Program Director Youth and Family Services - Abingdon (Ward)

The Y in Central Maryland; Maryland; On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Y in Central Maryland is seeking a Program Director to provide strategic and operational leadership for youth and family programs within Y Family Centers. This role develops high-quality programs, leads associates, manages performance and budgets, ensures child safety and regulatory compliance, and creates experiences that strengthen connections between children, families, and the Y.

The Program Director leads Stay & Play and other youth experiences, ensuring safe, engaging environments,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Child Development, Education, Youth Development, Recreation, Human Services, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in youth development, childcare, recreation, family programming, education, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of supervisory or people leadership experience.
• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating youth or family programs.
• Experience managing budgets, staffing, schedules, and program operations.
• Strong understanding of positive youth development, child safety, and family engagement practices.
• Strong leadership, communication, relationship-building, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze program data and use findings to improve quality and performance.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with computers and ability to learn Y operational, payroll, scheduling, and program management systems.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Current CPR/AED/O2/First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate youth and family programs that align with the Y's mission, strategic priorities, and positive youth development practices.
• Develop age-appropriate, engaging programs and experiences that support children's social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative development.
• Identify opportunities to enhance or expand youth and family programming based on community needs, participation trends, member feedback, and Family Center priorities.
• Establish goals and performance measures for assigned programs and monitor progress toward participation, quality, engagement, and retention objectives.
• Create opportunities for children and families to build relationships, develop a sense of belonging, and deepen their connection to the Y.
• Provide overall leadership and accountability for Stay & Play operations within assigned Family Centers.
• Ensure Stay & Play provides a safe, welcoming, clean, and engaging environment for children while their parents or guardians participate in activities within the Family Center.
• Ensure consistent implementation of active supervision, child protection, sign-in/sign-out, behavior guidance, emergency response, risk management, and safety procedures.
• Develop and maintain staffing schedules that ensure appropriate coverage and supervision.
• Recruit, train, coach, and develop Stay & Play associates to deliver positive experiences for children and families.
• Ensure associates actively engage children through age-appropriate play, games, activities, and relationship-building experiences.
• Monitor program spaces, toys, materials, and equipment to ensure they are clean, disinfected, organized, safe, and developmentally appropriate.
• Review attendance records, communication reports, incident reports, and other program documentation and take appropriate action when concerns are identified.
• Respond to family questions, concerns, incidents, and service recovery needs in a timely and professional manner.
• Regularly observe Stay & Play operations and use family feedback, participation data, and program observations to improve quality and consistency.
• Champion a culture in which child safety is a visible and shared priority across all youth and family programs.
• Ensure associates consistently follow Y child protection, active supervision, mandatory reporting, behavior guidance, and risk management requirements.
• Monitor program operations for potential safety or compliance concerns and take appropriate corrective action.
• Ensure incidents, injuries, child protection concerns, and unusual situations are appropriately documented, reported, reviewed, and addressed.
• Maintain compliance with applicable licensing requirements, Y standards, and local or state regulations.
• Ensure all required associate certifications, clearances, and trainings remain current.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, supervise, coach, evaluate, and develop youth and family program associates.
• Establish clear performance expectations and hold associates accountable for safety, program quality, engagement, and service standards.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, recognition, and professional development.
• Develop staffing plans and associate schedules that support program needs, participant safety, and budget expectations.
• Address performance or conduct concerns promptly and in partnership with Human Resources and Family Center leadership as appropriate.
• Build a positive, collaborative, inclusive, and accountable team culture.
• Identify high-potential associates and support career development and succession planning.
• Create welcoming and inclusive experiences that help children and families feel safe, supported, and connected to the Y.
• Build relationships with families and maintain regular communication regarding programs, experiences, opportunities, and concerns.
• Respond to member and participant feedback in a timely, professional, and solution-focused manner.
• Collaborate with Membership Services to connect families with programs and services that support their needs and strengthen retention.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence throughout assigned program areas and Family Centers.
• Develop, manage, and monitor assigned program budgets and financial performance.
• Monitor enrollment, participation, staffing, payroll, purchasing, supplies, and other expenses and make adjustments as necessary.
• Implement Y operational practices related to payroll, purchasing, reporting, documentation, record keeping, and program administration.
• Ensure program spaces, equipment, and supplies are maintained and ready for safe operation.
• Coordinate facility usage and scheduling for assigned programs and activities.
• Use program, financial, and operational data to make informed decisions and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Serve as an active member of the Family Center leadership team and contribute to center-wide strategy and operations.
• Serve as Leader on Duty as assigned and provide leadership in response to operational, safety, member, and associate needs.
• Collaborate with Membership, Swim & Aquatics, Fitness, and other Family Center departments to create a connected experience for children and families.
• Communicate regularly with Center leadership regarding program performance, staffing, risks, opportunities, and emerging needs.
• Participate in Family Center events, fundraising campaigns, community engagement activities, and organizational initiatives.
• Build relationships with community organizations and partners that enhance youth and family programming.
• Attend and actively participate in required leadership meetings, trainings, and professional development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Youth development

