KidStrong General Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Reports To: Regional General Manager (where assigned); otherwise Area Developer
Compensation: Salary, exempt
Travel: Local travel required; quarterly support of other centers in the portfolio
Updated: October 2026

Position Overview

KidStrong General Managers are the leaders of the center — "the buck stops here." The GM owns the three outcomes that make a KidStrong center work: families who stay, coaches who get better every week, and a center that runs clean, on-brand, and profitably. The GM fosters a culture of learning and development for both the coaching team and the families who attend the center.

The GM is a high-energy, hyper-organized, passionate, and engaging leader who is focused on defining goals and delivering an exceptional experience for kids, families, and team members. This role has an eye for the details and is relentless when it comes to getting things done.

This is not the typical 9a–5p job. Successful GMs are in the center and available to families when families are available — mornings, evenings, and weekends. The GM spends the majority of the week in the center and the balance in the community building brand awareness and partnering with the RGM/Area Developer on strategies to maximize center performance.

ResponsibilitiesLeadership

• Recruit, screen, interview, hire, and onboard coaches and the Assistant General Manager through the applicant tracking system; monitor staffing levels and continually recruit future talent.
• Make hiring decisions; manage employee relations and documentation per the handbook; partner with the Area Developer on terminations.
• Build, own, and publish the coach schedule in Homebase; manage payroll hours to budget.
• Continuously assess and document coach performance; ensure 30/60/90 evaluations are current and develop coaches through weekly formal feedback sessions.
• Lead and schedule training practicals for new coaching candidates and guide them through certification.
• Attend the monthly HQ programming rollout; lead team meetings and center-level initiatives (center maintenance, training, brand consistency).
• Achieve GM Certification and maintain Coach Certification through the HQ Training and Certification team.

Families and Growth

• Own the observation → trial → enrollment process in partnership with the Area Developer; coach the team to confident, program-first conversations with families.
• Build and maintain relationships with KidStrong families in line with our core value: families do not leave KidStrong.
• Lower member attrition through proactive outreach and customer service to meet or exceed company standards.
• Act as the escalation point for family concerns; resolve in the moment, document, and close the loop.
• Find, schedule, and execute community events; own the center's local brand presence.
• Learn and manage the center's KidStrong Camp (held when local schools are not in session), Parents' Night Out, and birthday party programs.

Center Operations and Financials

• Oversee daily administrative tasks: membership management in GloFox, customer service inquiries, daily KPI reporting, and membership and retail billing.
• Ensure GloFox and Homebase are accurately maintained to provide a great family experience.
• Manage center expenses and overall profitability; understand the center's financials and P&L in order to make informed, responsible business decisions.
• Manage center-level inventory and supplies.
• Daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning and maintenance of the center; lead facility maintenance projects through completion; quarterly support with upkeep of other centers in the portfolio.
• Ensure every coach reads and reacts to the daily Shift Operations Report (SOR); review After-Action Reports (AARs).
• Weekly meeting with leadership to assess and drive overall portfolio performance.

Coaching

• Coach approximately 5–10 hours per week, delivering the evolving Brain, Physical, and Character development curriculum for ages 15 months–11 years; stay sharp as both Point and Rover Coach.
• Understand the "why" behind the KidStrong curriculum and communicate it clearly and concisely to families and coaches.
• Create positive interactions with students and families before, during, and after class; maintain a dynamic, fun, motivational, and professional demeanor.
• Ensure classes start and end on schedule and follow the appropriate pace of the curriculum.
• Use the KS Coach App to record attendance, awards, and progress.
• Communicate professionally with the team in Slack, including periodic checks of messages when not in the center.
• Complete training through KidStrong University as required by the HQ Training and Certification team.
• Work in a physically intensive environment: coaches may cover multiple miles in a shift, lift and repeatedly move equipment up to 25 pounds, and physically work with kids to ensure proper technique and safety.

Skills and Qualifications

• Passion for working with children is non-negotiable.
• Comfortable speaking to parents/guardians on a variety of topics; able to lead difficult conversations.
• Previous management experience preferred (youth programs, fitness, retail, hospitality, or franchise); prior experience as a pediatric OT/PT is a plus.
• Working P&L literacy.
• Practical work experience with Google Workspace; experience with GloFox, Homebase, Slack, Monday.com, or a learning-management system preferred.
• CPR certified (or within 30 days of hire).
• Must pass a background check.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position supervises the Assistant General Manager, the Coach Lead, and all Coaches at the center. The GM is a leader and mentor, so communication and interpersonal skills are essential.

Sphere of Interaction

The GM works closely with center team members and families and interacts regularly with the regional and portfolio leadership team.

DNA / Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Natural Leader

• Creates culture
• Establishes and holds high standards
• Takes initiative
• Sets tone through actions

Passionate

• Stays focused on the KidStrong goals
• Goal oriented and high performing
• Engaging, fun, likable

Community Builder

• Communicates and ensures transfer of knowledge
• Develops and nurtures relationships
• Focuses on developing self and others
• Puts success of the team above own interests; builds morale and group commitment to goals and objectives

Flexible and Emotionally Balanced

• Gives and welcomes feedback
• Reacts well under pressure
• Treats others with respect and consideration
• Accepts responsibility for own actions
• Upholds KidStrong values; creates vision for others

Planning / Organizing / Adaptability

• Prioritizes and plans work activities; develops realistic action plans
• Organizes and schedules other people and their tasks
• Comfortable calling an audible — continuing or adjusting the play after the audible is called
• Embraces innovation and a quickly changing landscape. Best idea wins!

Communication

• Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations
• Responds well to questions; listens and gets clarification
• Demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings
• Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar