Executive Director Aquatics

Ymc; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA is seeking an Executive Director of Aquatics to provide strategic leadership across multiple branches in Forsyth, Stokes and adjacent counties. The role focuses on operational excellence, financial performance, program quality, and staff development while ensuring safety and high-quality programming.

The leader will manage budgets, develop partnerships with schools and community organizations, and oversee training programs and certifications such as ASHI and lifeguard credentials.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in recreation management or related field, or 2+ years leading others.
• Oversee aquatics operations, budgets, community relations, and program development.
• Must possess Lifeguard certification or obtain within six months; Swim Lesson Instructor certs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, management, and monitoring of aquatics budgets to achieve objectives.
• Recruit, onboard, coach, and develop Aquatics Program Directors and other leaders.
• Coordinate scheduling, delivery, and documentation of training and certification courses.
• Cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships with schools and community organizations.
• Oversee ASHI trainings and ensure timely entry and accuracy of records.
• Ensure branch certifications remain current and properly documented.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Staff development

Partnership development

Training & certification

Lifeguard certification

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation management or related field

2+ years of experience leading others

Tools

Daxko operating system

OTIS Training Center

Job description

The Executive Director is accountable for advancing operational excellence, program quality, staff and volunteer development, financial performance, risk management, and community partnerships. This leader establishes the strategic direction for aquatics and drives the consistent implementation of best practices, safety standards, training requirements, and high-quality programming across the association.Reporting to and working in partnership with the Vice President, the Executive Director of Aquatics provides strategic leadership and direct oversight of aquatics operations and programming across all branches in Forsyth and Stokes counties. This position also provides dotted-line leadership and oversight to aquatics operations in Davie, Yadkin, Wilkes, Iredell, and Alleghany counties.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesEssential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:Lead the development, management, and monitoring of aquatics budgets to achieve established financial and operational objectives.Partner with Branch Executive Directors to advance financial-development strategies that strengthen and expand aquatics programming.Ensure aquatics training and certification courses are scheduled consistently, delivered effectively, documented accurately, and processed within required timelines.Recruit, onboard, coach, and develop Aquatics Program Directors and other aquatics leaders across the association.Partner with aquatics leadership and marketing teams to ensure consistent, timely, and effective promotion of aquatics programs and services.Monitor and evaluate program participation, performance, quality, and effectiveness across all branches; use findings to strengthen programming and increase community impact.Cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships with schools, community organizations, and other agencies to expand access to aquatics programming.Collaborate with Branch Executive Directors and aquatics leaders to coordinate facility usage for members, programs, classes, and special events while preventing scheduling conflicts.Oversee all American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI) training courses through the Online Training and Information Center (OTIS), ensuring that classes and participant records are entered accurately and processed within required timelines.Ensure all branch-level credentials-including American Safety & Health Institute, lifeguard, swim-lesson, water-fitness, and other association-required certifications-remain current, properly documented, and compliant with established standards.Ensure required staff meetings and in-service trainings are conducted consistently and that complete, accurate documentation is maintained.Conduct routine site visits to assess the quality and effectiveness of in-service trainings and verify that instructors are delivering training in accordance with association standards.Partner with local school systems and the Safety Around Water Coordinator to ensure all Safety Around Water sessions are properly scheduled, delivered effectively, and operated in accordance with grant requirements.Provide leadership and accountability to staff responsible for swim-lesson programming, ensuring that all program-development and implementation deadlines are met, including:Development and distribution of program flyers.Accurate and timely entry of programs and sessions into the Daxko operating system.Bachelor's degree in recreation management or a related field, or a minimum of two years of experience leading others.Demonstrated ability to oversee aquatics operations, including volunteer development, staff supervision, budget development and monitoring, community and public relations, and program development.Must possess strong swimming skills and successfully complete the required Lifeguard certification within the first six months of employment. The required skills assessment will be administered by the YMCA.Swim Lesson Instructor and Certified Pool Operator certifications are preferred at hire; must be obtained within the first six months of employment.Proven ability to cultivate authentic relationships and develop, strengthen, and sustain strategic partnerships with schools, community organizations, and other key stakeholders to expand aquatics programming and community impact.For internal candidates, YMCA Team Leader certification is preferred. Consideration will also be given to candidates actively pursuing YMCA Multi-Team Leader certification.