Program Director / Lead Facilitator - Culinary Nutrition Coach (CNC) Course
University of Health & Performance
Location: UHP, 25200 Ranch Rd, Gentry, AR 72734
Job Type: Full-time, in-person
Salary Range: $60,000 - $85,000 annually
Reports To: SVP of Performance
Role Overview
The Program Director / Lead Facilitator for UHP’s Culinary Nutrition Coach (CNC) program is a full-time, in-person role based in Northwest Arkansas. This position requires relocation to the region and consistent on-campus presence. The role includes flexible and variable hours, with occasional evenings and weekends required to support immersive, in-person program delivery.
This role is responsible for leading the overall learner experience and program execution while modeling a coaching-centered approach. The Program Director / Lead Facilitator serves as the central integrator and facilitator across the CNC curriculum, collaborating closely with UHP’s subject-matter faculty: a registered dietitian, a chef, a farmer, and UHP executive staff.
UHP is training coaches who can work skillfully with food and nutrition within scope of practice. This position is intentionally designed as a large-group facilitator and coach role, ensuring content is consistently translated into behavior change theory, communication excellence, ethical practice, and real-world coaching application for students.
About UHP
UHP (Unlock Human Potential) is an innovator in integrative health and fitness education for military Veterans. We take a practice-based, human-centered approach to coaching education by delivering the skills essential to launch an impactful and meaningful career, and are purpose-built to provide an environment for mental, physical, and vocational transformation.
UHP’s 800-acre campus, located at the foot of the Ozark Mountains, combines an uplifting natural setting with world-class training facilities, dedicated classroom space, hiking trails, modern living spaces, and a health-forward commercial kitchen to support an immersive learning and living experience for students.
Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Program Leadership and Oversight
- Serve as the Program Director and Lead Facilitator for the CNC program, ensuring alignment with UHP’s mission, standards, and student outcomes.
- Oversee day-to-day program execution (flow, pacing, transitions, communications, and learner experience) during the in-person course.
- Coordinate with faculty and curriculum developers to ensure program coherence and consistent application of coaching principles across all content areas.
- Lead continuous improvement efforts by gathering feedback, identifying opportunities, and collaborating on revisions for future cohorts.
Facilitation and Coaching Skill Development
- Facilitate large-group learning sessions, coaching practices, reflective discussions, and skills practice in a way that models professional coaching presence and ethics.
- Guide students in applying coaching techniques to nutrition-related goals, including motivation, ambivalence, barriers, habit formation, and environmental design.
- Reinforce appropriate scope of practice, helping students understand what nutrition coaches do (and do not do), and when referral is appropriate.
Curriculum Integration Across Faculty Domains
- Serve as the primary integrator across the four pillars of the CNC program: nutrition coaching, growing food, preparing food, and entrepreneurship.
- Collaborate with the registered dietitian, chef, and farmer to ensure content is delivered in a learner-centered, coaching-forward way.
- Help students connect farming and culinary experiences to client realities, values, access considerations, and sustainable behavior change.
Student Support and Mentorship
- Create an environment that supports Veteran students through high-touch facilitation, mentorship, and encouragement.
- Support students’ development of professional identity, confidence, and ethical decision-making as culinary nutrition coaches.
- Provide guidance on professional conduct, client relationships, boundaries, and coach self-care.
Program Operations and Cross-Team Collaboration
- Coordinate with campus operations as needed to ensure a smooth student experience, including alignment between program goals and day-to-day learning environment.
- Partner with entrepreneurship instruction to support learners in translating coaching skills into viable career pathways and business concepts.
Preferred Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Health Coaching, Exercise Science, Nutrition, Public Health, Education, or a related field.
Experience
- Demonstrated experience facilitating large groups using adult learning theory and a non-directive, client-centered coaching approach.
- Strong grounding in coaching communication that prioritizes client autonomy, values-based decision-making, and empowerment over directive advice-giving.
- Experience in program management, curriculum coordination, or educational leadership.
- Experience working with Veterans or other adult learner populations is preferred.
- Entrepreneurship experience is preferred but not required.
- National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) preferred, or willing to get certified through UHP.
Additional Skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to create trust, engagement, and accountability in a cohort environment.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex content into practical coaching application.
- Ability to lead with clarity and warmth while maintaining appropriate standards and boundaries.
- Comfort working in an interdisciplinary faculty model and serving as the “glue” across multiple content domains.
Role Details
- UHP offers a competitive salary and benefits including paid time off, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, and 401(k).
Application Deadline
- The position is open until filled, with an ideal start date of March 1st.
Application Process
- If you are a coach-centered educator and facilitator passionate about developing Veterans into confident, ethical Culinary Nutrition Coaches, we invite you to apply.
- Please submit your resume, cover letter, and relevant certifications to Hunter Schurrer at hunter@uhp.com.

















