Aquatics and CYF Programs Director

YMCA of Greater Toronto•Toronto, ON

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Aquatics and Child, Youth and Family (CYF) Programs Director leads the development, planning, and delivery of comprehensive Aquatics and CYF programs, ensuring quality, safety, and age-appropriate experiences across all facilities. The Director is responsible for ensuring safe and compliant daily operations in accordance with YMCA and public health standards. The role also oversees departmental operations, including budgeting, staffing, and volunteer engagement. Responsible for fostering professional growth, ongoing training, and certification for Supervisors, program staff and volunteers, while providing direct program support when required. The position ensures effective workforce management and promotes positive participant experiences through leadership and relationship building.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years' progressive experience in lifeguarding, swim instruction, teaching aquafit classes, and staff supervision.
Excellent organizational and time management skills, with attention to detail, and proficiency in computer applications and a willingness to learn new computer programs.
Demonstrates strong leadership skills to motivate, coach, and develop staff and volunteers, and acknowledge and appreciate contributions; fostering a positive and accountable team culture.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to establish rapport with members, staff, and volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
Excellent written communication skills.
Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values
Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services
YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter

Nice To Haves

Post secondary education in Recreation Leadership, Kinesiology, Physical Education, or related field preferred, or equivalent experience.
NL, Standard First Aid with CPR-C, NL Instructor/Examiner, LSS Standard First Aid Instructor/Examiner, LSS Instructor, YMCA Swim Instructor, Aquatic Manager, and Aquafit Instructor certification preferred.
Ability to speak multiple languages an asset.
Excellent understanding of diversity, inclusion, and equity, including the ability to identify and address barriers for seniors, work effectively with diverse stakeholders, and integrate equity into program design.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership in developing, promoting, planning, and implementing all Aquatics programs offered by the Health Fitness facility, including lessons, aquafit, leadership courses, and lifeguarding.
Provide leadership in developing, promoting, planning, and implementing Child, Youth, and Family programming using YMCA standards, including but not limited to soccer, basketball, karate, dance, and leagues, ensuring quality, safety, and age-appropriate program offerings.
Provide leadership and support to seasonal programs by assisting the Child, Youth and Family Programs Supervisor with March Break and Winter Camps and the Aquatics Supervisor with summer camp aquatic programming.
Develop and monitor departmental budgets, ensuring accountability and control for fiscal goals; purchase equipment (safety, aquafit), uniforms, first aid supplies, and programming materials.
Recruit, hire, onboard, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate Aquatics and Child, Youth and Family Programs staff; provide coaching, recognition, and performance management as required.
Recruit, train, and retain volunteers, providing guidance, support, and recognition to ensure meaningful engagement in programs.
Oversee scheduling and workforce management for Aquatics and Child, Youth and Family Programs staff, including approving timecards, managing vacation and time-off requests, and ensuring payroll accuracy within budget.
Conduct internal audits and regular safety checks of the pool and program areas to ensure compliance with Federal, Provincial, and YMCA standards; implement corrective actions and follow-up as needed.
Provide ongoing training, communication, and professional development for staff and volunteers, ensuring completion of all mandatory onboarding, quarterly, and annual training—both in-person and virtual—while creating clear pathways for certification and growth.
Ensure the department has qualified and trained staff to meet fiscal goals by ensuring Instructors, Examiners, and Coaches are certified, trained, and available.
Provide direct program support where needed, including teaching swim lessons, lifeguarding, leading aquafit classes, and coaching or instructing Child, Youth and Family programs.
Act as the Designated Pool Operator as outlined in the Ontario Health Regulations 565.
Support the staff team in the role of Service Leader, promoting positive member experiences using the Y Way framework and fostering relationships with participants and families, responding to feedback.
Perform other duties as assigned.