Gameday Bay Indoor Waterpark Manager

S&L Corporate Office•Canton, OH

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Gameday Bay is preparing to make waves in Canton, Ohio with an exciting new indoor waterpark experience opening in Spring 2027. We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, and safety-focused Waterpark Manager to join our leadership team ahead of opening and play a key role in bringing the vision to life. Due to the extensive lifeguard recruitment, certification, and training responsibilities associated with this role, we anticipate hiring this position in October/November 2026, allowing ample time to build and train a best-in-class aquatic team before opening day. This is a unique opportunity for an aquatic professional who enjoys leading teams, developing talent, creating memorable guest experiences, and setting the standard for safety and operational excellence. As the Waterpark Manager, you won't simply inherit an operation. You'll help create one along with S&L Hospitality and the General Manager. You will be responsible for recruiting, developing, certifying, and leading the team that will deliver exceptional guest experiences from day one. You'll work alongside the General Manager and other department leaders to establish operating procedures, launch programming, build a strong safety culture, and help prepare the facility for a successful grand opening.

Requirements

Minimum three years of leadership experience in aquatics, waterparks, or recreation.
Experience supervising and developing teams in a fast-paced environment.
Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak operating periods as business demands require.
Ability to obtain and maintain required certifications.
Lifeguard Certification
Lifeguard Instructor Certification
CPR
First Aid
AED
Oxygen Administration
Any additional certifications required by the company, certifying agency, or applicable law
Successful completion of a background check

Nice To Haves

Experience managing an aquatic facility, waterpark, municipal pool, recreation center, or similar operation.
Experience leading aquatic events, programming, or special events.
Working knowledge of pool operations, water chemistry, and aquatic safety programs.
Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Hospitality, Sports Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Candidates who already hold a current Lifeguard Instructor certification are strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee the day-to-day operation of the indoor waterpark.
Ensure the highest standards of guest safety, cleanliness, and service.
Monitor attraction readiness, facility conditions, water chemistry, and operational performance.
Collaborate closely with maintenance teams to address preventative maintenance and equipment needs.
Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and retain lifeguards, lead lifeguards, supervisors, and waterpark team members.
Serve as a coach and mentor while creating a positive, accountable team culture.
Conduct ongoing skills evaluations, emergency response drills, and safety-focused training programs.
Lead all aquatic safety initiatives and emergency response preparedness.
Maintain compliance with aquatic industry standards and applicable regulations.
Promote and model a culture where guest and team member safety always comes first.
Support special events, seasonal programming, community partnerships, and group experiences.
Collaborate with Sales, Food & Beverage, and Operations teams to deliver exceptional experiences for guests and groups.
Assist with promotional activities and community outreach efforts.
Monitor labor costs, operating expenses, and departmental budgets.
Evaluate operational metrics and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Maintain staffing levels that align with seasonal and operational demands.