Aquatics Director - Hogan Family YMCA

Heart of the Valley YMCA•Madison, AL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Aquatics Director provides leadership for aquatics programs, staff, and operations at the Hogan Family YMCA. The role focuses on creating a safe, welcoming, engaging aquatic experience and advancing the YMCA’s commitment to water safety. The director leads the growth, quality, accessibility, and innovation of aquatics programming; develops aquatic safety professionals; and helps people of all ages build confidence around water and feel connected to the community. The director leads and develops the aquatics team, ensures reliable and compliant pool operations, maintains program quality and safety standards, and builds community partnerships. The role also manages department finances and resources, supports welcoming and properly functioning aquatic facilities, and works with branch leadership to advance YMCA priorities. The position requires a flexible full-time schedule, including occasional evening and weekend responsibilities, as well as regular travel between YMCA locations and community or event sites throughout the service area. The YMCA describes its culture as welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined, with a mission of loving its neighbors and helping individuals reach their full potential.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
Ability to instruct others in CPR, AED/O2, First Aid, Lifeguarding, and Swim Lessons, or ability 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, customer-service skills, and the ability to exemplify YMCA values.
Ability to flex the schedule periodically to monitor all aspects of aquatics programming.
Ability to perform routine physical activities including climbing stairs; bending, stooping, kneeling, twisting, and reaching; sitting and standing for extended periods; walking; lifting or moving up to 30 pounds; finger dexterity; grasping; repetitive motions; talking; hearing; and visual acuity for detailed tasks.
Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling 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 work with diverse groups of people in a friendly and consistent manner.
Ability to collaborate as a team member, work independently, and lead according to assigned goals, duties, and deadlines.
Ability to maintain a neat and professional appearance.

Nice To Haves

One to two years of supervisory experience is 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 hours and avoidable downtime is minimized.
Develop and expand relevant, high-quality aquatics programs that increase participation, serve families, respond to community needs, and create opportunities for impact and revenue.
Lead water-safety practices through training, in-services, emergency preparedness, drills, active supervision, and consistent application of YMCA aquatic safety standards.
Establish and monitor standards for swim lessons, recreational aquatics, swim team, water exercise, and other programs to ensure high-quality participant and family experiences.
Identify 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 to the broader YMCA experience.
Ensure staff certifications, training, pool operations, and safety practices meet YMCA, health department, regulatory, insurance, and organizational requirements.
Maintain accurate and current certifications, inspections, training records, incident reports, chemical logs, safety documentation, and other records, retaining them according to Y-USA and association policies.
Develop and manage the department budget, payroll, revenue, expenses, equipment, and resources while meeting established financial and program goals.
Partner 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.
Adjust the regular work schedule as needed for evening or weekend responsibilities and key programs or events.
Travel regularly between YMCA locations and community or event sites throughout the service area.