Aquatics Director - Hogan Family YMCA

Heart of the Valley YMCA•Madison, AL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Aquatics Director provides dynamic leadership for aquatics programs, staff, and operations at the assigned YMCA branch. The role focuses on creating a safe, welcoming, and engaging experience for everyone using the pool, advancing water safety, and helping people of all ages gain confidence around water. The director develops aquatic staff and programs, supports community access and engagement, and ensures pools are safe, well-run places where people can learn, connect, and belong. The director leads and develops a high-performing aquatics team; oversees pool operations and safety; establishes program quality standards; and grows participation, accessibility, and revenue. The position also manages the department’s budget and records, maintains compliance with YMCA and regulatory requirements, and partners with facilities staff and branch leadership to support the organization’s mission and priorities. This is a full-time position with a flexible schedule based on operational and program needs. Typical hours generally fall Monday through Friday, with schedule adjustments for evening or weekend responsibilities, seasonal changes, and special events. Regular travel between YMCA locations and community or event sites throughout the service area is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
Certified to instruct others in CPR, AED/O2, First Aid, Lifeguarding, and Swim Lessons, or able to obtain the certifications.
Proven ability to stimulate program growth through community relations and innovative programming, with an emphasis on positive member experiences.
Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
Professionalism, strong customer service, and conduct that exemplifies YMCA values.
Ability to adjust the schedule periodically to monitor all aspects of aquatics programming.
Ability to routinely climb stairs; bend, stoop, kneel, twist, and reach; sit and stand for extended periods; walk; lift or move up to 30 pounds; and perform tasks requiring finger dexterity, grasping, repetitive motions, talking, hearing, and visual acuity.
Ability to maintain confidentiality when working with sensitive information and exercise discretion.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Problem-solving, organizational, and task-management skills, including the ability to make independent, sound decisions in a rapidly changing environment.
Attention to detail, accuracy, and alertness.
Initiative in the absence of supervision.
Ability to relate to and work with diverse groups of people in a friendly and consistent manner.
Ability to work collaboratively as a team member and independently, and to lead according to assigned goals, duties, and deadlines.
Maintain a neat and professional appearance.

Nice To Haves

One to two years of supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Recruit, train, coach, supervise, and retain an engaged, high-performing aquatics team.
Ensure lifeguards are certified, trained, tested, deployed, and documented.
Maintain adequate staffing and lifeguard supervision so pools remain safely open during scheduled operating hours and avoid preventable downtime.
Develop and expand relevant, high-quality aquatics programs that increase participation, serve families, respond to community needs, and create opportunities for impact and revenue.
Promote a strong water-safety culture through training, in-services, emergency preparedness, drills, active supervision, and consistent application of YMCA aquatic safety standards.
Establish and monitor quality standards for swim lessons, recreational aquatics, swim team, water exercise, and other programs.
Identify community partnerships and opportunities to expand access to swim lessons, water-safety education, drowning-prevention initiatives, and aquatics programming.
Develop strategies to increase enrollment, pool utilization, member engagement, retention, and aquatics revenue, while connecting families with the broader YMCA experience.
Ensure staff certifications, training, pool operations, and safety practices comply with YMCA, health department, regulatory, insurance, and organizational requirements.
Maintain accurate and current certifications, inspection records, training records, incident reports, chemical logs, safety documentation, and other required records.
Develop and manage the department budget, payroll, revenue, expenses, equipment, and resources while meeting established financial and program goals.
Work with Facilities and branch leadership to maintain clean, safe, inviting, and properly functioning pools, decks, equipment, and aquatic spaces.
Build relationships with members, families, staff, community partners, and other YMCA departments; maintain a visible leadership presence and advance the YMCA’s mission.
Partner with the branch leadership team on branch events, initiatives, and organizational priorities, and perform other duties assigned by YMCA leadership.
Flex the work schedule as needed to monitor aquatics programming and meet operational needs.
Travel regularly between YMCA locations and community or event sites throughout the service area.