Swim School Program Manager

Carlile-Swim-Operations-Pty-Ltd; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Carlile Swim is seeking a Swim School Manager to lead our Castle Cove centre in Sydney. You will oversee people, operations and performance, coaching your Program Manager and Customer Experience Manager to drive enrolments, retention and high-quality teaching.

Bring proven leadership, coaching and relationship-building skills to foster a positive, safe and high-performing team culture across staff and families. This hands-on role keeps you connected to daily operations and community impact.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading and developing teams.
• Experience managing daily operations, staffing, rosters and performance.
• Confidence coaching leaders, providing feedback and supporting team development.
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to build positive relationships.
• Commercial awareness and experience working towards operational and financial targets.
• Strong organisation, problem solving and decision making skills.
• A collaborative, proactive approach with a genuine commitment to safety and team culture.
• Experience within aquatics, swim schools, recreation or a similar environment will be highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop your centre leadership team and wider swim school team.
• Create a positive, inclusive and supportive team culture where people feel valued and empowered.
• Coach and support your Program Manager and Customer Experience Manager to lead their teams confidently.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance and ongoing team development.
• Drive centre performance across enrolments, swimmer retention, lesson numbers and operational targets.
• Champion consistent, high quality delivery of the Carlile Swim program.
• Oversee rostering, staffing, budgets and day to day centre operations.
• Build strong relationships with families and ensure exceptional customer experiences.
• Use feedback, insights and performance results to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Lead by example, remaining actively involved in centre operations and supporting your team.
• Champion safeguarding, workplace safety and a positive team environment.

Skills

People leadership

Operations management

Team development

Customer service

Staff rostering

Safety compliance

Job description

Are you a people focused leader who loves developing teams, creating great customer experiences and making a real difference in your community?

Carlile Swim is looking for a Swim School Manager to lead our Castle Cove centre in Sydney.

Lead a swim school with a remarkable history, from training Olympic champions to helping generations of local children become safer, more confident swimmers.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a swim school, develop and empower your leadership team and create an environment where team members, swimmers and families can thrive.

You will lead a diverse team, champion high quality teaching and exceptional family experiences, and drive the ongoing performance and success of your centre.

About the Role

Reporting to the Area Lead, you will oversee the people, operations and performance of the swim school.

Working closely with your Program Manager and Customer Experience Manager, you will provide leadership, coaching and support while ensuring the centre operates safely, efficiently and to the highest standard.

This is a hands on leadership role where you will remain connected to your team, families and daily centre operations.

In This Role, You Will

• Lead, mentor and develop your centre leadership team and wider swim school team
• Create a positive, inclusive and supportive team culture where people feel valued and empowered
• Coach and support your Program Manager and Customer Experience Manager to lead their teams confidently
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance and ongoing team development
• Drive centre performance across enrolments, swimmer retention, lesson numbers and operational targets
• Champion consistent, high quality delivery of the Carlile Swim program
• Oversee rostering, staffing, budgets and day to day centre operations
• Build strong relationships with families and ensure exceptional customer experiences
• Use feedback, insights and performance results to identify opportunities for improvement
• Lead by example, remaining actively involved in centre operations and supporting your team
• Champion safeguarding, workplace safety and a positive team environment

About You

We are looking for an experienced, people focused leader who enjoys developing others, takes ownership and knows how to bring out the best in a team.

You will bring:

• Proven experience leading and developing teams
• Experience managing daily operations, staffing, rosters and performance
• Confidence coaching leaders, providing feedback and supporting team development
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to build positive relationships
• Commercial awareness and experience working towards operational and financial targets
• Strong organisation, problem solving and decision making skills
• A collaborative, proactive approach with a genuine commitment to safety and team culture

Experience within aquatics, swim schools, recreation or a similar environment will be highly regarded.

Carlile Swim is Australia's leading swim school, helping children become safer, more confident swimmers for life across our growing national network.

Founded by swimming pioneers Forbes and Ursula Carlile, we have been shaping the learn to swim industry for 80 years through exceptional teaching, innovation and an uncompromising commitment to child safety.

Because swimming is not optional. It is essential.

What We Value

At Carlile Swim, we lead with PACE — Passionate, All In, Connected and always Evolving.

We care deeply, take ownership, work together and keep learning and improving.

• Lead a centre with a proud history within Australia's leading swim school network
• Make a meaningful difference to children, families and your local community
• Develop and empower your team with support from an experienced leadership network
• Access ongoing professional development, career opportunities and staff benefits

Carlile Swim is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All appointments are subject to appropriate screening and safeguarding requirements.

Company Overview

Carlile Swim is a nationally recognised swim school network with more than 150 years of combined experience and over 30 locations across Australia. Now united under one brand, we are committed to leading the industry and enriching the communities we serve through exceptional swim education and water safety.