Program Manager

Program ManagerJoin us as we empower the world to work out, creating healthier lives together. The Program Manager is responsible for the cost, schedule, and performance of major cardiovascular and strength product development programs at Life Fitness / Hammer Strength. This role coordinates continuous improvement, product development, and systems engineering programs for consumer and commercial cardiovascular and strength equipment. The Program Manager leads programs through all phases of development, including proposal development, trade studies, preliminary design, fabrication, testing, performance evaluation, documentation, cost reduction, product improvement, and lifecycle maintenance. The role requires effective collaboration with Life Fitness / Hammer Strength product management, senior leadership, subcontractors, development partners, and customers. The successful candidate should have experience leading electrical, mechanical, and software development programs, including management of internal and external cross-functional teams. Experience working with overseas and domestic development partners is also expected.What You'll DoOrganize, manage, and deliver major consumer or commercial cardiovascular and strength programs using the Product Development Process (PDP).Coordinate proposal preparation; establish and monitor master plans, budgets, and schedules for new development programs.Track program spending and product costs against approved plans.Generate and maintain program schedules; monitor actual progress against planned milestones.Direct the Program Development Team, which may include Purchasing, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, and other functional areas.Manage all program phases from inception through completion and monitor work in progress to support program objectives.Oversee the development of design concepts and test criteria.Prepare program financial and functional status reports.Create and present design review packages to management.Assign clearly defined and prioritized work to team members.Coordinate and implement cost-reduction initiatives related to redesign and procurement.Coordinate resolution of service and manufacturing issues related to product design.Analyze the impact of schedule changes on affected functional areas.Recommend corrective actions, including schedule revisions, labor adjustments, funding allocations, and revised work requirements.Evaluate the technical impact of schedule changes against established plans and parameters; determine the most practical and cost-effective path forward.Identify issues before they become problems and recommend solutions.Prepare statements of work and negotiate technical details for subsystem designs with outside suppliers and customers.What You BringEducation & Experience: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in program management, engineering, business management, or a related scientific field is required.Skills & Competencies: Ability to manage multiple programs and priorities simultaneously. Ability to plan for contingencies and determine when to implement them. Highly organized and process-oriented approach to program execution. Strong leadership skills, with the ability to manage teams through challenging projects. Demonstrated track record of launching successful programs. Proficiency in Microsoft Project, Excel, Word, SharePoint and PowerPoint. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Minimum of four years of product development experience. Minimum of two years of program management experience.Preferred: Additional program management experience beyond the minimum requirement. Management experience with technical product development. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.At Life Fitness / Hammer Strength, we think customer first, play as one team, and raise the bar on fitness innovation—in the gym and in every corner of our facilities. We persevere and get it done, with a clear purpose to inspire each other to live healthier lives. If you're ready to bring out the best in people while powering the future of fitness manufacturing, we invite you to apply.Life Fitness / Hammer Strength takes pride in our talented employees and believes in providing opportunities for further growth and advancement. We encourage you to test your strengths, push your limits, and unleash your potential.At Life Fitness / Hammer Strength, we believe in taking care of our team with a comprehensive total rewards package that includes competitive pay and a range of valuable benefits. The salary range for this position, intended for U.S. applicants, is $93,000 - $135,900 annually. The actual salary will vary based on applicant's education, experience, skills, and abilities. The salary range reflected is based on a primary work location of Ramsey, MN and the actual salary may vary for applicants in a different geographic location. This position is eligible to participate in Life Fitness / Hammer Strength's annual Manager Incentive Plan to receive an annual discretionary bonus in addition to base salary. The amount of bonus varies based on company and individual performance goals and is subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan. Life Fitness / Hammer Strength offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time team members, including, but not limited to: a 401(k) savings plan with 4% employer match; medical, dental and vision insurance, parental, medical and military leaves of absence, paid time off, including 12 paid holidays throughout the calendar year, paid vacation days beginning at 13 days annually, paid sick leave as provided under state and local paid sick leave laws, company paid short-term disability and optional long-term disability, health savings account, health care and dependent care reimbursement accounts, employee and dependent life insurance and supplemental life and AD&D insurance, hospital indemnity; identity protection, legal services, adoption assistance, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, employee discounts, and an employee assistance program that includes free counseling sessions. Eligibility for benefits is governed by the applicable plan documents and policies.Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. Life Fitness / Hammer Strength complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding employment, recruitment and hiring. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.There continues to be a significant increase in phishing attempts across all industries where fraudsters are impersonating real employees and sending fictitious job offers to applicants in a scheme to obtain sensitive information. Please note that Life Fitness/Hammer Strength will never ask for your financial information at any part of the interview process, including the post-offer stage, and will only correspond through "@lifefitness.com" or "@indoorcycling.com" domain email addresses or "View email address on click.appcast.io" for U.S. opportunities. Life Fitness/Hammer Strength does not accept applications, inquiries or solicitations from unapproved staffing agencies or vendors.Life Fitness / Hammer Strength has been inspiring the world to work out for more than 55 years. Every day, exercisers in more than 150 countries log in 1+ million workouts on the company's connected fitness equipment – proving daily that Life Fitness/Hammer Strength is the world's workout partner of choice. By seamlessly bringing innovative, high-performance and reliable equipment, wherever and whenever they work out, Life Fitness/Hammer Strength aims to inspire healthier lives. Headquartered outside of Chicago, in Rosemont, Illinois, the company manufactures and sells strength and cardiovascular equipment through its iconic Life Fitness and Hammer Strength brands. Life Fitness?is synonymous with innovation and quality in the cardio and strength training arena. The company's cutting-edge equipment is designed to inspire and motivate, helping exercisers achieve their fitness goals with ease and efficiency. Hammer Strength?stands as a testament to raw power and durability. Renowned for its line of plate-loaded equipment, we dominate the strength training category with machines that are built to withstand the most intense workouts, trusted by athletes and fitness enthusiasts worldwide. By integrating the best of both brands, the company provides comprehensive workout solutions for commercial and consumer customers.Our values drive how we work, grow, and win—together: We think customer first: We're proactive, adaptable, and always improving the customer experience. We play as one team: We care, collaborate, and pick each other up—we win and lose together. We raise the bar on fitness innovation: We lead, not follow—pushing fitness further every day. We persevere and get it done: We out-work, out-match, and never compromise on quality or performance. We inspire each other to live healthier lives: We support well-being, inside and outside of work, to build a healthier world—together.Ready to make an impact? Join us and help shape the future of fitness.