Operations Director (Aquatics, Youth & Family Programming)
YMCA of the USA
An application made for this job — a tailored resume and cover letter that speak straight to the posting.
Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth is seeking an experienced Operations Director for the Bedford Center YMCA. You will lead the Aquatics Department and Youth & Family Programming, ensuring exceptional member experiences through high-quality programs and strong operational leadership.
The role requires strategic oversight of aquatics operations, staff development, budget management, and community engagement to strengthen the YMCA's impact in Bedford and surrounding areas.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional work experience.
- Four+ years of leadership experience in aquatics, recreation, youth programming, or nonprofit operations.
- YMCA Lifeguard/Swim Instructor certs preferred (or ability to obtain).
- CPR/First Aid/AED and related certifications.
Responsibilities
- Provide leadership for Bedford YMCA Aquatics Department and Youth & Family Programming.
- Oversee daily operations of indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities and related programs.
- Develop innovative youth and family programming to engage members year-round.
- Plan and evaluate signature family events (Fall Festival, Nerf Wars, Cookies with Santa, etc.).
- Develop operating plans to grow participation and revenue.
- Recruit, hire, train, and supervise staff; foster service-oriented culture.
- Ensure compliance with safety regulations and financial performance goals.
- Build relationships with City of Bedford, schools, and community partners.
Skills
Education
Job description
The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth is looking for a cause driven leader to joint the team and support the work of the Y.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth is seeking an experience, energetic, and relationship-focused leader to serve as the Operations Director for the Bedford Center YMCA. As a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, the YMCA impacts lives everyday through programs, services, and relationships that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
The Operations Director will provide strategic leadership for the Bedford Center YMCA's Aquatics Department and Youth and Family Programming, while supporting the overall day-to-day operations of one of the YMCA's most unique and dynamic facilities. This position is responsible for creating an exceptional member experience by leading high-quality aquatic programming, engaging youth and family activities, staff development, member engagement, and operational excellence.
The ideal candidate is an innovative leader with a demonstrated track record of delivering exceptional programs while effectively managing the administrative, financial, and operational components of a growing department. Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills are essential to ensuring members and participants have an outstanding YMCA experience.
In partnership with the City of Bedford, the YMCA provides a wide variety of programs and opportunities that promote healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility. The Bedford Center YMCA Aquatics Center features both an impressive indoor aquatic facility and a seasonal outdoor waterpark. The indoor aquatic center includes a 160,000-gallon multi-attraction pool featuring four lap lanes, a lazy river, zero-depth entry leisure area with interactive spray features, a hot tub and two water slides. The outdoor waterpark includes 80,000-gallon leisure pool with zero-depth entry, spray grounds, lazy river, two water slides, and a toddler play pool.
The Operations Director will oversee one of the largest aquatics operations in the Fort Worth Association, supervising approximately 50 part-time employees year-round and nearly 130 seasonal staff during the summer months. In addition to aquatics, this leader will oversee Youth and Family programming, creating engaging experiences that bring families together through special events and community programming including, but not limited to, Fall Festival, Nerf Wars, Cookies with Santa, family nights, holiday events, and other innovative programs designed to strengthen community connections.
It is expected that the successful candidate will become actively engaged within the Bedford community and build meaningful relationships with members, families, volunteers, community partners, and city representatives.
Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. It's who we are, who we aspire to be, and how we show up every day. We are cause-driven. We don't just show up- we show up with purpose.
- Welcoming - Accept neighbors eagerly, warmly, hospitably, and as equal participants.
- Nurturing - Care for, support, and help develop others through encouragement.
- Hopeful - Take an optimistic view of future outcomes.
- Determined - Devote full strength and focused attention to advancing our mission.
- Genuine - Build authentic relationships through honesty, integrity, and respect.
We act with intentionality to connect people to our cause. Join us and help transform lives.
- Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Business, Nonprofit Management, Physical Education, or a related field, or equivalent professional work experience.
- Four or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in aquatics, recreation, youth programming, or nonprofit operations.
- YMCA Lifeguard and/or YMCA Swim Instructor certification preferred (or ability to obtain).
- YMCA Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) certification a plus.
- YMCA Team Leader Certification preferred or ability to obtain during employment.
- CPR, First Aid, AED, and other required certifications.
The successful candidate is a collaborative leader who demonstrates a positive, "can-do" attitude and thrives in a fast-paced environment. This individual must possess exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, flexibility, and the ability to lead large teams while maintaining a strong focus on member experience.
- Supervising and developing staff and volunteers.
- Aquatics operations and risk management.
- Youth and Family programming.
- Budget development and financial management.
- Program development, marketing, and growth.
- Community relationship building.
- Event planning and execution.
- Annual Campaign fundraising.
- Building relationships with diverse populations.
- Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.
- Provides leadership for the Bedford YMCA Aquatics Department and Youth & Family Programming.
- Oversees daily operations of indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities, including swim lessons, lifeguards, water fitness, certifications, recreation programming and special aquatic events.
- Develops innovative youth and family programming that strengthens member engagement and creates meaningful experiences for families throughout the year.
- Plans, coordinates, and evaluates signature family events including Fall Festival, Nerf Wars, Cookies with Santa, family nights, holiday celebrations, and other community-focused activities.
- Develops and implements operating plans that promote program participation, member engagement, and revenue growth.
- Recruits, hires, trains, schedules, coaches, and evaluates staff while fostering a positive, service-oriented culture.
- Develops and manages departmental budgets while meeting financial performance goals.
- Ensures compliance with YMCA standards and all local, state, and federal health and safety regulations.
- Maintains the highest standards of safety, risk management, and emergency preparedness throughout all aquatic operations.
- Builds collaborative relationships with the City of Bedford, local schools, community organizations, and business partners.
- Supports the YMCA Annual Campaign through volunteer engagement, donor cultivation, and fundraising efforts.
- Works collaboratively with branch leadership to ensure exceptional member service and operations excellence throughout the facility.
- Provides reports, program evaluations, and performance data as needed.
To put Christian principles into practice through programs, services and relationships that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
The YMCA Is An Organization That Serves All People, From All Backgrounds And All Walks Of Life. Our Purpose Is To Strengthen Community. Our Areas Of Impact Include
- Youth Development: Empowering young people to reach their full potential.
- Healthy Living: Improving individual and community well-being.
- Social Responsibility: Providing support and inspiring action in our communities.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth offers a competitive salary and benefits package for selected candidates.
The yearly salary range for this position is $60,000 - $70,000 and will be commensurate with the selected candidate's experience.
- competitive health, dental, and vision benefits.
- Long-term disability
- a medical and dependent care reimbursement plan
- employee assistance plan
- free family membership
- discounts on Y programs including summer camps, enrichment classes, youth sports, childcare and more!
- Eligible to enroll in a 403(b) tax-deferred account at beginning of employment.
- 12% retirement paid by the YMCA upon meeting eligibility requirements.
- Paid time off (PTO) based on hours worked and years of service.
- Training and leadership development opportunities.
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
