Aquatics Director

Alexandria Area YMCA; Alexandria (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alexandria Area YMCA is seeking an experienced Aquatics Director to lead our safe, engaging pool programs and water-safety initiatives for children, families and the broader community. This role focuses on people, programs and mission, with an emphasis on leadership, accountability and relationship-building.

You will supervise staff, manage scheduling and certifications, partner with the community to tailor swim lessons and lifeguard services, and oversee budgeting and safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Implement and manage existing high-quality aquatic programs that align with community needs and YMCA standards.
• Expand programs as per strategic plans and ensure safety and quality.
• Supervise aquatics staff: recruitment, hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
• Manage department budget and safety documentation and drills on required timelines.
• Provide pool coverage for lessons or lifeguard shifts as needed and maintain member satisfaction.

Job description

The Alexandria Area YMCA is looking for an established or up-and-coming leader who is passionate about people, programs and our mission to lead our Aquatics department. The Aquatics Director will oversee a safe, welcoming and high-quality aquatics experience for our community, including swim lessons, lifeguarding, water safety and other aquatic programs. This role will recruit, develop and support a strong team while building programs that meet the needs of children, families and individuals throughout our community.

This is a great opportunity for someone ready to grow as a leader while making a meaningful impact. We’re looking for someone who builds relationships, brings energy and accountability to a team, solves problems and sees opportunities to make things better. Most importantly, you understand that Aquatics is about more than the pool—it’s about teaching life-saving skills, building confidence, creating belonging and helping people thrive through the YMCA’s mission.

Essential Functions

• Implement and manage existing high-quality aquatic programs that align with community needs and uphold
• YMCA standards of quality, safety, and care. Expand programs as per strategic plans.
• Supervise aquatics staff, handling recruitment, hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
• Motivate staff to achieve department and organizational goals. Ensures records of staff certifications are current and complete.
• Assist in the development and management of the department budget.
• Complete all required department safety and quality documentation and drills on required timelines. Be an active participant of the Safety Committee.
• Conduct internal safety training for lifeguards and swim instructors.
• Maintain program statistics to assess effectiveness and participation levels.
• Schedule pool facilities.
• Demonstrate strong relationship-building skills in all interactions, promptly addressing member and community inquiries and complaints to enhance customer satisfaction.
• Provide coverage for swimming lessons or lifeguard shifts as needed, ensuring proper pool coverage and offering support as required.