Associate Executive Director, Swim Operations

The Y in Central Maryland; Maryland; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Competitive pay

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental and vision benefits

Dependent care FSA

Y retirement fund contributions

Training and development programs

Job summary

The Y in Central Maryland is seeking an Associate Executive Director of Swim Operations to strengthen swim operations, leadership capacity, program quality, and financial sustainability across the Association. You will partner with Center Executive Directors and Swim Directors to implement consistent systems, training, and best practices for swim operations, safety, and programming.

Lead cross-center initiatives, recruit and develop swim leaders, and ensure high-quality programming while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in recreation, business administration, nonprofit management, sports management, or related field (preferred).
• Demonstrated experience in swim operations, pool management, swim programming, or related environment.
• Strong knowledge of pool safety, regulatory compliance, and operational best practices.
• Previous leadership experience with responsibility for developing teams and coaching leaders.
• Experience managing budgets, revenue goals, program utilization, staffing models, or other operational performance measures.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic and functional partner to Center Executive Directors and Swim Directors, providing expertise, coaching, tools, and resources to strengthen center-level swim leadership and operations.
• Assess center needs, leadership capacity, staffing, program performance, and growth opportunities to provide targeted support.
• Develop training, onboarding, continuing education, and leadership development resources for Swim Directors.
• Build the capacity of center swim leaders to independently lead strong, sustainable departments.
• Establish and support Association-wide standards for safe, reliable pool operations and regulatory compliance.
• Analyze safety, quality, and operational data to identify trends and implement improvements.
• Develop association-wide strategies for lifeguard recruitment, onboarding, certification, and scheduling.
• Support swim Directors in building fully staffed, well-led teams with clear safety and engagement expectations.
• Establish standards for swim lessons, private lessons, swim teams, and other programming.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Communication

Coaching

Change management

Travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in recreation, business administration, nonprofit management, sports management, or related field

Job description

Overwhelmingly, people who decide they want to be a part of the Y in Central Maryland tell us they do so because it reflects their values and a conscious decision, they’ve made about how they choose to live their lives. The happiest and most fulfilled Y associates are those who are motivated to help others and who want to be a part of something larger than themselves. If this speaks to your heart, then we invite you to join our team. Be a part of a charitable, mission-driven organization that works for individual and community well-being for all, for a better us.

At the Y in Central Maryland, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth. Enjoy flexible schedules, competitive pay, and generous paid time off, alongside medical, dental and vision benefits, as well as dependent care FSA. We offer a generous employer contribution to the Y retirement fund, and opportunities for career advancement. Our commitment to fostering a positive work environment means you'll have access to training and development programs that align with our mission to empower individuals and strengthen communities. Join us and bring your passion to a fulfilling career where you can truly make a difference!

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Executive Director of Swim, the Associate Executive Director of Swim Operations serves as a strategic and functional partner to Y Family Centers, strengthening swim operations, leadership capacity, program quality, and financial sustainability across the Association. In partnership with Center Executive Directors and Swim Directors, this position develops consistent systems, standards, tools, training, and best practices across Swim Operations & Safety, Swim Associates & Certifications, and Programming . The role assesses center needs and provides targeted support, coaching, and resources to strengthen sustainable swim operations and center-level leadership.

Essential Functions

Leadership Capacity & Center Support

• Serve as a strategic and functional partner to Center Executive Directors and Swim Directors, providing expertise, coaching, tools, and resources to strengthen center-level swim leadership and operations.
• Assess center needs, leadership capacity, staffing, program performance, and growth opportunities to provide targeted support based on center needs and operational stability.
• Develop training, onboarding, continuing education, and leadership development resources that strengthen Swim Director effectiveness, leadership pipelines, succession planning, and associate retention.
• Build the capacity of center swim leaders to independently lead strong, sustainable departments.

Pool Operations & Safety

• Establish and support consistent Association-wide standards for safe, reliable, and high-quality pool operations, including water quality, chemical management, documentation, emergency readiness, cleanliness, and regulatory compliance.
• Partner with center leadership and Property teams to identify operational risks, recurring facility concerns, and barriers to maintaining safe and consistent pool operations.
• Analyze safety, quality, and operational data to identify trends and implement training, corrective action, and system improvements.

