Director, Swim School

92nd Street Y; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

92NY Swim School Director role leads the development, expansion, and operational excellence of Learn-to-Swim, private lessons, and camp programs.

The position manages lifeguard staffing, payroll, and aquatics technology systems, ensuring safety, compliance, and customer service while driving revenue and program profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred with relevant certifications in lifeguarding and water safety.
• 5+ years of management experience in an aquatic setting.
• Ability to develop Aquatics curriculum with staff collaboration.
• Strong knowledge of program development, safety, and customer service.
• Experience with Salesforce, Traction Rec or similar membership systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee administration of the Swim School, Learn-to-Swim and certification programs.
• Recruit, train and develop water safety instructors and evaluate performance.
• Create Swim School schedules and ensure safe pool management staffing.
• Grow profitable offerings and drive revenue goals for programs and private lessons.
• Coordinate with Marketing to promote the Swim School brand and communications.
• Ensure staff certifications remain current and maintain safety culture.

Skills

Management experience

MS Office

Verbal & written communication

Staff training

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Lifeguard First Aid/CPR

Water Safety Instructor

Certified Lifeguard Instructor

W.S.I. Trainer certification

Tools

Salesforce

Traction Rec

Tessitura

Payroll software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Summary

The Director of Swim School will focus on developing and expanding the 92NY Swim School including the optimization, customer experience and participant retention of Learn-to-Swim classes, private lessons and summer camp program delivery. The main goal of this position is to maximize program participation, program development, generate revenue and achieve divisional profitability. They are responsible for the day-to-day execution and oversight of aquatics programming and operations at 92NY and including the Swim School, private instruction, certification programs, and seasonal camp aquatics. This position manages all aspects of lifeguard staffing (including per diem), ensures compliance with all Department of Health regulations, processes payroll, and serves as the departmental lead for aquatics technology systems.

Reporting to the Director of Aquatics, this role plays a key part in supporting department goals around safety, compliance, staff development, customer service, and program success. The Director leads through staff engagement, operational excellence, and a strong focus on safety culture and system efficiency.

Job Responsibilities Include

• Oversee the supervision, strategic planning and administration of the 92NY Swim School, Learn-to-Swim and certification programs; develop, expand and evolve the Swim School structure and certification offerings.
• Direct the recruitment, training and professional development of water safety instructors; motivate, observe and evaluate performance on an ongoing basis, conduct formal evaluations on the approved 92NY schedule, and initiate disciplinary action up to and including termination when necessary.
• Develop staff accountability, performance standards and objective tools for assessing performance.
• Create, implement and delegate responsibilities for Swim School schedules for both patrons and water safety instructors, ensuring appropriate staffing for program delivery and safe pool management.
• Evaluate aquatic classes and private lesson offerings, identify opportunities for profitable growth, and direct instructors to achieve established program and private lesson revenue goals.
• Support seasonal restructuring of the in-city 92NY camp swim program and operations, and assist with creating, implementing and maintaining seasonal camp schedules.
• Coordinate with Marketing and Sales to build the Swim School brand through advertising, targeted communications and social media.
• Ensure staff certifications remain valid in collaboration with Aquatics management.
• Develop parent guidance communications and provide electronic report cards to all group swim lesson participants; implement report cards at HKC.
• Ensure prompt, accurate and thorough responses and follow-through on patron inquiries and complaints, and guide instructors in resolving participant conflicts.
• Use patron feedback and staff training to drive continuous improvement and program excellence.
• Process biweekly payroll.
• Establish a professional work environment, ensure facility rules are followed, and positively communicate and support May Center management decisions.
• Handle and report emergencies, ensure incident and accident reports are forwarded appropriately, and ensure staff follow all required procedures.
• Serve as an emergency instructor or lifeguard when needed.
• Serve as the aquatics lead for Salesforce, Traction Rec, UPACE and Tessitura

Experience, Education, & Skills Desired

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Advanced certifications; including but not limited to Lifeguard First Aid/CPR0 Certifications, Water Safety Instructor.
• Certified Lifeguard Instructor and Water Safety Instructor Trainer preferred. If not certified and selected, must obtain certification within the first-year of employment. 92NY will cover the costs of those certifications.
• Certified Pool Operator preferred not required
• 5+ years of management experience in an aquatic setting required.
• Ability to conduct staff training and safety sessions, develop and implement 92NY Aquatics curriculum in collaboration with all staff, and assist with and teach Swim School classes as needed.
• Demonstrated knowledge of 92NY Aquatics classes and camps, with the ability to explain and sell offerings efficiently as well as recommend appropriate class advancement.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and payroll software; experience with Salesforce, Traction Rec or other membership and community-based software systems.
• Excellent verbal, written communication and presentation skills, including the ability to respond professionally to inquiries and complaints involving sensitive or confidential matters.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, with the ability to organize and prioritize phone calls and emails.
• Ability to collaborate with staff to resolve issues, work effectively as part of a team and support other Aquatics Department needs as required.

Work Environment & Requirements

40/hours week; Sunday-Thursday.

Compensation Range

$70,000 - $75,000

The actual compensation offered will be based on a number of factors including, but not limited to the qualifications of the applicant, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.