Aquatics Events Director - Wellmark YMCA

Great opportunity to be a part of the YMCA and manage aquatic events at an amazing facility!

Our Wellmark YMCA, a branch of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines association, features the MidAmerican Energy Aquatic center, a 50-meter Indoor Olympic size pool, above-deck spectator seating for 1,200, 25 yard, and 4 lane warm-up and cool down pool. The aquatics center is a part of our 146,000 sq ft YMCA facility which also features a gym, indoor track, racquetball and handball courts, indoor cycling studio and wellness center. It is centrally located, attached to the skywalk system, and within walking distance to many hotels, restaurants and amenities and has hosted many local, regional and national swim events since it opened in 2018.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Y is seeking an experienced Aquatic Events professional who will assist in the development of a strategic plan to re-imagine the planning and delivery of aquatic events and who will be accountable for promotion of the aquatics center facility, event planning and delivery, budget development and management and all areas related to events management.

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. Operating within the policies, procedures and practices of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines, the Aquatic Events Director is responsible for year round aquatic event planning, management, production and delivery. These events include but are not limited to: swim meets, synchronized/artistic swimming shows and water polo tournaments whether hosted or rented.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Develop an overall aquatic events annual strategy and plan with the Executive Director.
2. Manage promotion of the aquatic facility, including advertising, relationship building and bid processes for events according to approved annual strategy and plan.
3. Develop and manage annual budget, conduct budget forecasting, management for the aquatic events department and complex event budgets. Responsible for budgeted revenues and costs.
4. Work with the Executive Director and Association staff team to ensure all swim team revenues are billed and collected appropriately. Contact participants accordingly. 
5. Produce and deliver each event from contract/agreement through ticket sales, site planning, on-site set up and post event analysis across all areas.
6. Maintain, establish and develop stakeholder, sponsor, partner and supplier relationships pre, during and post event to ensure the relationship is maximized and contractual obligations are met.
7. Manage contract negotiation and delivery for all suppliers, stakeholders, sponsors and partners.
8. Create and implement event planning processes and tools to ensure quality, operational efficiency, professionalism and good communication in all areas, including across the event volunteer and staff team (Includes production of Event Management Plans, Risk Assessments, Site Plans, Timing Plans and Volunteer Briefs).
9. Work with Executive Director, Program Directors and Aquatics Leadership year round, with good communication and shared work goals, to provide events that deliver a quality experience for all.
10. Manage small event teams and larger volunteer teams in the delivery of each event. 
11. Day to day leadership of the event programming, including website, social media and reactive PR.
12. Provide safe, inspiring and enjoyable event experience for participants and event partners.
13. Understand and manage practical water safety issues, ensuring that applicable Y Water Safety Plan requirements are implemented.
14. Create communications with swimmers, press and marketing, including copy for website and emails, utilizing direction and support from the association marketing department. 
15. Form reciprocal partnerships with local groups and businesses to help support the Y and aquatic events.
16. Liaising with local councils, venues and other suppliers so that all elements for an event are properly booked, organized and accounted for.
17. Lead continuous improvement, identifying and prioritizing opportunities to develop the event proposition which embraces new trends, keeps the format fresh, responsibly manages the use of association resources and drives new interest.
18. Ensure compliance with all regulatory and local requirements for aquatic safety and events.
19. Proactively anticipate and “seek trouble” to find and deal with problems early on.
20. Hire, train, supervise, develop and evaluate assigned staff team members.
21. Know emergency procedures and be able to demonstrate them to others.
22. Respond to questions and concerns of program participants and families.
23. Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisor or designated staff person.
24. Demonstrate and support the objectives of the Association as embodied in the mission statement and values.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor's degree in recreation, business recreation, sports management, hospitality,  business, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
2. Minimum of two years previous supervision experience
3. Minimum of four years of experience coordinating athletic events, preferably aquatics events, in a fast paced environment.
4. Strong background in swim team and aquatic programming; Knowledge of YMCA and USA Swimming seasons, meet circuits and time standards.
5. Working knowledge of Team/Meet Manager (hy-tek), Team Unify, Colorado Timing Systems, and live streaming software programs.
6. Current USA Swimming Swim Official and YMCA Swim Official certification not required prior to hire. 
7. Personal computer skills, including the use of Microsoft Office or Google Workspace products, required
8. Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certificate is preferred, but not required
9. Current Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED Certification OR equivalent – prior to starting.
10. Intro to Y’s Cause & Culture Online Course - prior to starting if hired.
11. Additional training to be completed within the first 30 days and maintained afterwards

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This job generally operates in both an office and aquatics/natatorium/pool environment, but the mission of the organization may sometimes take them to non-standard workplaces. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers and copiers as well as swimming event technology and equipment.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.   

This position works a non-standard work week and will frequently work evening or weekend hours to accommodate event activities. Travel is primarily local during the business day. Occasionally out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.