School Aged Program Manager

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package for all

Participation in YMCA retirement fund

Complimentary Family YMCA membership

Employee discount on select programs

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is seeking a full‑time School Aged Program Manager to oversee school aged and youth enrichment programs, day camp operations, and budgeted activities. You’ll drive enrollment, ensure safety, and lead a team focused on high‑quality member experiences.

The role emphasizes leadership, training, and cross‑center collaboration to deliver meaningful community impact and program excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Recreation Management, Education, or related field.
• 1 to 3 years or more experience in youth and family programming providing high‑quality experience to program participants, with at least 2 years supervisor or team leadership experience.
• Meets credentialing requirements for DCFS licensing, where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Increases member/participant connection and commitment to YMCA programs and ensures the member/participant experience is consistent, integrated and aligned to YMCA goals for member experience, engagement and retention.
• Addresses inquiries and improves member experience through tools and processes.
• Monitors program registration goals and adapts program portfolio to meet community needs.
• Coordinates with teams to promote programs in the community and participates in events and activities.
• Manages program budget, forecasts revenue, and reports on financial performance.
• Maintains program guides, registration site, and customer management systems to market programs.
• Ensures facilities are safe and welcoming and identifies potential risks.
• Supports mission and center operations as needed.

Skills

Operations Leadership

Program Management

Team Leadership

Budget Management

Staff Training

Recruitment

Education

Bachelor's Degree

DCFS Licensing Credential (where applicable)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Email

Job description

Make a Difference in your Community - the Lake View YMCA is hiring a full-time School Aged Program Manager!

The School Aged Program Manager is responsible for managing the daily operations of all school aged and youth enrichment programs and summer day camp. As a School Aged Program Manager, you will provide operational leadership to day camp programming, school-aged programming, and youth enrichment programs. This role is accountable to ensure that there is high‑quality programming to meet the community needs and goals for program enrollment, quality, member experience, and budget. This includes enhancing the member/participant experience and member retention, delivering on program enrollment goals, and ensuring a safe environment for all members, participants and staff. The School Aged Program Manager provides leadership and supervision that drives team engagement, performance and development.

Salary range for this position starts at $43,888 per year with full‑time benefits and opportunities to grow within the organization.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees
• Opportunity for eligible employees to participate in the Y's retirement fund
• Be part of a team that is passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable environment for all staff, volunteers, and members
• Do meaningful work and contribute to the advancement of the YMCA vision by meeting the needs of the people in our communities
• Complimentary Family YMCA membership and an employee discount on select programs
• Career advancement opportunities - grow your career at the Y!

Scope Of Responsibilities

Member and Program Experience

• Increases member/participant connection and commitment to YMCA programs and ensures the member/participant experience is consistent, integrated and aligned to YMCA goals for member experience, engagement and retention.
• Addresses members’ and prospective members’ inquiries. Adapts and creates tools and processes to enhance member experience.
• Monitors program registration goals to understand trends and identify means for development. Adapts and customizes program portfolio to meet community needs.
• Collaborates with peers and leaders in and outside the Y to promote programs in the community through multiple channels. Participates in special events and activities at the center and within the community.
• Coordinates with membership/contact center to ensure all collections, refunds and other transactions are completed accurately and timely.
• Participates in direct service as needed to facilitate program operations.
• Collaborates with other teams within center on membership and programming to ensure a high-quality member experience.

Team Management

• Identifies, manages and motivates a high-performing team that accomplishes program objectives.
• Establishes, monitors and evaluates team goals and performance standards. Coaches, trains and develops team members to optimize performance and enhance member experience.
• Coaches and mentors staff to support them in delivering safe, engaging and well‑organized program services. Completes formal staff evaluations for performance reviews and provides coaching and intervention as necessary.
• Hires, onboards and trains new staff and provides ongoing trainings in accordance with training designs. Facilitates all-staff meetings and in-services. Responsible for ensuring staff are compliant with required trainings and certifications.
• Manages time and attendance for current staff, ensuring that time is accurately recorded in the HRIS system.
• Recruits and trains volunteers, where appropriate, to meet the needs of the programs.

Program Management

• Manages program budget, including forecasting revenue, managing program margins and expenses, to meet financial targets. Monitors and reports on program financial performance.
• Oversees maintenance of program guides, customer management system and online registration site to market programs to members and the community.
• Follows YMCA standards for supervised departments.
• Works to keep facilities safe, clean and inviting by adhering to association standards. Promotes the value of keeping the center welcoming and safe with staff.
• Identifies, escalates and rectifies potential risks that could threaten the safety, health or well‑being of members, participants or employees.
• Supports the YMCA’s mission and center operations as needed.

Minimum And Preferred Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Recreation Management, Education, or related field
• 1 to 3 years or more experience in youth and family programming providing high‑quality experience to program participants, with at least 2 years supervisor or team leadership experience.
• Meets credentialing requirements for DCFS licensing, where applicable.
• Commitment to, and a passion for, the YMCA of Metro Chicago’s mission.
• Demonstrated ability to accomplish goals through others, whether direct reports or through influence.
• Strategic thinking skills including effective planning, setting goals, monitoring progress, tracking results and making appropriate adjustments to plans based on circumstances and context.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple, competing priorities to maximize personal and team effectiveness.
• Customer service orientation, with the ability to effectively communicate on a regular basis with internal customers, build relationships, manage customer expectations and take responsibility for a high level of service.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively build and maintain relationships with customers, team members and other stakeholders and constituents.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), email; ability to learn and adapt to new technology.
• Meet physical qualifications required as outlined in job description. The YMCA will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.
• Based on funding requirements, must be willing to register with the Gateways Registry and complete all required online training for designated program area.

Child Abuse Prevention

Supports the YMCA’s commitment to child abuse prevention by:

• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor
• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children
• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor
• Completing all child abuse prevention training as required