Assistant General Manager Aquatics

Goldfish Swim School; Canton Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Goldfish Swim School is seeking an energetic Assistant General Manager - Aquatics to lead daily lesson flow, develop Swim Instructors and Deck Supervisors, and ensure a safe, high-quality family experience on our pool deck.

This role requires coaching, data-driven leadership, and strong operations focus, with responsibilities spanning staffing, training, evaluations, and enforcing the Emergency Action Plan to uphold the Goldfish standard.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience in aquatics or youth programming.
• Natural coach who gives feedback early and often.
• Comfortable with digital tools and new systems.
• Safety-first mindset with calm leadership under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Keep lessons running on time, on brand, and at the highest level of quality each shift.
• Coach instructors on skill evaluation to ensure readiness and student progression.
• Use attendance and performance data to spot problems and adjust in real time.
• Review performance trends daily and align expectations with staff before shifts.
• Guide new hires from day one through training and onboarding.
• Conduct formal evaluations and advise on hiring and staffing decisions.
• Maintain staff certifications and records for lifeguards and CPR.
• Lead skill-based events and quarterly swim meets to showcase progress.
• Own safety culture on the pool deck and enforce EAP procedures.
• Oversee staffing coverage and make call-out decisions as needed.
• Serve as Manager on Duty, ensuring all areas run to Goldfish standards.

Skills

Team leadership

Coaching

Safety culture

Aquatics program mgmt

Education

Lifeguard Certification

Job description

Job Title: Assistant General Manager - Aquatics

Reports to: General Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Summary

We're looking for an energetic, detail-oriented leader to join our team as an Assistant General Manager - Aquatics. This is a poolside leadership role at its core - you'll be responsible for the daily flow of our lessons, the development of our Swim Instructors and Deck Supervisors, and the safety and experience of every family that walks through our doors. If you're someone who thrives in a fast-moving environment, takes ownership seriously, and gets energy from developing others, this role is built for you.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Keep lessons running on time, on brand, and at the highest level of quality every single shift.
• Coach instructors on accurate, consistent skill evaluation so move-up decisions are based on readiness and every family sees their child moving forward.
• Use attendance and performance data to spot problems before they become patterns and make real-time adjustments when it matters.
• Review performance trends daily and communicate expectations to Instructors, Lifeguards, and Deck Supervisors early so everyone is aligned before the shift begins.
• Guide every new hire from their first day through completed training, so they feel supported and set up for success from the start.
• Conduct formal performance evaluations for Instructors and Deck Supervisors, issue corrective action when needed, and make
  recommendations on hiring and staffing decisions to the GM.
• Track and maintain all staff certifications — lifeguard, CPR, and any other required credentials — ensuring records are current,
  complete, and on file at all times.
• Plan and lead skill-based events and quarterly swim meets that showcase students' progression.
• Own the safety culture on your pool deck, not just the paperwork, but the mindset and behavior of every person on your team.
• Direct and oversee the implementation of the Emergency Action Plan and all safety procedures that pertain to the GSS facility, and train all current staff on the EAP.
• Manage coverage and make real-time staffing decisions when call-outs or gaps occur.
• Serve as the Manager on Duty during assigned shifts - responsible for the full operation of the school, stepping in across aquatics, front desk, and facilities wherever the team needs support and ensuring every area is running at the Goldfish standard.

What We’re Looking For

• 1–2 years of experience in aquatics or youth programming.
• A natural coach who gives feedback early, often, and constructively.
• Comfortable with digital tools and picking up new systems quickly.
• A safety-first mindset with the ability to lead a team calmly under pressure.
• Required to obtain a Lifeguard Certification through Goldfish Swim School, if not already.
• Must be available for evening and weekend shifts.

What Success Looks Like

• Families feel welcomed and cared for from their very first interaction.
• The Deck Staff is supported, coached, and set up to succeed each shift.
• Level progression for students.
• The school feels clean, organized, and lessons run smoothly every day.

Our Culture

At Goldfish Swim School, we believe every child deserves to be safe in and around water. Our team is passionate, people-first, and committed to a golden experience every day. The Assistant General Manager - Aquatics is a key part of making that happen, from the first lesson, to the first level up, and beyond.