Aquatics Program Manager

Arch Amenities Group•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

The Aquatic Program Manager is responsible for the daily management and measurable performance of assigned aquatic programs, with primary emphasis on group and private swim lessons. The role oversees enrollment, class utilization, instructor productivity, instructional quality, staff training, participant progression, and financial results within approved budgets and delegated authority. The Manager leads a consistent, level-based curriculum and develops instructors while ensuring reliable coverage, safe program delivery, clear reporting, and continuous improvement. The position reports to the Aquatics Director. The Manager plans swim lesson offerings and seasonal programs; monitors enrollment, utilization, revenue, instructional labor, margins, retention, and waitlists; and provides monthly performance reports with proposed corrective actions. The role supervises and schedules instructors, verifies credentials, supports training and payroll reconciliation, and coaches staff through observations and feedback. It maintains curriculum and advancement standards, assesses lesson quality, and responds to participant and parent feedback. The Manager confirms that lessons have qualified instructors, appropriate equipment and teaching space, and required safety coverage; coordinates operational checklists with authorized pool personnel; documents incidents and concerns; and provides timely customer service. The position also supports special events and may serve as Manager-on-Duty when assigned. It includes teaching eight scheduled hours per week as part of the program, with additional private lessons possible subject to demand, available space, and Aquatics Director approval. The work may include standing or sitting for extended periods, walking on pool decks, bending, kneeling, reaching, handling equipment, and working in indoor or outdoor aquatic environments with noise, temperature variation, and pool chemicals. Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with applicable law.

Requirements

At least three years of swim instruction and lifeguarding experience; the posting also specifies 3+ years of lifeguard experience.
Current American Red Cross Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid certifications, or employer-accepted equivalents as required for assigned duties.
High school diploma or GED.
Demonstrated ability to lead staff, organize programming, and apply sound judgment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to schedule, provide customer service, and use computers proficiently.
Ability to interpret enrollment and financial reports, coach instructional staff, and maintain records.
Ability to work independently within established authority.
Ability to lift 45 pounds; the posting also states the employee may need to push, pull, and/or carry up to 25 pounds and describes lifting/carrying demands of 50 pounds or less and 50 pounds or more.
Ability to sit or stand for an entire shift and to stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, talk, reach, and handle or operate objects, tools, or controls.
Ability to work around chemicals, odors, noise, and indoor or outdoor heat and cool conditions; vision requirements include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Proficiency with appropriate computer skills and office equipment.

Nice To Haves

American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Maintain accurate swim lesson offerings, class capacity, enrollment, waitlists, cancellations, and instructor assignments.
Track enrollment and seat-fill percentages by session, level, time slot, and program type; compare results with approved targets and implement approved improvements.
Review lesson revenue, instructional labor expense, instructor productivity, refunds, and program margin against approved budgets; identify trends, explain variances, and recommend adjustments.
Develop seasonal program plans reflecting demand, participant progression, class sizes, staffing availability, and approved financial expectations.
Provide the Aquatics Director with monthly performance reports covering enrollment, utilization, revenue, labor, margin, retention, waitlists, and proposed corrective actions.
Develop and monitor instructor schedules, maintain qualified lesson coverage, and arrange substitutes while preserving required facility safety staffing.
Meet with the Aquatics Director and appropriate staff to review upcoming sessions, staffing, training, events, enrollment, and risks.
Supervise instructors through documented observations, feedback, coaching, and follow-up; address performance concerns and recommend formal action through established procedures.
Oversee new instructor orientation, verify credentials before assignment, monitor training completion, and reconcile instructor hours and payroll records by established deadlines.
Adjust class and labor assignments within delegated authority according to demand and productivity while maintaining safe ratios, instructional quality, and customer service.
Maintain and implement a written, level-based swim lesson curriculum with objectives, required skills, evaluation methods, and consistent advancement criteria.
Create and implement seasonal and long-term instructor development plans, including onboarding, mentoring, observed instruction, in-services, skill assessments, and follow-up.
Conduct recurring instructor in-services on the schedule approved by the Aquatics Director and document attendance, competency, and completion of assigned improvements.
Monitor participant placement, skill assessments, advancement between levels, and repeat enrollment; use findings to improve instruction and retention.
Review instructor performance and participant or parent feedback to identify quality improvements and ensure consistent instructional standards.
Confirm lessons have qualified instructors, necessary equipment, designated teaching space, and required safety coverage before they begin.
Oversee assigned cleaning, safety, water-quality, and operational checklists with the Aquatics Director and authorized pool operations personnel.
Document incidents and participant concerns under established procedures and promptly escalate unresolved safety, staffing, or service issues.
Respond professionally and promptly to program questions, registration concerns, level-placement questions, and member feedback; coordinate follow-up as needed.
Support special events and serve as Manager-on-Duty when assigned, consistent with operational needs and training.
Teach eight scheduled hours per week using the approved curriculum, placement and advancement standards, and seasonal instructional priorities; coordinate assignments with the Aquatics Director.
Schedule and track any approved additional private lessons separately, including enrollment, hours, and revenue, without interfering with supervisory and financial responsibilities.
Review program results monthly, explain exceptions, and document agreed action steps.
Perform other related duties as assigned by authorized leadership.