Director of Wellness Programs & Development

Position Overview

Hilton Head Health is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and mission-driven Wellness Program Director to lead the vision, delivery, and evolution of our comprehensive wellness programming.

This role combines strategic leadership with subject-matter expertise and a strong guest-facing presence. The Wellness Program Director is responsible for ensuring that all programming reflects current evidence-based practices in health promotion, behavior change, fitness, and lifestyle medicine while maintaining the warmth, empathy, and personalization that define the Hilton Head Health experience.

The ideal candidate is an expert educator, collaborative leader, and culture-builder who can translate science into practical lifestyle change while inspiring both guests and team members. This individual must be equally comfortable presenting lectures, mentoring staff, analyzing program outcomes, and guiding organizational strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Provide strategic oversight and continuous development of all wellness programming, including the H3 Experience, The Blue Zones Experience at H3, The GLP-1 Support Experience, future programs and related offerings.
• Design and evolve integrated programming that aligns all pillars of Hilton Head Health including lifestyle education, fitness, nutrition, behavioral health,
• Ensure programs reflect current research and best practices in health promotion, weight management, and behavior change science.
• Evaluate program effectiveness using data, guest feedback, and outcome metrics to drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to shape the long-term vision of Hilton Head Health programming.

Lifestyle Education & Guest Experience

• Serve as the primary educational voice of Hilton Head Health through engaging lectures, workshops, and guest interactions.
• Translate complex health science into accessible, actionable guidance.
• Deliver presentations on topics including: 
  • Weight management
  • Behavior change psychology
  • Nutrition and metabolic health
  • Chronic disease prevention
  • Exercise and mobility
  • Sustainable lifestyle habits
• Maintain a strong guest-facing presence through teaching classes, consultations, and program engagement.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of health coaches and wellness specialists.
• Foster a collaborative, positive, and accountable team culture.
• Provide staff education and professional development grounded in evidence-based coaching and motivational interviewing.
• Establish standards for instructional excellence and guest engagement.
• Support hiring, onboarding, training, and performance development of program staff.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee program scheduling, staffing alignment, and service delivery standards.
• Ensure safety, quality, and consistency across all wellness offerings.
• Maintain compliance with organizational policies and industry best practices.
• Coordinate cross-department collaboration to optimize the guest journey.

Thought Leadership & Innovation

• Stay current with emerging research and trends in wellness, lifestyle medicine, and behavior change.
• Introduce innovative programming that enhances guest outcomes and maintains Hilton Head Health’s leadership position in the wellness industry.
• Represent Hilton Head Health as a credible authority in health and wellness education.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate is:

• A science-based wellness professional who values evidence over trends
• A strong and empathetic leader capable of inspiring high-performing teams
• A confident educator and communicator with exceptional presentation skills
• Guest-centered, emotionally intelligent, and highly collaborative
• Organized, decisive, and adaptable in a dynamic hospitality environment
• Passionate about helping individuals create sustainable lifestyle change

Qualifications & Credentials

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Health Education, Behavioral Science,Health Promotion, Nutrition, or other related field
• Minimum 5 years of leadership or program management experience in wellness, health promotion, medical fitness, or retreat/residential wellness settings
• Demonstrated expertise in: 
  • Behavior change coaching
  • Weight management programming
  • Health education and public speaking
• Experience leading multidisciplinary wellness teams
• Strong background in evidence-based health and wellness practices

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Health Education, Exercise Physiology, Public Health, Nutrition, Psychology, or related discipline
• Advanced or nationally recognized certifications such as: 
  • ACSM (CEP, EP, or CPT)
  • NBC-HWC (National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach)
  • Precision Nutrition
  • NSCA (CSCS or CPT)
  • Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN)
  • Lifestyle Medicine or Health Coaching certifications
• Training in motivational interviewing or behavior change methodologies
• Experience in hospitality wellness, destination wellness, or residential lifestyle programs

Core Competencies

• Leadership & Team Development
• Evidence-Based Program Design
• Public Speaking & Education
• Behavioral Coaching & Motivational Interviewing
• Strategic Thinking & Innovation
• Guest Experience Excellence
• Data-Informed Decision Making
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration