Director of Wellness & Youth Development

YWCA Central Massachusetts, Inc.; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

YWCA Central Massachusetts, Inc. in Worcester, MA seeks a Director of Wellness & Youth Development to provide strategic and hands-on leadership for fitness, aquatics, wellness, and youth programs, including school-based initiatives.

Lead diverse teams, drive program growth, and strengthen community partnerships to deliver inclusive, youth-centered outcomes. The role requires a Bachelor's degree and a proven track record in program leadership, budgeting, and equity-focused initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in youth development, human services, recreation, health and wellness, education, business, or a related field.
• Demonstrated team leadership and multi-program management experience.
• Direct experience engaging teens.
• Familiarity with fitness, aquatics, or community wellness operations.
• Strong communication, budgeting, and partnership-building skills.
• Commitment to racial, cultural, and gender equity; bilingual preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead program planning, staffing, supervision, evaluation, and daily accountability for wellness and youth programs.
• Oversee fitness, aquatics, classes, and related wellness services; ensure customer service and member satisfaction.
• Manage school-based GPS and youth programs with gender-responsive leadership development and financial literacy.
• Build relationships with schools, parents, volunteers, and community partners; promote equity.
• Establish budgets, enrollment goals, and monitor outcomes; use data to improve services.
• Ensure safeguarding and safety; provide coverage when needed, including summer programming.

Skills

Leadership

Teen engagement

Program management

Budgeting

Community partnerships

Curriculum development

Bilingual

Education

Bachelor's degree in youth development, human services, recreation, health and wellness, education, business, or related field

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: YWCA Central Massachusetts - Worcester, MA, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: 4 Year Degree, Salary Range: $85000.00 - $90000.00Salary, Travel Percentage: Up to 25%, Job Shift: Day, Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services

Position Title: DIRECTOR OF WELLNESS & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Reports to: Chief Program Officer Salary: $85,000-$90,000 Status: Full-time, salaried, on-site Schedule: Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Position Summary

The Director of Wellness & Youth Development provides strategic and hands-on leadership for the YWCA's fitness, aquatics, wellness, and youth development programs, including school-based initiatives. This collaborative, adaptable leader builds strong teams, delivers engaging and inclusive programming, strengthens community partnerships, and drives measurable program growth and outcomes.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead both departments through program planning, staff recruitment, supervision, coaching, evaluation, and daily accountability; directly supervise the Health & Wellness Supervisor, Youth Development Coordinator, and GPS Program Coordinator for middle and high school sites.
• Oversee fitness, strength room, aquatics, classes, and related wellness services; promote exceptional customer service, safe operations, member satisfaction, participation, and retention.
• Lead on-site, school-based GPS, and seasonal youth programs with intentional, gender-responsive leadership development, financial literacy, civic engagement, and social-emotional learning; oversee Transformations, designed for Black middle and high school students, and ensure culturally responsive, trauma-informed curriculum and positive youth engagement.
• Cultivate relationships with schools, parents, caregivers, volunteers, and community partners; represent the YWCA at meetings and events, promote racial and gender equity, and expand equitable access and engagement.
• Establish and monitor budgets, revenue and enrollment goals, attendance, retention, program quality, and measurable outcomes; use data and participant feedback to improve services and support outreach, marketing, and funding efforts.
• Ensure youth safeguarding, aquatics safety, staff adherence to policies, and continuity of services; provide direct coverage when necessary due to vacancies or callouts, including summer programming and Family Fun Fridays only when adequate staffing is unavailable.

Qualifications

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in youth development, human services, recreation, health and wellness, education, business, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience considered. Demonstrated team leadership and multi-program management experience; direct experience engaging teens; familiarity with fitness, aquatics, or community wellness operations. Strong skills in communication, curriculum development, customer service, budgeting, community partnerships, sound judgment, and problem-solving. Commitment to the YWCA mission and racial, cultural, and gender equity. Bilingual skills preferred.