Senior Program Director (aquatics & Health Wellness)

Lead impactful aquatics and wellness programs at the YMCA while inspiring healthy living and strengthening your community.


Job Description

The Senior Program Director (Aquatics & Health & Wellness) provides strategic and operational leadership for aquatics and health and wellness programs in alignment with the YMCA’s mission and community impact goals. This role oversees aquatic operations, wellness centers, group fitness, personal training, and healthy living initiatives to ensure safe, high-quality, and engaging programs that meet community needs.


Reporting to Branch Executive Director, the Senior Program Director leads staff teams, manages operating plans and budgets, ensures regulatory compliance, and fosters partnerships that expands access to healthy living opportunities. This position serves as a cause-driven leader and champion of YMCA values

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Health Promotion, Aquatics, Recreation Management, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Four (4) or more years of progressively responsible experience in a YMCA or other nonprofit organization in aquatics, health & wellness, membership, or related program management.
• Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience, including staff and volunteer leadership.
• Demonstrated success in staff leadership, program development, member/customer service, and building authentic relationships with members, staff, and community partners.
• Experience managing program budgets, marketing and public relations efforts, fundraising initiatives, and cross-sector community collaborations.
• Strong leadership, organizational, analytical, and communication skills, including public speaking and data-informed decision-making.

Essential Functions

• Ensure a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all participants, members, and guests.
• Serves as primary supervisor for the Aquatics and Wellness teams, recruits, hires, trains, develops, schedules, and directs personnel and volunteers as needed. Reviews and evaluates staff performance.
• Develop strategies to motivate staff and achieve goals.
• Oversee daily aquatics operations including staffing, pool scheduling, chemical monitoring, facility maintenance, and cleanliness.
• Lead the delivery of swim lessons, water fitness, swim teams, group fitness, personal training, and wellness programming.
• Conduct and oversee lifeguarding, swim instruction, CPR, First Aid, and safety training as required.
• Establish staffing plans, schedules, and procedures to support safe, consistent, and high-quality program delivery.
• Responsible for maintaining and communicating the schedules for Aquatics, Wellness Center, Group Fitness,
• Swim Lessons, Open Rec Swim, and Gymnasium. Work with the membership team lead and branch leadership to ensure cancellations and updates are communicated in an organized way.
• Analyz participation, safety, staffing, and financial data to evaluate effectiveness and guide planning.
• Assist with marketing and promotion of aquatics and wellness programs in collaboration with Association teams.
• Provide leadership and support to the YMCA Annual Support Campaign and fundraising events.
• Interpret and communicate YMCA mission, policies, and values to staff, participants, volunteers, and partners.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of YMCA focus areas: Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.
• Exercise sound judgment and effectively manage conflict with staff, participants, and partners.
• Participate in branch and Association-wide initiatives and perform other duties as assigned.

Required Certifications

• Completion of all YMCA-required trainings and certifications within designated timeframes.
• Current CPR, AED, and First Aid certifications required.
• Required aquatics and/or wellness certifications relevant to the role (e.g., Lifeguard; ACSM, ACE, NASM, NSCA).
• YMCA Team Leader or Multi-Team Leader certification preferred.
• Lifeguard Instructor certification preferred, or ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire.

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