Senior Director, May Center Programming

92nd Street Y•New York, NY

44d•$115,000 - $125,000

About The Position

The Senior Director, May Center Programming is responsible for the overall strategic leadership, financial performance, team management, and operational excellence of the May Center Athletics (Sports and Gymnastics) and Aquatics divisions. This role provides comprehensive oversight of all programming within these divisions, ensuring high-quality experiences, strong enrollment and retention, fiscal responsibility, and alignment with the May Center’s mission and organizational goals. The Senior Director directly manages the Center Heads within Athletics and Aquatics and works collaboratively with the Executive Director and other senior leaders to ensure seamless integration across departments. The Senior Director, May Center Programming plays a critical role in driving program growth, staff development, and continuous improvement while maintaining a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for participants of all ages.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of progressive leadership experience, preferably within athletics, aquatics, youth development, or community-based programming.
Proven experience managing senior leaders and complex, multi-program operations.
Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis.
Exceptional organizational and strategic planning skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
Thrives in fast-paced environments and adapts quickly to changing needs.
Calm, solutions-oriented leader who maintains professionalism under pressure.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a commitment to building positive relationships with staff, participants, and stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to anticipate challenges and implement proactive, thoughtful solutions.

Responsibilities

Strategic and Financial Oversight:
Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking for all Athletics (Sports and Gymnastics) and Aquatics programs, with a focus on sustainable growth and profitability.
Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) including enrollment, retention, staffing ratios, and program margins; adjust strategy to meet or exceed financial and participation goals.
Ensure responsible management of divisional budgets, payroll, and resource allocation.
Partner with the Executive Director on long-range planning, capital needs, and program expansion opportunities.
Program Leadership and Department Management:
Provide direct supervision, coaching, and leadership to the Center Heads of Athletics (Sports and Gymnastics) and Aquatics.
Set clear expectations and performance goals for divisional leadership, ensuring accountability, consistency, and excellence in program delivery.
Support Center Heads in curriculum development, scheduling, staffing models, and operational systems.
Foster collaboration across divisions and with other May Center departments to create cohesive, participant-centered experiences.
Ensure programs meet all safety, risk management, and regulatory standards.
Program Development and Participant Experience:
Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of high-quality Athletics and Aquatics programs serving diverse age groups and skill levels.
Ensure programs are mission-aligned, inclusive, and responsive to community needs.
Identify opportunities to enhance participant engagement, progression pathways, and retention across programs.
Partner with marketing and sales teams to support enrollment strategies, seasonal campaigns, and promotional initiatives.
Regularly assess participant feedback and operational data to drive continuous improvement.
Staff Leadership and Professional Development:
Provide mentorship, performance management, and professional development opportunities for Center Heads and senior staff.
Support recruiting, onboarding, training, and evaluation processes to ensure strong leadership pipelines within Athletics and Aquatics.
Promote a positive, collaborative, and high-performance culture rooted in professionalism, accountability, and care.
Operations, Systems and Administration:
Oversee administrative functions within Athletics and Aquatics, inlcluding scheduling, payroll oversight, compliance documentation, and reporting
Partner with internal teams on systems, data tracking, and operational workflows to improve efficiency and transparency.
Ensure programs are aligned with organizational policies related to finance, HR, IT, and risk management.
Perform other related duties as assigned.