).
• Attend scheduled committee meetings associated with Recreation and Wellness.
• Attend weekly leadership meetings with the GM and executive management team.

Facilities and Operations

• Oversee routine maintenance, scheduling, and safety of all facilities: racquet sport courts (tennis, pickleball, croquet lawns), outdoor activity spaces (fishing docks/ponds, boat slips, kayak launches, shooting range for sporting clays), and fitness/wellness spaces (group exercise studios, aquatics center, treatment rooms, spa and esthetics rooms, barber shop). Communicate and manage maintenance requests with Facilities Maintenance team.
• Monitor equipment inventory, procurement, maintenance contracts, and lifecycle planning for fitness equipment and safety devices. Schedule routine maintenance for fitness equipment.
• Ensure facilities meet applicable safety, accessibility, and environmental guidelines; implement risk management and incident reporting protocols.
• Maintain compliance with SCLLR for massage therapy operations.

Staffing and Training

• Recruit, train, and lead a high-performing team across multiple disciplines: concierge, exercise physiologists, group exercise professionals, massage therapists, estheticians, barber staff, croquet instructors, and seasonal personnel.
• Establish service standards, performance metrics, and ongoing professional development programs.
• Procure special event presenters, speakers, and educators to supplement regularly scheduled programs and services.
• Recruit, train, and lead the Director of Racquet Sports and the Director of Outdoor Pursuits and support programs and services under their direction.

Member Experience and Community Engagement

• Act as primary liaison for members regarding recreation, fitness, and wellness interests, feedback, and complaint resolution.
• Plan and execute signature events (tournaments, charity drives, club social gatherings, themed weekends) that foster community spirit.
• Cultivate partnerships with external coaches, vendors, medical or wellness professionals, and local organizations to expand programming and resources

Budgeting and Financial Management

• Develop and manage annual budgets for recreation, fitness, and wellness; monitor revenue streams (pro shop, lessons, personal training, physical therapy, aquatics programs, spa/esthetics, barber services, guest activities) and costs;
• Participate in budget planning and oversight of Racquet Sports and Outdoor Pursuits
• Implement pricing strategies for lessons, facility usage, equipment rentals, and special events; track profitability and ROI.

Safety, Risk, and Compliance

• Establish and enforce safety protocols for all activities; lead risk assessments and incident investigations.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations related to outdoor recreation, water activities, hunting, sporting clays, youth programs, and licensed wellness/spa services.
• Maintain up-to-date staff certifications (CPR/First Aid/AED, SafeSport where applicable, firearm safety and range safety if hunting/clays activities are offered, licensure for physical therapy or massage therapy as required).
  

Collaboration and Cross-Functional Partnerships

• Work with Food and Beverage, Membership, and Communications to align programming with branding and community events.
• Collaborate with Golf Instruction team to provide joint TPI related clinics and instruction. Promote and utilize Golf Performance Center training studio for performance training and special events.
• Collaborate with Fitness and Wellness teams to integrate holistic wellness initiatives (mindfulness, nutrition education, group fitness classes, physical therapy, massage, esthetics, and barber services) where appropriate.
• Coordinate with medical and allied health professionals for member wellness planning when appropriate and compliant.
• Collaborate with outside providers and educational institutions for member wellness planning.
• Oversee and support collaborative experiences in Racquet Sports and Outdoor Pursuits.
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, Sports Administration, Health Sciences, Physical Therapy (PT licensing where applicable), or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in private club, hospitality, or residential community settings with a focus on sports, fitness, outdoor programming, and wellness services preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing fitness/wellness services (group classes, personal training, aquatic programs, therapeutic services); additionally, knowledge of Racquet and Lawn Sports operations (tennis, pickleball, croquet) and Outdoor Pursuits (fishing, boating/kayaking, shooting disciplines such as sporting clays, hunt club activities) is preferred.
• Proven ability to design engaging programs, manage facilities, and lead large multi-faceted operations.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and revenue generation across diverse service lines.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills; ability to interact effectively with a diverse member base and fellow team members.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office programs. Knowledge of club management software, specifically Club Essentials, is desired.
• Knowledge of safety standards, risk management, and compliance relevant to outdoor recreation, wellness services, and club environments.
• Certifications as applicable (CPR/First Aid/AED, coaching certifications, fitness/wellness certifications, physical therapy licensure, massage therapy license, esthetics and barbering licenses as required).
  
  Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and program development
• Operational excellence and facilities management
• Financial stewardship and cost control
• Customer service excellence and member-centric mindset
• Leadership, coaching, and team development
• Risk management and safety leadership
• Collaboration and partnerships
• Exceptional performance in group or individual instruction or services

Performance Metrics

• Member satisfaction and engagement scores related to the Sports Complex, Tennis, Pickleball, Shooting Sports, and Fishing and Boating
• Participation rates across racquet sports, outdoor pursuits, fitness classes, and signature events
• Facility utilization and maintenance uptime
• Revenue and cost control performance for programming, fitness, and spa/wellness services
• Safety incident rate and adherence to risk management protocols
• Staff retention and training completion rates
  
  Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and 401K.

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