Regional Aquatics Director

YMCA of the USA; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region is seeking a Regional Aquatics Director to lead multi-branch aquatics programs, ensure safe and high‑quality operations, and drive program growth across the region.

You will oversee staff, manage budgets, and collaborate with leadership to uphold YMCA standards while delivering exceptional experiences for members and participants.

Qualifications

• Minimum age 21 with a high school diploma or equivalent; bachelor's degree preferred.
• 3+ years leadership in aquatics with staff supervision, program management, budget oversight, and operational leadership.
• Current CPO, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Emergency Oxygen Administration, YMCA Lifeguard (or equivalent); Instructor Trainer certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide regional leadership and oversight for aquatics operations across branches.
• Champion excellent aquatics programs and five‑star member experiences.
• Collaborate with leadership to standardize operations and drive program growth.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and develop aquatics staff.
• Develop and manage regional aquatics budgets and monitor financial performance.
• Plan and evaluate aquatics programs, lifeguarding, safety training, and special events.
• Ensure compliance with YMCA policies, safety standards, and staff certifications.
• Build partnerships with schools, community organizations, and partners.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Program management

Budget oversight

Operational leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Regional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our Aquatics team!

Job Description

The Regional Aquatics Director provides leadership and operational oversight for aquatics programs across an assigned region of the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region. This position is responsible for ensuring safe, high-quality, and consistent aquatics operations by supporting branch staff, standardizing program delivery, developing leaders, managing regional budgets, and driving program growth. Working collaboratively with the Association Aquatics Director and branch leadership, the Regional Aquatics Director ensures YMCA aquatics programs reflect the organization's mission, strategic priorities, and commitment to exceptional member and participant experiences.

Qualifications

• Minimum age of 21 with a high school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor's degree in Recreation, Aquatics, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum three years of leadership experience in aquatics, recreation, or a related field, including staff supervision, program management, budget oversight, and operational leadership.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, technology, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to lead multiple locations, build collaborative relationships, and manage competing priorities.
• Current Certified Pool Operator (CPO), CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Emergency Oxygen Administration, YMCA Lifeguard (or equivalent), and YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor (or equivalent). YMCA Instructor Trainer certifications preferred.
• Completion of YMCA required training upon hire and ability to work a flexible schedule including mornings, evenings, weekends, and travel throughout the assigned region.

Essential Functions

• Provide regional leadership and oversight for aquatics operations, ensuring consistent, safe, and high‑quality programs, services, and facility operations across assigned branches.
• Champion a culture of excellence by leading high‑quality aquatics programs, promoting membership and program participation, and creating welcoming, engaging, and five‑star experiences for members, participants, and families.
• Collaborate with the Association Aquatics Director and branch leadership to implement strategic initiatives, standardize operations, strengthen risk management practices, and identify opportunities for program growth and innovation.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, develop, and evaluate aquatics staff while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, professional growth, safety, and exceptional customer service.
• Develop and manage regional aquatics budgets, monitor financial performance, and recommend strategies that improve operational efficiency, participation, and long‑term sustainability.
• Lead the planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of aquatics programs, swim lessons, lifeguarding, safety training, and special events that meet community needs and YMCA standards.
• Ensure compliance with YMCA policies, abuse risk management practices, state and local regulations, aquatic safety standards, staff certifications, emergency action plans, preventative maintenance procedures, and ongoing staff training.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with branch leadership, schools, community organizations, and strategic partners to strengthen aquatics programming and community impact.
• Respond professionally to member concerns, resolve operational issues, and model a welcoming, inclusive, and service‑focused environment for members, participants, staff, volunteers, and guests.
• Support marketing initiatives, fundraising efforts, the Annual Support Campaign, association projects, and travel regularly between assigned branch locations while performing other duties as assigned.
• Serve as a leader in branch fundraising activities for the Annual Support Campaign, including the solicitation of funds to support financial assistance, military family initiatives, community outreach, and branch goals and objectives.
• Ensures the safety and well‑being of consumers by maintaining professional boundaries, completing required abuse risk management training, following procedures for high‑risk activities and supervision, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations, and adhering to mandated abuse reporting requirements.
• Perform Other Duties as Assigned.

Required Certifications

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Sufficient physical strength and agility to carry out essential duties, including emergency response.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.
• The employee frequently is required to sit/stand and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to thirty (30) pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.