Staff supervision

Communication

Problem solving

Data analysis

CPR / First Aid

Education

Bachelor's degree in Child Development, Education, Youth Development, Recreation, Human Services, or a related field

Tools

CPR / First Aid

Job description

Overwhelmingly, people who decide they want to be a part of the Y in Central Maryland tell us they do so because it reflects their values and a conscious decision, they’ve made about how they choose to live their lives. The happiest and most fulfilled Y associates are those who are motivated to help others and who want to be a part of something larger than themselves. If this speaks to your heart, then we invite you to join our team. Be a part of a charitable, mission-driven organization that works for individual and community well-being for all, for a better us.

At the Y in Central Maryland, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth. Enjoy flexible schedules, competitive pay, and generous paid time off, alongside medical, dental and vision benefits, as well as dependent care FSA. We offer a generous employer contribution to the Y retirement fund, and opportunities for career advancement. Our commitment to fostering a positive work environment means you'll have access to training and development programs that align with our mission to empower individuals and strengthen communities. Join us and bring your passion to a fulfilling career where you can truly make a difference!

Position Summary

The Youth & Family Services Program Director provides strategic and operational leadership for youth and family programs within assigned Y Family Centers. This position is responsible for developing high-quality programs, leading and developing associates, managing program performance and budgets, ensuring child safety and regulatory compliance, and creating experiences that strengthen the connection between children, families, and the Y.

The Program Director has primary leadership responsibility for Stay & Play and other assigned youth and family experiences. This includes ensuring safe and engaging environments, appropriate staffing and supervision, effective family communication, clean and well-maintained program spaces, and consistent implementation of Y child protection and risk management practices.

As a member of the Family Center leadership team, the Program Director collaborates across departments to strengthen member engagement, retention, and the overall family experience while ensuring programs remain responsive to the needs of the communities served.

Essential Functions

Program Strategy & Youth Development

• Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate youth and family programs that align with the Y's mission, strategic priorities, and positive youth development practices.
• Develop age-appropriate, engaging programs and experiences that support children's social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative development.
• Identify opportunities to enhance or expand youth and family programming based on community needs, participation trends, member feedback, and Family Center priorities.
• Establish goals and performance measures for assigned programs and monitor progress toward participation, quality, engagement, and retention objectives.
• Create opportunities for children and families to build relationships, develop a sense of belonging, and deepen their connection to the Y.

Stay & Play Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and accountability for Stay & Play operations within assigned Family Centers.
• Ensure Stay & Play provides a safe, welcoming, clean, and engaging environment for children while their parents or guardians participate in activities within the Family Center.
• Ensure consistent implementation of active supervision, child protection, sign-in/sign-out, behavior guidance, emergency response, risk management, and safety procedures.
• Develop and maintain staffing schedules that ensure appropriate coverage and supervision.
• Recruit, train, coach, and develop Stay & Play associates to deliver positive experiences for children and families.
• Ensure associates actively engage children through age-appropriate play, games, activities, and relationship-building experiences.
• Monitor program spaces, toys, materials, and equipment to ensure they are clean, disinfected, organized, safe, and developmentally appropriate.
• Review attendance records, communication reports, incident reports, and other program documentation and take appropriate action when concerns are identified.
• Respond to family questions, concerns, incidents, and service recovery needs in a timely and professional manner.
• Regularly observe Stay & Play operations and use family feedback, participation data, and program observations to improve quality and consistency.

Child Safety & Risk Management

• Champion a culture in which child safety is a visible and shared priority across all youth and family programs.
• Ensure associates consistently follow Y child protection, active supervision, mandatory reporting, behavior guidance, and risk management requirements.
• Monitor program operations for potential safety or compliance concerns and take appropriate corrective action.
• Ensure incidents, injuries, child protection concerns, and unusual situations are appropriately documented, reported, reviewed, and addressed.
• Maintain compliance with applicable licensing requirements, Y standards, and local or state regulations.
• Ensure all required associate certifications, clearances, and trainings remain current.

