Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Yoga Program Manager

🎯 Role Definition

The Yoga Program Manager is responsible for designing, launching, and managing high-quality yoga programs and experiences that drive participant engagement, retention, and revenue. This role blends curriculum design and teacher development with studio and digital operations, marketing, partnership cultivation, and data-driven program optimization. The manager leads a cross-functional team of instructors, coordinators, and external partners to deliver scalable, safe, and inclusive wellness offerings for diverse populations, including members, corporate clients, and community groups.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Yoga Instructor / Senior Yoga Teacher (RYT 200+)
Studio Coordinator or Front Desk Manager
Community Wellness Coordinator or Program Coordinator

Advancement To:

Senior Program Manager / Regional Program Manager
Director of Wellness / Director of Programming
Head of Studio Operations or VP of Community Engagement

Lateral Moves:

Studio Operations Manager
Corporate Wellness Manager
Events & Retreats Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead the end-to-end design and execution of yoga curricula and program offerings (drop-in classes, series, workshops, teacher training, retreats, corporate wellness) ensuring alignment with brand values, educational standards, and participant outcomes.
Recruit, onboard, mentor, and evaluate a diverse team of yoga instructors and teaching assistants; establish clear teaching standards, observation frameworks, and ongoing professional development pathways.
Create, maintain, and optimize class schedules across multiple formats (in-studio, livestream, on-demand) to maximize utilization, accessibility, and revenue while balancing instructor availability and studio capacity.
Build and manage program budgets including forecasting class profitability, tracking P&L, controlling costs (payroll, supplies, venue fees), and implementing pricing strategies to drive sustainable growth.
Develop comprehensive teacher training and continuing education programs (eg. RYT-eligible modules, specialty workshops) to raise instructional quality and support career growth for teaching staff.
Implement and maintain health, safety, and risk management protocols (COVID-era policies, emergency response, injury reporting, liability waivers, CPR/First Aid requirements) to ensure participant safety and legal compliance.
Design and execute marketing, outreach, and retention strategies for programs — including email campaigns, social media content, paid ads, community partnerships, and referral incentives — to grow class enrollments and membership conversion.
Manage relationships with corporate clients, community partners, schools, and healthcare providers to develop and scale tailored onsite or virtual wellness programs and corporate subscriptions.
Oversee the planning and delivery of special events (teacher training weekends, workshops, community classes, seasonal intensives, retreats), including vendor management, logistics, registration flow, and post-event evaluation.
Lead implementation and optimization of studio and program technologies (scheduling/booking platforms, CRM, streaming platforms, LMS for trainings, POS) to streamline operations and deliver excellent user experiences.
Monitor and analyze program performance metrics (attendance, retention, lifetime value, conversion rates, NPS) and prepare monthly/quarterly reports with actionable recommendations for continuous improvement.
Create curriculum maps, sequencing templates, and class plans that support different levels (beginner to advanced), populations (prenatal, seniors, trauma-informed), and modalities (vinyasa, hatha, restorative, yin, breathwork).
Coordinate recruitment and management of substitute teachers and float instructors to ensure class coverage and maintain quality during staff absences.
Ensure accessibility and inclusivity across all programs by applying trauma-sensitive, adaptive, and culturally competent teaching practices and making adjustments for mobility, neurodiversity, and language needs.
Develop and maintain clear documentation: instructor handbooks, class policies, SOPs for bookings/cancellations, cleaning protocols, and onboarding materials for new hires and volunteers.
Manage membership and program enrollment strategies, including tiered offerings, class packs, memberships, and promotional pricing; run experiments to optimize conversion and retention funnels.
Collaborate with finance and operations to manage vendor contracts, rental agreements, insurance renewals, and procurement of mats, props, and audio-visual equipment.
Serve as primary point of contact for participant feedback, complaints, and incident resolution; investigate issues, implement corrective actions, and communicate outcomes to stakeholders.
Lead cross-functional planning with marketing, operations, and executive teams to align program launches, seasonal campaigns, and strategic priorities.
Develop and submit grant proposals, sponsorship packages, and partnership agreements where applicable to fund community outreach or sliding-scale programs.
Curate and oversee recorded and on-demand content strategy (class library curation, course creation, teacher-led series) to expand reach and create passive revenue channels.
Stay current with industry best practices, research on yoga therapeutics and safety, and continuing education requirements; integrate new modalities and evidence-based practices into programs.
Manage volunteer programs and community ambassadors to support events, outreach, and localized engagement efforts.
Oversee quality assurance by conducting regular class observations, performing instructor scorecards, and implementing remediation/training plans to ensure consistent excellence across offerings.
Coordinate logistics for regional expansion or pop-up programs including venue scouting, permits, staffing models, and localized marketing.

