Aquatics Director
Under the direction of the Associate Executive Branch Director, the Aquatics Director is responsible for creating a transformative YMCA Experience for all program participants, families, members, and staff. This role requires strong leadership and management skills to ensure the delivery of exceptional customer service, high-quality aquatics programs, and the maintenance of clean, safe, and welcoming facilities. The Aquatics Director serves as a subject matter expert and innovator in YMCA aquatics programming, overseeing core areas such as lifeguarding, swim lessons (Parent & Child, Youth, Private, and Adult), family swim, pool rentals, and aquatic-based community initiatives. Programs must consistently reflect community needs while meeting the YMCA's high standards for quality, safety, and impact. This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Aquatics Director is responsible for leading and delivering an exceptional YMCA experience across all assigned aquatics programs and operations. The Aquatics Director will ensure excellence in the following key areas to support a consistent and impactful YMCA Experience: Transformative Experience - The Aquatics Director will create a transformative YMCA Experience that builds loyal participants and families, energizes employees, engages partners, inspires donors, and stimulates program growth and innovation across branches. Performance Achievement
Accountable for the performance of their team. Directly responsible for hiring, coaching, and managing all direct reports and ensuring compliance with association hiring practices for all positions within their organizational structure. Connections with direct reports to ensure progress performance goals/expectations, ability to work well with others and discuss career development. Program Enrollment, Growth and Experience - Drives program enrollment and growth while ensuring a high-quality, safe, and transformative YMCA Experience as demonstrated by program enrollment, reality checks, net-promoter scores, DPH compliance and other experience metrics. Marketing
Executes all aspects of association marketing strategies and campaigns. Regularly promotes YMCA programs through participants and social media. Youth Development
In collaboration with Youth Development, will help to lead and coach staff to ensure high quality programming through the implementation of the YMCA Swim Lesson program. Monitors and engages in family and participant communication. Compliance
Ensures accountability and compliance with all YMCA safety standards and best practices, and regulatory health and safety requirements in the aquatics facilities and ensures active participation and attendance in monthly in-service for both safety and instruction. Provides regular certification training for staff and provides coordination and training support to other Family Centers. Coordinates and documents in-service and certification training within Association. Facility Management
Ensures that the aquatic environment is well maintained, safe and clean, following DPH guidelines and YMCA practices. Ensure program staff conduct daily walk-throughs of facilities. Reports and follows up with staff to address any deficiencies and safety hazards. Fiscal Management
Assists with the development of an annual budget according to association instructions and ensures successful execution of the plan. Works to identify growth opportunities, forecast monthly, and address financial deficiencies on a timely basis. Collaboration
Collaboratively works with direct reports, Branch Executives to ensure a positive experience for children, members and families participating in the programs through an aligned safety and instructional training and in-service experiences for the aquatic team members. Refines, updates, and implements in-service training, reality checks and best practices for the assigned cohort of aquatic departments. Financial Development
Supports family center fundraising campaign, engages staff and families to meet quarterly and annual goals. In addition, the Aquatics Director will participate in all meetings as requested and will be asked to lead association-wide initiatives and other assigned duties. (All position functions are essential to the position.) Leadership Competencies
Position Leadership Level: Team Leader Engaging Community: Builds bridges with others in the community to ensure the Y's work is community-focused and welcoming of all, providing community benefit. Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to Y's cause. Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgment. Fiscal Management: Manages the Y's resources responsibly and sustains the Y's nonprofit business model. Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience. YMCA Team Leader certification preferred. One to two years' related experience preferred (e.g., as an aquatics coordinator or supervisor). Minimum age of twenty-one. Within 30 days of hire, completion of Child Abuse Prevention, Working with Program Volunteers, CPR, First Aid, AED, and Bloodborne Pathogens training. Completion of YMCA Aquatics training and Trainer certifications. Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community. Proficient in Microsoft 365. Work Environment: Safety First! This position requires frequent movement around indoor aquatic facilities, including standing, walking on wet surfaces, climbing ladders, and occasional lifting of equipment up to 50 pounds. It also involves routine administrative tasks such as sitting, computer use, and verbal/written communication. Must be able to work in warm, humid environments with exposure to pool chemicals and varying noise levels, which are typically moderate but may occasionally be loud during peak activity. Strong situational awareness, sound decision-making, and the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure are essential. Must be trained in and follow all child abuse prevention protocols and YMCA risk management procedures, including proper reporting and response to incidents. Flexible schedule required, including availability for early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays to support aquatics operations, programs, and events. Occasional travel may be necessary for certification training, regional meetings, or association-level events. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Under the direction of the Associate Executive Branch Director, the Aquatics Director is responsible for creating a transformative YMCA Experience for all program participants, families, members, and staff. This role requires strong leadership and management skills to ensure the delivery of exceptional customer service, high-quality aquatics programs, and the maintenance of clean, safe, and welcoming facilities. The Aquatics Director serves as a subject matter expert and innovator in YMCA aquatics programming, overseeing core areas such as lifeguarding, swim lessons (Parent & Child, Youth, Private, and Adult), family swim, pool rentals, and aquatic-based community initiatives. Programs must consistently reflect community needs while meeting the YMCA's high standards for quality, safety, and impact. This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Aquatics Director is responsible for leading and delivering an exceptional YMCA experience across all assigned aquatics programs and operations. The Aquatics Director will ensure excellence in the following key areas to support a consistent and impactful YMCA Experience: Transformative Experience - The Aquatics Director will create a transformative YMCA Experience that builds loyal participants and families, energizes employees, engages partners, inspires donors, and stimulates program growth and innovation across branches. Performance Achievement
Accountable for the performance of their team. Directly responsible for hiring, coaching, and managing all direct reports and ensuring compliance with association hiring practices for all positions within their organizational structure. Connections with direct reports to ensure progress performance goals/expectations, ability to work well with others and discuss career development. Program Enrollment, Growth and Experience - Drives program enrollment and growth while ensuring a high-quality, safe, and transformative YMCA Experience as demonstrated by program enrollment, reality checks, net-promoter scores, DPH compliance and other experience metrics. Marketing
Executes all aspects of association marketing strategies and campaigns. Regularly promotes YMCA programs through participants and social media. Youth Development
In collaboration with Youth Development, will help to lead and coach staff to ensure high quality programming through the implementation of the YMCA Swim Lesson program. Monitors and engages in family and participant communication. Compliance
Ensures accountability and compliance with all YMCA safety standards and best practices, and regulatory health and safety requirements in the aquatics facilities and ensures active participation and attendance in monthly in-service for both safety and instruction. Provides regular certification training for staff and provides coordination and training support to other Family Centers. Coordinates and documents in-service and certification training within Association. Facility Management
Ensures that the aquatic environment is well maintained, safe and clean, following DPH guidelines and YMCA practices. Ensure program staff conduct daily walk-throughs of facilities. Reports and follows up with staff to address any deficiencies and safety hazards. Fiscal Management
Assists with the development of an annual budget according to association instructions and ensures successful execution of the plan. Works to identify growth opportunities, forecast monthly, and address financial deficiencies on a timely basis. Collaboration
Collaboratively works with direct reports, Branch Executives to ensure a positive experience for children, members and families participating in the programs through an aligned safety and instructional training and in-service experiences for the aquatic team members. Refines, updates, and implements in-service training, reality checks and best practices for the assigned cohort of aquatic departments. Financial Development
Supports family center fundraising campaign, engages staff and families to meet quarterly and annual goals. In addition, the Aquatics Director will participate in all meetings as requested and will be asked to lead association-wide initiatives and other assigned duties. (All position functions are essential to the position.) Leadership Competencies
Position Leadership Level: Team Leader Engaging Community: Builds bridges with others in the community to ensure the Y's work is community-focused and welcoming of all, providing community benefit. Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to Y's cause. Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgment. Fiscal Management: Manages the Y's resources responsibly and sustains the Y's nonprofit business model. Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience. YMCA Team Leader certification preferred. One to two years' related experience preferred (e.g., as an aquatics coordinator or supervisor). Minimum age of twenty-one. Within 30 days of hire, completion of Child Abuse Prevention, Working with Program Volunteers, CPR, First Aid, AED, and Bloodborne Pathogens training. Completion of YMCA Aquatics training and Trainer certifications. Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community. Proficient in Microsoft 365. Work Environment: Safety First! This position requires frequent movement around indoor aquatic facilities, including standing, walking on wet surfaces, climbing ladders, and occasional lifting of equipment up to 50 pounds. It also involves routine administrative tasks such as sitting, computer use, and verbal/written communication. Must be able to work in warm, humid environments with exposure to pool chemicals and varying noise levels, which are typically moderate but may occasionally be loud during peak activity. Strong situational awareness, sound decision-making, and the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure are essential. Must be trained in and follow all child abuse prevention protocols and YMCA risk management procedures, including proper reporting and response to incidents. Flexible schedule required, including availability for early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays to support aquatics operations, programs, and events. Occasional travel may be necessary for certification training, regional meetings, or association-level events. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.