Senior Aquatics Director

Description

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Under the guidance of the Association Operations Aquatics Director and in alignment with the Merrimack Valley YMCA’s goals and objectives, the Andover/North Andover Senior Aquatics Director is responsible for overseeing all programs, activities, and daily operations within the Senior Aquatics Department. This includes managing three pools, a splash pad, and a sauna. Additionally, the Senior Aquatics Director will oversee a growing swim lesson program, serving over 700 participants monthly. The Senior Aquatics Director will directly oversee a robust aquatic staff including lifeguards and instructors; administer a comprehensive staff development program; maintain a safe aquatic environment; develop and implement programs; have fiscal accountability; and participate as a member of the leadership staff team. The Director will help champion a culture of service excellence and support and advocate the mission and values of the YMCA.

All employees are mandated reporters and will adhere to the requirements outlined in the Child Abuse Prevention Policy and Procedures. Per our commitment to a safe environment and youth protection, you must attend the required CAP and Safety/Risk Management Trainings each year.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under the direction of the Association Operations Director of Aquatics, the Senior Aquatics Director is responsible daily for creating a transformative Y Experience for our program participants, families, members, and staff
• The Senior Aquatics Director must be able to lead and manage people to execute exemplary customer service, high-quality programs, and clean, well-maintained spaces
• Directly supervise Ft Assistant Aquatics Director, senior and Head Staff.
• Innovation, program, and staff development will be key areas of growth for the Senior Aquatics Director through the learning and implementation of Design Thinking
• The Senior Aquatics Director will create a transformative Y Experience that builds loyal participants and families, energizes employees, engages partners, inspires donors and stimulates program growth and innovation across branches.

The Senior Aquatics Director will ensure success in the following areas of responsibility to support a strong Y Experience:

• Performance Achievement – Ultimately 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
• Conducts quarterly connections with senior direct reports to ensure progress, 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 Y 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 Y programs through participants and social media
• Youth Development – Leads and coaches 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 at the assigned branch(es) and provides coordination and training support too other branches
• Coordinates and documents in-service and certification training within cohort of branches
• Facility Management - Ensures that the aquatic environment is well maintained, safe and clean, following DPH guidelines and YMCA practices
• Ensure program staff are conducting 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, forecasting on a monthly basis, and address financial deficiencies on a timely basis
• Collaboration – Collaboratively works with Association Aquatics Team 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
• Shares information and learning with Association Operations Director of Aquatics.
• Financial development –Supports branch fundraising campaign, engages staff and families to meet quarterly and annual goals
• In addition, the Senior Aquatics Director will participate in all meetings as requested and will be asked to lead association-wide initiatives and other assigned duties
• The Senior Aquatics Director will be a trainer in both Y Swim Lessons (YSL) and Y Lifeguarding (YLG)
• Operating practices and systems are in place and consistently implemented across the assigned cohort
• Program enrollment and growth
• Program area cleanliness
• YMCA Safety Practices and DPH requirements
• Overall member, youth, and family experience
• The Senior Aquatics Director will align with association priorities and coordinate training, build in-service training and provide resources to aquatic directors in the designated region
• Timely action planning is in place for individual programs that have performance concerns
• Is visible to local community-based partners and the Y is seen as a catalyst for positive change
• Full-time staff have a development plan and are making progress toward goals
• Identification of development opportunities for their direct reports and high-potential leaders
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to frequently interact with other staff and members
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.?
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• Some weekend and evening work is expected, with the flexibility needed to be available if needed for early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Travel will be necessary when attending training or meetings

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• The Senior Aquatics Director must be a subject matter expert and innovator in the core programs of the Y including but not limited to: Lifeguarding; Parent & Child, Preschool, Youth, Private, and Adult Lessons; Family Swim Programs; Water Fitness; all Rentals and Pool Parties; Swim Programs that reflect community needs and maintain the YMCA’s high standards of quality, safety, and caring
• This includes enrollment, net-promoter scores, Y safety standards, DPH compliance and other experience metrics
• A collaborative and strong working relationship between branch operations and Aquatics
• A minimum of 3 years of experience as an aquatics director
• Must have a demonstrated record of accomplishment in the areas of Aquatics, program growth, YMCA Safety standards, DPH compliance, fiscal management and staff development
• YMCA Lifeguarding and YSL certification required or willing to obtain within first 3 months. LGI, YSLT and CPO preferred but not required-willing to obtain within first 6 months.
• If Red Cross certified, the employee must obtain YMCA certification within 3 months of hire
• Proven track record in driving solid fiscal management
• Programs must be achieving key metrics and producing meaningful qualitative results including enrollment, net-promoter scores, DPH compliance and other experience metrics
• Superior Communication skills - both written and verbal
• Must have a thorough understanding of the nature of the YMCA movement, volunteers and staff in the accomplishment of the YMCA goals, objectives and mission in the community
• Possess a concern for detail and accuracy and could delegate responsibility
• Must be highly motivated and possess a positive attitude towards the YMCA, character development and our mission.
• Experience in and/or willingness to learn and use current industry and job related technologies including Microsoft and Google suites, Y-Link and the LCDC.
• At least two years’ experience in instruction and management of a wide variety of Aquatics programs and pool maintenance
• Experience supervising staff and developing pool schedules and class schedules, as well as good member relations and staff relation skills
• Must be aware of YMCA movement and trends in the aquatic field and must continue to enhance his/her knowledge of YMCA Aquatic Management and certifications

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must meet physical requirements for aquatic certifications, including swimming, lifting, and responding to emergencies.
• Ability to maintain alertness for extended periods and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Significant on-deck time for lifeguarding, onboarding, training, and teaching swim lessons.

Salary : $60,000 - $65,000