Aquatics Director

Description

The Shoreview YMCA is seeking a full-time Aquatics Director to provide leadership for aquatics operations, ensuring program readiness, safety and compliance, effective staff management, and high-quality program delivery. The Aquatics Director provides strategic and operational leadership for aquatic programs, fostering a safe, compliant, and well-managed environment for staff, members, and participants.


Applications will be accepted from August 5, 2026 through August 15, 2026. The ideal candidate will be available to begin in late August or early September 2026 and ready to lead a successful transition into the fall programming season.

The salary range for this position starts at $53,000-$58,000. We take into consideration an individual's background and experience in determining salary; therefore, base pay offered may vary considerably depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The compensation package for full-time includes a wide range of benefits (medical, dental, life, disability, and more) as well as generous paid time off and free membership. Part-time benefits will vary.

1. Job Summary:

The Aquatics Director is responsible for managing and implementing all Aquatics programming at assigned branch ensuring quality delivery of programs meeting the needs of the branch and community. The incumbent is responsible for meeting established revenue and participation goals. The incumbent is a member of the branch management team. The incumbent hires, supervises, develops, trains and supports Aquatics team members.


2. Essential Functions:

• Manages the day-to-day Aquatics programming of designated branch.


• Develops a high performing Aquatics team which delivers quality programs and services meeting branch and member needs.


• Implements Aquatics programs, assesses team member's technical abilities, evaluates program results, identifies areas for improvement or development and implements plans to achieve desired goals and objectives in area of expertise.

• Recruits, hires, on boards, trains, develop and supervises Aquatics team members.


• Ensures a high level of customer service which enhances the member, program participant and guest experience and satisfaction.


• Prepares and manages the Aquatics budget to assure revenue and program service goals and expense targets are achieved.


• Delivers Aquatics programs directly to members and participants a portion of the time.

• Ensure 100% continual compliance with the YUSA Aquatic Safety Plan for department.

• Serves as a member of the branch management team performing specific duties which support the overall success of branch operations.

3. Relationships:

This position reports to the Senior Director of Aquatics or the Senior Aquatics Manager. The incumbent works with the Association Healthy Living product team and as a part of the branch team. The incumbent supervises program staff and provides work direction to others.


4. Qualifications:


Required

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in programming (preferably in aquatics) managing budgets to achieve established goals and objectives with particular focus on revenue


• Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience


• Proven ability of staff management and development

• Certifications required within 45 days of hire: BLS, CPR + AED for the Professional Rescuer annually, First Aid, Emergency Oxygen Administration certifications (may not instruct/teach until certifications are current)

• Possess a current accredited and nationally recognized certification in Aquatics within 90 days of hire including Lifeguard and YMCA Swim Lesson certifications and Swim Coach certification (for locations with a swim team).

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge in Aquatics


• Effective verbal and written communication skills

• Good organizational skills

• Proficient computer skills to include Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel

• Ability to manage and deliver programs to a diverse population

Preferred

Degree in Health, Science and Recreation or related field

5. Work Conditions:

• Must be able to remain alert with no lapses of consciousness in a warm environment with air temperatures of 80 degrees or higher.

• Must be able to perform strenuous physical tasks necessary for a water rescue, including swimming quickly, supporting adult body weight while swimming as far as 50 feet, and removing adult body weight from the pool

• Ability to recognize and react calmly and effectively in hazardous/dangerous/emergency situations.

• Ability to perceive, identify and respond to signs of distress.


• Communicate verbally, including projecting voice across distance in normal and loud situations.

• Ability to travel locally to visit branch sites, attend meetings and training.

6. Additional Notes:

This job description represents the major functions of the position but is not intended to be all-inclusive. The incumbent is also responsible for taking direction from the Branch Executive Director or their designee in completing projects or performing duties deemed necessary for the Branch and/or Association's success.