Program Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Compensation

$24.00 - $30.00/hour

Full-Time, hourly

Summary

Are you passionate about aquatics, leadership, and creating exceptional experiences for swimmers and families? Premier Swim Academy is seeking a Program Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our instructional pool deck. This hands-on leadership role is responsible for ensuring lesson quality, swimmer safety, instructor performance, and the development of our instructional leadership team.

As the Program Manager, you'll serve as the operational leader of the wet side of the facility, partnering closely with the General Manager and Pool Lead to maintain a safe, organized, and high-performing environment. You'll be a visible presence on deck, coaching staff in real time, upholding Premier Swim Academy standards, and helping develop the next generation of aquatics leaders.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all on-deck operations, ensuring lessons are delivered safely, professionally, and according to Premier Swim Academy curriculum standards.
• Observe lessons regularly and provide coaching, feedback, and development opportunities for instructors and Deck Leads.
• Maintain a safe pool environment by enforcing safety protocols, responding to incidents, and ensuring all required documentation is completed accurately and promptly.
• Partner with the Administrative Manager to build and manage instructor and Deck Lead schedules throughout the year while maintaining staffing efficiency.
• Manage day-of staffing adjustments, coverage gaps, and operational challenges with minimal disruption to programming.
• Lead regular Deck Lead in-service trainings and support the onboarding, coaching, and development of instructional staff.
• Monitor instructor certifications and training records to ensure compliance at all times.
• Maintain deck organization, lesson flow, swimmer-to-instructor ratios, and overall operational excellence during all hours of operation.
• Participate in candidate interviews and provide hiring recommendations to the General Manager.
• Foster a positive, accountable, and team-oriented culture that supports both staff development and exceptional customer experiences.

Requirements

Minimum

• 18 years of age or older.
• Previous experience as a swim instructor, lifeguard, Deck Lead, Instructional Lead, or similar aquatics role.
• Strong knowledge of swim lesson instruction and water safety principles.
• Ability to lead and coach a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Current or ability to obtain and maintain:
• CPR/First Aid Certification
• Lifeguard Certification
• Swim Instructor Certification
• StarGuard LGI Certification

Preferred

• Previous experience supervising or leading staff.
• Experience in aquatics leadership, swim school operations, or deck supervision.
• Experience training, mentoring, or coaching instructors.
• Familiarity with scheduling, staffing, and operational planning.
• Internal experience as a Pool Lead, Deck Lead, or Instructional Lead strongly preferred.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Work is performed primarily on an active pool deck in both indoor and outdoor aquatic environments.
• Must be able to stand, walk, bend, reach, and remain active for extended periods.
• Ability to enter the water when needed to support instruction, safety, or staff development.
• Must be able to lift and move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Exposure to pool chemicals, varying weather conditions, heat, humidity, and water environments.
• Requires visual and auditory ability to monitor swimmers, staff, and pool activity effectively.

Benefits

Full-time employees are eligible for:

• Paid time off (PTO)
• 401K
• Healthcare, vision, and dental coverage

Our company is an at-will employer. This means that, regardless of any provision, either you or the company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause for notice.

Our company is committed to equal employment opportunities. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis [“protected class”] including, but not limited to: race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability; citizenship status; uniform service member status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.