Secondary Functions

Provide operational support for ad-hoc initiatives: pilot programs, member focus groups, or cross-promotional partnerships with fitness, health, or cultural organizations.
Assist with membership administration tasks during peak periods (audit enrollments, reconcile class rosters, support refunds/credits).
Support internal staff training sessions on customer service, inclusivity, and scheduling tools to improve frontline responsiveness.
Contribute to content creation for blog posts, newsletters, and social media that promote programs and educate the community about yoga benefits.
Participate in strategic planning meetings to propose new program ideas, evaluate market opportunities, and prioritize roadmap initiatives.
Help maintain accurate documentation in the LMS and central repository for curriculum assets, recordings, and instructor credentials.
Act as a backup events liaison when event managers are unavailable, supporting vendor coordination, registration desks, and day-of logistics.
Coordinate with facilities teams to schedule maintenance, set up class spaces, and manage equipment inventory for program continuity.
Support data collection for impact measurement (surveys, attendance tracking, testimonial gathering) used in reporting and grant applications.
Serve occasionally as a senior teacher for high-profile classes, corporate sessions, or community outreach events when needed.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Program management and curriculum design for yoga and wellness programs (series, workshops, teacher trainings, retreats).
Yoga teaching credentials and pedagogy: RYT-200 minimum, RYT-500 or specialized certifications preferred; strong knowledge of anatomy, sequencing, and modifications.
Class scheduling and studio management software (e.g., Mindbody, Glofox, Wodify, WellnessLiving) and CRM tools for member lifecycle management.
Digital delivery platforms and production basics for livestream and on-demand content (Zoom, Vimeo, YouTube, Vimeo Livestream, OBS).
Budgeting and financial acumen: P&L oversight, forecasting, pricing strategies, payroll management.
Event planning and logistics management for multi-day trainings, retreats, and community events.
Data analysis and KPI tracking (attendance, retention, conversion, LTV) using spreadsheets and reporting tools (Excel, Google Sheets, BI dashboards).
Marketing fundamentals: email marketing platforms (Mailchimp, Klaviyo), social media content strategy, paid ads, and community outreach.
Health, safety, and risk management knowledge: CPR/First Aid certification management, waiver administration, incident reporting.
Grant writing, sponsorship development, or partnership contract negotiation experience (preferred for community or nonprofit-focused programs).
Technical proficiency with learning management systems (LMS) and content organization for teacher training modules.
Familiarity with accessibility best practices, trauma-informed teaching, and inclusive language in wellness settings.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and people management: hiring, coaching, performance reviews, and conflict resolution for a diverse instructor team.
Exceptional communication and public speaking skills for class instruction, corporate presentations, and community engagement.
Customer-focused mindset with high emotional intelligence and empathy to resolve participant concerns and maintain community trust.
Project management and organizational skills, comfortable juggling multiple initiatives and deadlines.
Creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial mindset to prototype, iterate, and scale new offerings.
Cultural competence and sensitivity to work with diverse populations and create inclusive program experiences.
Negotiation and partnership-building skills to secure venues, corporate contracts, and community collaborators.
Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced, evolving studio or virtual environments.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree preferred but not required; equivalent experience in program or studio management accepted.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Education, Business, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
Advanced certifications in yoga therapy, Ayurveda, or related holistic modalities (optional).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Kinesiology / Exercise Science
Yoga Studies / Holistic Health
Education / Adult Learning
Business Administration / Management
Community Health / Public Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–7 years of progressive experience in yoga teaching, studio operations, or wellness program management.

Preferred:

5+ years managing multi-site or multi-format yoga/wellness programs.
Proven experience delivering teacher trainings, retreats, and corporate wellness programs.
Demonstrated success in driving enrollment growth, improving retention metrics, and managing program budgets.