Gameday Bay Indoor Waterpark Manager

S&L Corporate Office; Fulton Heights (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Gameday Bay, in Canton, Ohio, seeks a Waterpark Manager to lead operations, safety, and programming ahead of a Spring 2027 opening. You will recruit and train lifeguards and staff, establish procedures with the General Manager, and ensure exceptional guest experiences from day one.

You will drive safety culture, manage budgets, and collaborate with Sales, F&B, and Operations to deliver engaging events and programming while preparing the facility for a successful grand opening.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of leadership experience in aquatics, waterparks, or recreation.
• Experience supervising and developing teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Able to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak periods.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required certifications.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operation of the indoor waterpark.
• Ensure guest safety, cleanliness, and service standards.
• Monitor readiness, water chemistry, and operational performance.
• Collaborate with maintenance teams for planned maintenance and equipment.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Safety management

Communication

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Hospitality, Sports Management, or related field

Job description

Canton, Ohio Opening Spring 2027 | Hiring Fall 2026

Are you ready to help build something from the ground up? Make a splash before we open our doors.

Gameday Bay is preparing to make waves in Canton, Ohio with an exciting new indoor waterpark experience opening in Spring 2027. We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, and safety-focused Waterpark Manager to join our leadership team ahead of opening and play a key role in bringing the vision to life.

Due to the extensive lifeguard recruitment, certification, and training responsibilities associated with this role, we anticipate hiring this position in October/November 2026, allowing ample time to build and train a best-in-class aquatic team before opening day.

This is a unique opportunity for an aquatic professional who enjoys leading teams, developing talent, creating memorable guest experiences, and setting the standard for safety and operational excellence.

Why Join Gameday Bay?

As the Waterpark Manager, you won't simply inherit an operation. You'll help create one along with S&L Hospitality and the General Manager.

You will be responsible for recruiting, developing, certifying, and leading the team that will deliver exceptional guest experiences from day one. You'll work alongside the General Manager and other department leaders to establish operating procedures, launch programming, build a strong safety culture, and help prepare the facility for a successful grand opening.

What You'll Do

Lead Waterpark Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the indoor waterpark.
• Ensure the highest standards of guest safety, cleanliness, and service.
• Monitor attraction readiness, facility conditions, water chemistry, and operational performance.
• Collaborate closely with maintenance teams to address preventative maintenance and equipment needs.

Build and Lead an Exceptional Team

• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and retain lifeguards, lead lifeguards, supervisors, and waterpark team members.
• Serve as a coach and mentor while creating a positive, accountable team culture.
• Conduct ongoing skills evaluations, emergency response drills, and safety-focused training programs.

Champion Safety

• Lead all aquatic safety initiatives and emergency response preparedness.
• Maintain compliance with aquatic industry standards and applicable regulations.
• Promote and model a culture where guest and team member safety always comes first.

Create Memorable Guest Experiences

• Support special events, seasonal programming, community partnerships, and group experiences.
• Collaborate with Sales, Food & Beverage, and Operations teams to deliver exceptional experiences for guests and groups.
• Assist with promotional activities and community outreach efforts.

Manage Department Performance

• Monitor labor costs, operating expenses, and departmental budgets.
• Evaluate operational metrics and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Maintain staffing levels that align with seasonal and operational demands.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Minimum three years of leadership experience in aquatics, waterparks, or recreation.
• Experience supervising and developing teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak operating periods as business demands require.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required certifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing an aquatic facility, waterpark, municipal pool, recreation center, or similar operation.
• Experience leading aquatic events, programming, or special events.
• Working knowledge of pool operations, water chemistry, and aquatic safety programs.
• Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Hospitality, Sports Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Certifications

The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain all required certifications, including:

• Lifeguard Certification
• Lifeguard Instructor Certification
• CPR
• First Aid
• AED
• Oxygen Administration
• Any additional certifications required by the company, certifying agency, or applicable law

Candidates who already hold a current Lifeguard Instructor certification are strongly preferred.

This position is subject to successful completion of a background check as it relates to the responsibilities of the role.

At S&L Hospitality, culture is not just another buzz word we throw around lightly. The culture that has been built at S&L is at the base of everything we do, and we want to find team members that will not only meet our job requirements but also fit the culture of our company. S&L Hospitality has been built on the foundation of family and creating lasting, positive relationship. Our mission is to create a lasting impression doesn't just stop at our guests - we also take care of our team!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Must be at least 16 years of age for most positions within our properties, however some may require a minimum age of 18 depending on responsibilities, hours, as well as local/state/federal laws. *Seasonal team members may not be eligible to PTO and other benefits due to length of employment.