Directors vs Owners: Who Decides What?

If you’ve ever wondered whether your gym director has too much power—or not enough—this episode will give you a clear framework. In this Cheer Biz Podcast episode, Dan Cotton breaks down what managers and directors in a cheer gym should actually be responsible for, and where the hard boundaries must be. He explains why true directors should have authority over hiring, training, retraining, retention, and even termination of subordinates—paired with clear KPIs so success is measurable. But he also draws a firm line on what directors should not control, including gym pricing, scholarships, major financial commitments like choreography, uniforms, and music, and decisions that impact profitability like class ratios, scheduling priorities, and overall business strategy. If you’re a cheer gym owner trying to scale, reduce chaos, improve staff accountability, and protect your margins, this episode will help you set smarter systems—without turning directors into “employees with a title” or giving away the keys to the business.