Aquatic Director

YMCA of Youngstown•Boardman, OH

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Provides leadership and management for the branch’s large-scale aquatic department while advancing the YMCA’s mission and branch priorities. Serves as a member of the Branch Leadership Team and leads aquatic operations, staff, and programs that promote water safety, healthy living, skill development, and lifelong participation in aquatics. Oversees the quality, growth, financial performance, safety, and sustainability of lifeguard services, swim lessons, water fitness, certification courses, aquatic rentals, and other assigned initiatives while creating a safe, welcoming, and mission-driven environment for members and participants. Collaborates with Aquatic Director at other branches to run a cohesive association aquatic program.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Sports Management, Exercise Science, Physical Education, Education, Business, or a related field required.
Three or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in aquatics, recreation, sports, nonprofit operations, or a related field.
Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and hold staff accountable through coaching, recognition, and performance management.
Strong knowledge of aquatic operations, lifeguarding, water safety, emergency procedures, pool chemistry, and risk management.
Strong financial, operational, and organizational skills with the ability to manage budgets, schedules, staffing, and departmental priorities.
Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with members, participants, families, volunteers, staff, schools, and community partners.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to use performance metrics to inform decisions and improve operations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, registration systems, scheduling software, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to improve communication, efficiency, and decision-making.
YMCA or American Red Cross Lifeguard
CPR for the Professional Rescuer/AED/Oxygen/First Aid
YMCA Lifeguard or American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor
YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor
Water Fitness/Group Exercise Instructor
YMCA Lifeguard Instructor Trainer (at first available offering)
YMCA Swim Lesson Trainer (at first available offering)
Praesidium Child Abuse Prevention/Blood Borne Pathogens/Preventing Sexual Harassment
YMCA of Youngstown Leadership Program (first year)
Y-USA Team Leader Certification (required within two years)
Successfully complete all YMCA-required background screenings and maintain eligibility for employment.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, and special events as required.

Nice To Haves

Experience supervising lifeguards, instructors, coaches, or aquatic personnel preferred.

Responsibilities

Serves as a member of the Branch Leadership Team and participates in Team Leader meetings, Association Aquatic Focus Groups, planning sessions, leadership development, and branch initiatives.
Supports Association priorities, collaborates with department leaders, participates in special events, and serves as Director on Duty as assigned.
Advances the YMCA’s mission by building relationships, communicating impact, strengthening the YMCA brand, supporting fundraising and donor stewardship efforts, engaging volunteers, and developing collaborative partnerships that expand aquatic participation, promote water safety, and strengthen community impact.
Creates exceptional experiences through intentional relationship building, excellent customer service, consistent communication, and responsive problem solving.
Builds lasting relationships with members, participants, families, swim team athletes, and community partners while promoting participation across YMCA programs and services.
Oversees the daily operation, appearance, cleanliness, safety, and readiness of aquatic facilities, equipment, and support spaces.
Coordinates inspections, preventative maintenance, repairs, equipment replacement needs, and facility improvement recommendations with branch and facilities leadership.
Develops and manages assigned departmental budgets in partnership with branch leadership.
Monitors financial performance, analyzes participation and financial trends, prepares variance information, and implements strategies to achieve enrollment, revenue, retention, and expense goals while ensuring responsible stewardship of YMCA resources.
Leads the planning, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of assigned aquatic programs, including lifeguard operations, swim lessons, private lessons, water fitness, Lifeguard/CPR/O2/First Aid certification courses, pool rentals, and specialty programs.
Coordinates staffing, schedules, equipment, pool space, enrollment, and other operational needs while monitoring quality, participation, safety, compliance, outcomes, and opportunities for growth and improvement.
Maintains the highest standards of aquatic safety by ensuring compliance with YMCA, state, local, and health department regulations.
Oversees lifeguard readiness, emergency action plans, pool chemistry, incident reporting, inspections, certification compliance, emergency drills, child abuse prevention and risk management procedures to provide a safe environment for all participants.
Ensures timely completion, review, and follow-up of incident reports and corrective actions.
Collaborates with the Risk Manager to implement association-wide aquatic safety standards, address identified risks, and support consistent safety practices across YMCA branches.
Recruits, hires, trains, develops, schedules, supervises, evaluates, and recognizes lifeguards, swim instructors, coaches, water fitness instructors, LGI/CPR/FA Trainers, and aquatic support staff.
Ensures staff maintain required certifications and provides ongoing coaching, performance management, payroll administration, and department in-service training.
Creates a culture of safety, teamwork, accountability, and exceptional service.