Founding Studio Manager
Description

 

RTR Pilates is expanding! At RTR Pilates, we’ve built a reputation as the DMV’s gold standard for contemporary reformer Pilates by putting community at the heart of everything we do. We are bringing this premier boutique experience to the Philadelphia area and are looking for a high-energy, sales-driven Founding Studio Manager to lead our market entry. We foster an environment where wellness meets community, dedicated to empowering individuals to achieve their fitness goals while building lasting relationships.

As the Founding Studio Manager, you will be the face of our expansion, responsible for driving presales and generating local momentum. This position is designed for a high-performer who wants to prove their leadership and is intended to transition into the General Manager, overseeing total studio operations and a future Assistant General Manager. We are looking for someone who genuinely loves to help others and is ready to achieve something great with us.


Pre-Open & Launch Phase

Your primary objective is to hit membership targets before Grand Opening Day (planned for early August). You will act as the local lead, reporting to the Regional Manager while being the primary driver of growth on the ground.


The Evolution of Your Role

Phase 1: The Build (Now – August) Your primary objective is to hit membership targets before Grand Opening Day. You are the face of RTR in a brand new market.

  • The First Voice: Complete intensive training in DC to become the lead Founding Instructor for the Philly market.
  • Presales Leadership & Revenue Generation: Execute the "Founding Member" sales strategy to hit pre-launch capacity goals.
  • Manage the full sales funnel: proactively capturing leads, conducting outreach, and converting prospects into committed members.
  • Host "Pop-Up" events and info sessions across Philly to build a robust waitlist.
  • Market Development & Grassroots Marketing:
  • Identify and secure local partnerships with complementary businesses (cafes, athletic wear, wellness centers).
  • Lead local flyering, street team efforts, and community networking to establish brand presence.
  • Contribute social media content to create hype and engagement.
  • Studio Building & Operational Readiness:
  • On-site liaison for the Director of Operations to ensure build-out and equipment installation are timely and aligned with standards.
  • Coordinate with contractors and vendors to ensure the studio is "RTR Brand Ready" for opening day.

Phase 2: The Run (August & Beyond) Once the doors open, your focus shifts to studio excellence and scaling. Each GM may manage 2-4 studios, and a team of Lead Instructors and Assistant General Managers. 

  •  Execute Sales Strategy to Drive Revenue
  • Drive top-line revenue: Set and execute monthly sales targets for each location
  • Audit the funnel: track Leads ? Intros ? Memberships to identify & resolve drop-off
  • Collaborate with marketing to ensure lead flow meets growth targets
  • Execute and track localized strategies (promos, events) to hit budget goals
  • Operational Excellence
  • Brand Consistency: Conduct bi-weekly facility audits to ensure cleanliness and brand standards
  • Schedule consistency and reliability: ensure full coverage while maximizing profitability
  • Enforce company policies consistently to mitigate risk
  • Client Experience & Product Quality
  • Regular presence in studios to set the instruction standard and connect with members
  • Quality Control: Evaluate instructor performance through class attendance 
  • Retention: Monitor churn rates and lead "save strategies" for at-risk members
  • Handle high-level member escalation. 
Requirements

Requirements:

  • The "Builder" Mindset: You are a self-starter who thrives in an unstructured, "startup" environment. You don't wait for instructions; you find opportunities.
  • Sales Grit: Proven experience in sales, hitting quotas, or brand ambassador work. You are comfortable "pounding the pavement" to find new members.
  • Travel Availability: Ability to travel to the Washington D.C./DMV area for 2–4 weeks of intensive initial training to learn the RTR methodology and operational systems.
  • Schedule Flexibility: As a launch role, this requires a "whatever it takes" schedule, including early mornings, weekends, and evening community events.
  • Background check: Employment at RTR depends on successfully completing a background check. 

Traits & Characteristics:

  • Fitness experience preferred. Will be trained to teach RTR-style reformer Pilates.
  • Expansion-Minded: You aren't looking for a steady "desk job"; you want to grow a market and earn a promotion to General Manager.
  • Local Expert: You know Philadelphia, you love the community, and you know exactly where our target clients hang out.
  • Resilient & Adaptable: You can handle the pivots and challenges that come with a new construction project and a new market entry.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Base Salary: $42-48k (through August or opening) Class Compensation: $40-50/piece based on experience & RTR training
  • Launch Bonus: Commission/bonus structure tied directly to presale performance and grand opening targets.
  • Benefits: Health Insurance (medical, dental, & vision), 401K, and 11 days PTO + 8 Holidays.
  • Growth: Clear path to General Manager ($72K+ base) contingent upon successful achievement of metrics and a 90-day performance review.