Program Leader Aquatic Operations

Darebin City Council; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Darebin City Council is seeking an Aquatic Operations Program Leader to manage around 50 staff across lifeguard and duty manager teams at Reservoir Leisure Centre. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on delivery to ensure services are safe, compliant and responsive to community needs.

You will drive governance and quality assurance to meet GSPO and Health and Safety requirements, oversee external facility hires, and build strong relationships with community groups and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience leading lifeguard/duty manager teams.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Knowledge of GSPO and health and safety regulations.
• Ability to engage with community groups and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop high performing aquatic teams.
• Oversee external facility hire and stakeholder relations.
• Ensure governance, compliance and quality assurance.

Skills

Team leadership in aquatic settings

Customer service excellence

Stakeholder relationship building

Health and safety compliance

Tools

Pool Plant knowledge

Job description

• Lead lifeguard and duty manager teams to enable effective operational delivery
• Full time (38 hours per week), Competitive Salary
• Located at Reservoir Leisure Centre

About the role

As Aquatic Operations Program Leader, you’ll be responsible for managing around 50 employees between both the lifeguard and duty manager teams at Reservoir Leisure Centre.

The position must ensure that facilities and services conform to the Guidelines to Safe Pool Operation (GSPO), Health Regulations and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. You’ll combine strategic leadership with operational delivery, ensuring services are safe, compliant and responsive to community needs.

You will

• Lead and develop high performing teams, managing both the lifeguard and duty manager teams through collaboration, support, strong customer focus, and continuous improvements
• Oversee effective management of external facility hire and build trusted relationships with external stakeholders
• Ensure governance, compliance and quality assurance, ensuring services and practices meet legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements

About you

• Experience in managing small and large groups in an aquatic setting and an understanding of, and ability to implement personnel practices including equal opportunity and health and safety and training and development.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Knowledge of Pool Plant and general maintenance operations and procedures.
• Ability to build relationships with community groups, clubs and key stakeholders.
• Understanding of RLSSA’s Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation (GSPO).

Why Darebin?

Darebin City Council is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We proudly serve one of the most diverse communities in Victoria, and we know that a diverse workforce strengthens our ability to deliver meaningful outcomes.

We offer

• A supportive team environment
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• A workplace that values collaboration, integrity, respect and creativity
• The chance to make a real difference

Should you need reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process to support your accessibility needs, please get in contact with us and advise how we can best support you.

Pre-employment Checks

Darebin is committed to providing a safe working environment that embraces and values child safety, and thorough ‘Safety Screening’ processes apply.

To work at Darebin City Council, you will be required to supply proof of work rights, a Victorian Employee Working with Children Check and comply with Child Safety standards.

All employees are required to undertake an Australian Criminal History Check and may be required to complete a Functional Health Assessment.