Guards & Team Leadership

• Develop Association-wide strategies and best practices for lifeguard recruitment, onboarding, certification, scheduling, retention, development, and deployment.
• Support Swim Directors in developing fully staffed, well-led teams with clear expectations for safety, engagement, cleanliness, and accountability.
• Strengthen Head Guard and other swim leadership pipelines and identify systemic staffing barriers related to scheduling, certification, training, compensation, career pathways, and retention.

Lessons, Programming & Growth

• Establish and continuously improve Association standards for swim lessons, private lessons, swim teams, water safety initiatives, and other swim programming.
• Partner with Swim Directors to evaluate enrollment, schedules, capacity, utilization, instructor availability, participant progression, retention, and opportunities for program growth.
• Develop and scale effective practices for participant recruitment, conversion, and engagement while ensuring consistent implementation of Association swim curriculum and quality standards.
• Use program data and participant/member feedback to identify opportunities to improve program quality and the overall swim experience.

Business & Financial Performance

• Partner with Center Executive Directors and Swim Directors to strengthen the financial sustainability and performance of swim operations.
• Analyze revenue, participation, capacity, utilization, pricing, payroll, staffing efficiency, and other key performance indicators to identify opportunities and barriers.
• Support centers in developing measurable action plans for revenue growth, expense management, participation, staffing, and program optimization.
• Develop consistent performance measures and identify Association-wide trends to inform strategies related to pricing, staffing models, program structure, and resource allocation.

Systems, Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Identify, document, and scale best practices, operating procedures, tools, templates, and resources that create consistent and sustainable swim operations across Y Family Centers.
• Conduct program and operational assessments to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Facilitate cross-center collaboration and use operational, financial, quality, safety, staffing, and participant experience data to identify trends and prioritize improvement efforts.
• Partner with the Executive Director of Swim to pilot, evaluate, refine, and scale new strategies and operating models.

Organizational Leadership

• Foster a positive, inclusive, and motivating environment for associates, members, participants, and families while maintaining effective communication with center and Association leadership.
• Support achievement of Association goals and ensure adherence to applicable operational policies, procedures, budgets, and reporting requirements.
• Incorporate the YMCA character values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility, adhere to the Y in Central Maryland Code of Conduct, and advance the Y's mission throughout the Association and community.
• Attend and actively participate in meetings and Association initiatives and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in recreation, business administration, nonprofit management, sports management, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience considered.
• Demonstrated experience in swim operations, pool management, swim programming, or a related environment, with strong knowledge of pool safety, regulatory compliance, and operational best practices.
• Previous leadership experience with responsibility for developing teams, coaching leaders, implementing operational standards, and driving organizational or program performance.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze program, staffing, operational, and financial data and translate findings into actionable strategies.
• Experience managing budgets, revenue goals, program utilization, staffing models, or other operational performance measures preferred.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, coaching, problem-solving, and change-management skills, with the ability to influence and support leaders across multiple locations.
• Ability to travel regularly among Y Family Centers and work a flexible schedule based on operational needs.
• Current Certified Pool Operator (CPO) or Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) certification, or ability to obtain within a designated timeframe.
• Ability to obtain LGIT (Lifeguard Instructor Training) and YSLIT (Y Swim Lesson Instructor Training).
• Current lifeguard, CPR/AED, First Aid, and other applicable safety certifications, or ability to obtain within a designated timeframe, as required by the Association.

An offer of employment is contingent upon receipt of satisfactory results to meet minimum requirements for the position. They may include a background check, drug test, driver’s license record, CPS, and/or Criminal Background check.

Additional driver’s license check, CPS, Criminal Background check, alcohol and/or drug testing may be required to be processed in the future in order to meet and maintain the minimum requirements of this position.

The Y in Central Maryland provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment. Moreover, the Y is firmly committed to celebrating and achieving diversity and inclusion in all we do. We strive to be an anti-racist organization and expect all associates to treat others with respect, kindness and dignity, at all times. Thank you for considering working for the Y in Central Maryland. If being a part of our cause feels right for you, we hope you will join us.

All Y associates agree to abide by The Code of Conduct with Youth that sets clear expectations for associates and volunteers to ensure a safe and respectful environment for young people. It emphasizes treating youth with respect and fairness, avoiding inappropriate physical or verbal interactions, and adhering to established standards of affection. The policy strictly prohibits any form of abuse, bullying, or harassment and mandates the reporting of suspected mistreatment. Additionally, associates and volunteers must complete training on child abuse prevention and comply with legal reporting requirements to safeguard youth.