Associate Leadership & Development

• Recruit, hire, onboard, supervise, coach, evaluate, and develop youth and family program associates.
• Establish clear performance expectations and hold associates accountable for safety, program quality, engagement, and service standards.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, recognition, and professional development.
• Develop staffing plans and associate schedules that support program needs, participant safety, and budget expectations.
• Address performance or conduct concerns promptly and in partnership with Human Resources and Family Center leadership as appropriate.
• Build a positive, collaborative, inclusive, and accountable team culture.
• Identify high-potential associates and support career development and succession planning.

Family & Member Experience

• Create welcoming and inclusive experiences that help children and families feel safe, supported, and connected to the Y.
• Build relationships with families and maintain regular communication regarding programs, experiences, opportunities, and concerns.
• Respond to member and participant feedback in a timely, professional, and solution-focused manner.
• Collaborate with Membership Services to connect families with programs and services that support their needs and strengthen retention.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence throughout assigned program areas and Family Centers.

Operational & Financial Management

• Develop, manage, and monitor assigned program budgets and financial performance.
• Monitor enrollment, participation, staffing, payroll, purchasing, supplies, and other expenses and make adjustments as necessary.
• Implement Y operational practices related to payroll, purchasing, reporting, documentation, record keeping, and program administration.
• Ensure program spaces, equipment, and supplies are maintained and ready for safe operation.
• Coordinate facility usage and scheduling for assigned programs and activities.
• Use program, financial, and operational data to make informed decisions and identify opportunities for improvement.

Family Center Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as an active member of the Family Center leadership team and contribute to center-wide strategy and operations.
• Serve as Leader on Duty as assigned and provide leadership in response to operational, safety, member, and associate needs.
• Collaborate with Membership, Swim & Aquatics, Fitness, and other Family Center departments to create a connected experience for children and families.
• Communicate regularly with Center leadership regarding program performance, staffing, risks, opportunities, and emerging needs.
• Participate in Family Center events, fundraising campaigns, community engagement activities, and organizational initiatives.
• Build relationships with community organizations and partners that enhance youth and family programming.
• Attend and actively participate in required leadership meetings, trainings, and professional development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Child Development, Education, Youth Development, Recreation, Human Services, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in youth development, childcare, recreation, family programming, education, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of supervisory or people leadership experience required; experience supervising full-time and part-time associates preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and evaluating youth or family programs.
• Experience managing budgets, staffing, schedules, and program operations preferred.
• Strong understanding of positive youth development, child safety, and family engagement practices.
• Strong leadership, communication, relationship-building, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze program data and use findings to improve quality and performance.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with computers and ability to learn Y operational, payroll, scheduling, and program management systems.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Current CPR/AED/O2/First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

Schedule Requirements

• This is a full-time exempt leadership position requiring flexibility based on Family Center and program needs.
• Must be available to work a schedule that includes days, evenings, weekends, holidays, special events, and periods of increased program activity.
• Regular evening and weekend presence is expected to support programs, associates, families, and Family Center operations.

Physical Demands

• Will be required to walk, stand, kneel, stoop, push, and lift up to 50 pounds.
• While performing duties, the employee may occasionally work in outside weather conditions and is exposed to wet, cold, and /or humid conditions.
• Continuous operations requiring attention to detail and multi-tasking.
• Will be exposed to cleaning supplies.
• Must be able to stand or sit for long periods of time.
• Must be physically able to successfully complete required certifications.

An offer of employment is contingent upon receipt of satisfactory results to meet minimum requirements for the position. They may include a background check, drug test, driver's license record, CPS, and/or Criminal Background check.

Additional driver's license check, CPS, Criminal Background check, alcohol and/or drug testing may be required to be processed in the future in order to meet and maintain the minimum requirements of this position.

All Y associates agree to abide by The Code of Conduct with Youth that sets clear expectations for associates and volunteers to ensure a safe and respectful environment for young people. It emphasizes treating youth with respect and fairness, avoiding inappropriate physical or verbal interactions, and adhering to established standards of affection. The policy strictly prohibits any form of abuse, bullying, or harassment and mandates the reporting of suspected mistreatment. Additionally, associates and volunteers must complete training on child abuse prevention and comply with legal reporting requirements to safeguard youth.