Senior Program Director - Aquatics
About The Position
Under the direction of the Branch Executive, the Senior Program Director - Aquatics leads day-to-day operations of the branch aquatics department and guides association-wide aquatics initiatives. The role promotes consistency, safety, and program quality through leadership of aquatics curriculum, safety and compliance practices, staff onboarding and training, programming, and strategic priorities. The Senior Program Director builds relationships with members, staff, schools, families, and community partners to advance safe, high-quality aquatic experiences throughout the association. The position leads branch aquatics operations and staff while providing association-wide leadership for curriculum, programming, instructional practices, participant progression, and member experience. It also coordinates Safety Around Water and First Aid/CPR programming, supports budget planning, advances aquatics priorities, evaluates program performance and service delivery, maintains operational records, and provides operational or emergency coverage as needed.
Requirements
- Previous supervisory experience required.
- Ability to provide leadership across multiple locations, balance competing priorities, and build effective working relationships with children, families, staff, members, and diverse community partners.
- Within three months of hire, obtain and maintain CPR, First Aid, Lifeguarding, Water Safety Instructor, Pool & Spa Operator, Emergency Oxygen Administration, Lifeguard Supervisor, Child Abuse Prevention, Bloodborne Pathogens, and other certifications required by the YMCA.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Ability to facilitate meetings and training and deliver presentations to varied audiences.
- Proficiency with standard business technology and applications used for budgeting, financial management, scheduling, communication, and program administration.
- Ability to communicate clearly in person and through communication devices and promptly recognize and respond to audible and visual signals, including in emergencies.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and perform physical activities necessary to support aquatic programs and respond to operational or emergency needs.
- Ability to observe and assess pool areas, facilities, equipment, program spaces, documents, and computer screens, and move throughout YMCA facilities as needed.
- Ability to work effectively in humid, wet, noisy, and physically active aquatic environments and respond promptly to changing operational and safety conditions.
Nice To Haves
- Aquatics leadership experience preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead day-to-day branch aquatics operations, including staffing, scheduling, program execution, and facility readiness.
- Recruit, supervise, train, coach, and evaluate branch lifeguards and swim instructors, and support association-wide recruitment, onboarding, and staff development.
- Provide association-wide leadership for aquatics curriculum, programming, instructional practices, participant progression, and member experience.
- Lead association-wide aquatic safety and compliance practices in alignment with YMCA standards, certification requirements, internal procedures, reporting expectations, and child abuse prevention practices.
- Coordinate Safety Around Water and First Aid/CPR programming, including scheduling, staffing, promotion, registration support, and outreach with branches, schools, families, employees, and community partners.
- Provide operational input for branch and association budget planning related to staffing, training, equipment, programming, growth opportunities, and strategic initiatives.
- Develop and implement plans for aquatics operations, staffing, safety, outreach, program growth, and service delivery.
- Evaluate program performance, staff readiness, schedules, outreach efforts, and service delivery; maintain records, training documentation, schedules, and communication tools.
- Provide operational or emergency coverage as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Follow YMCA abuse prevention and risk management policies, including required trainings, mandated reporting, and monitoring of high-risk areas.
- Collaborate with branch and association leaders on cross-functional priorities, community engagement, special events, trainings, and service initiatives.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
