Senior Aquatics Director (Whitaker)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Associate Executive Director, the Senior Aquatics Director leads branch aquatics staff in playing an integral role in attracting, engaging and retaining members.   This position plays an integral role in membership acquisition, engagement, aquatic program quality, and retention.  The position will provide supervision to the aquatics staff, giving superior program quality, ensuring all programs support membership, increasing program enrollments, and enhancing the member and participant experience.  This position ensures that their teams operate efficiently and employs a continuous improvement model to meet and/or exceed goals for member/participant satisfaction, financial management and overall growth.  

Critical areas of expertise include: leading others and working in teams, highly organized program management, delivering and managing programs focusing on quality, proven results in growth in programs, successfully overseeing part-time/full-time teams and interviewing, hiring and onboarding associates.

OUR CULTURE: Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day.  We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Program Quality and Growth

• Aquatic Operations > Leads the aquatic operations to ensure membership engagement, acquisition, retention, and continuous improvement to include, but not limited to:
• • Directs and supervises program activities to meet the needs of the community and fulfill YMCA objectives.
  • Establishes and expands aquatic and other program activities within the community in accordance with strategic and operating plans.
  • Develops creative and innovative programs and services in the Aquatic Department to drive membership sales, engagement, and retention.
  • Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with community organizations.
  • Recruits, hires, trains, develops, schedules and directs personnel and volunteers as needed within the aquatics department.
  • Reviews and evaluates associate performance.
  • Develops strategies to motivate staff and achieve goals.
  • Responsible for daily pool operations and compliance to all state, local and YMCA health & safety regulations.
  • Conducts and ensures proper maintenance of pools.  Maintains accurate records for pool operation to include pool chemical checks and routine maintenance.
• Membership Enrollment > Drives program membership enrollment including meeting/exceeding established goals.  
• • This includes: Collaborating with the Association Membership Executive, association marketing team and center leadership teams to execute enrollment and marketing plans for the center.
  • Overseeing the identification and follow-up on opportunities to increase membership and converts prospects to members.
  • Meeting/exceeding revenue goals (net) for new and existing program membership and optimizes the center(s)’ membership
  • Leveraging marketing resources and drives frequent/regular community, web and social media communications and engagement.
  • Assists with identifying and attending community events to promote Y membership.
  • Assists with providing enrollment and marketing support as needed including web and/or social media communications and engagement.
    

Operations/Team Leadership

• Administrative > Manages daily business and administrative functions as it pertains to the aquatics program.
• • Supervises/coaches team and ensures program operations align with member experience, member acquisition, and member administration goals.
  • Directly serves as American Red Cross Branch lead which includes, but not limited to: setting up classes, sending email communications and documentation.
  • Generates and/or analyzes membership, enrollment, and revenue reports to monitor and report on achievement of membership goals.
  • Ensures adherence to all YMCA policies and procedures regarding the safety, health and welfare of members, program participants, guests and staff.
• Strategic Planning > Develop strategies for short- and long-term needs of the program and effectively leads and manages a stable team toward established goals and objectives.  Cultivates program knowledge base for all associates, stressing the importance of program planning, service excellence and community service.
• • Attends best practice sharing meetings with other aquatic leaders across the Y as needed and throughout the industry
  • Joins any required or encouraged professional groups to bring a strong reputation and knowledge base, representing our team as needed in national conferences, training and development opportunities.
  • Participate in successful annual support campaign and provide leadership to staff giving and engagement.  
• Team Leadership > Provides direct supervision and leadership while hiring, developing, motivating and retaining a committed team passionate about the YMCA’s mission, safety and service to members.
• • Provides direct supervision to all direct reports and develops and monitors staff member development plans and training opportunities that promote career growth within the Y.
  • Advocates for association-wide practices and is a source for innovative ways to grow the program membership experience, base, and practices.
  • Supervises and leads program teams to create and maintain meaningful and impactful relationships.
  • Manages associate schedules and payroll for department ensuring efficient use of resources occurs within programs at all times.
  • Ensures compliance with all federal, state and county laws and regulations related to payroll, licensing, child labor laws, etc.
• Manager-on-Duty Shifts > Serves as Manager-on-Duty to provide solution driven outcomes.
• Membership Engagement and Retention > Evaluates member connection and commitment to YMCA programs and services ensuring the member experience is consistent, integrated and aligned to YMCA goals including:
• • Analyzes data about member satisfaction and interests to ensure connection to aquatic programs, services, and other members.
  • Collaborates regularly with center leadership, program operations, and other related teams to ensure the member experience is consistent, integrated and aligned with member needs.
  • Implements relationship development strategies to increase membership engagement and retention. 

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Team Leader):

Mission and Community Oriented: Models and teaches YMCA values. Champions inclusion activities, strategies and initiatives. Ensures high-level services that differentiate the YMCA from other providers. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development and recognition.

People Oriented: Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Builds relationships to create small communities. Effectively tailors communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance and support.

Results Oriented: Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Provides others with frameworks for making decisions. Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team. Cultivates relationships to support fundraising. Effectively creates and manages budgets.

Personal Development Oriented: Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Shares new insights. Facilitates change; models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change.

GOALS AND RESULTS:

• Development of a well-trained, highly competent and informed staff team, in a climate where creative, quality programs thrive
• Development of a wide variety of program services that will meet the needs of the community
• Sound fiscal position and financial growth (earned and unearned revenue)
• A well-served community that understands and values the mission and purpose of the YMCA
• Maintenance of facilities that promotes safe participation and promotes a wholesome environment
• Competence and good judgement is demonstrated in all matters within the scope of the responsibilities assigned

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

· Communication & Influence

· Developing Self & Others

· Engaging Community

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Bachelor's degree in Sports Management, Recreation, Health Sciences, Physical Education or related field or equivalent experience preferred.

· Minimum of five (5) years of aquatic or similar with supervisor experience preferred.

· Experience as an aquatic faculty trainer (Youth Swim Lesson and/or Lifeguard instructor) preferred.

· Experience working in a Y (or similar) 5,000+ unit membership base organization supervising or serving in a leadership role preferred

· Supervision of budget exceeding $500,000 preferred (or equivalent budgeting and/or goal achievement)

· Proven results in increasing program quality and growth through exceptional planning and organizational skills.

· Highly motivated with the ability to meet or exceed goals, cultivate and retain program participants.

· Demonstrated ability to multi-task and adapt to changing contexts and priorities.

· Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills with the ability to identify and leverage relevant data to use in planning and decision-making.

· Strategic planning and tactical execution experience that resulted in achievement of goals

· Excellent personal computer skills and experience with standard business software

· Must be able to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays

· Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community

REQUIRED CERTIIFICATIONS:

· Current Lifeguard Certification, YMCA preferred.  If not YMCA, must convert to YMCA certified within 30 days of employment.

· Current Swim Instructor Certification, YMCA preferred.  If not YMCA, must convert to YMCA certification within 30 days.  

· LGI (IT preferred), SLI (IT Preferred), within 90 days of employment

· CPO within 90 days of employment with no handling of pool chemicals until certification obtained

· Maintain position-specific required certifications.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

· The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.  The employee frequently is required to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.

· The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. 

· Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.

· The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

· Sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions of position and to supervise program activities.

· Hear noises and distress signals in the aquatic environment, including in the water and anywhere around the zone of responsibility.

· Remain alert with no lapses of consciousness.