Senior Director, May Center Programming

92nd Street Y; New York (NY); On-site; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The 92nd Street Y in New York, NY seeks a Senior Director, May Center Programming to provide strategic leadership and financial oversight for Athletics and Aquatics. You will guide Center Heads, align multi-department initiatives, and drive enrollment and program excellence while maintaining safety and inclusion.

Responsibilities include budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis; mentoring senior staff; and partnering with executives to plan growth, set standards, and ensure operational

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience, preferably in athletics, aquatics, youth development, or community-based programming.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis.
• Exceptional organizational and strategic planning skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Calm, solutions-oriented leader who maintains professionalism under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a commitment to building positive relationships with staff, participants, and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for May Center Athletics and Aquatics.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance for divisions.
• Develop leadership capability by mentoring Center Heads and senior staff.
• Drive enrollment growth, program development, and participant experience.
• Ensure safety, risk management, and regulatory compliance across programs.
• Collaborate with Executive Director and other senior leaders for cross-department integration.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial management

People management

Program development

Risk management

Communication

Operations management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Job description

The Senior Director, May Center Programming is responsible for the overall strategic leadership, financial performance, team management, and operational excellence of the May Center Athletics (Sports and Gymnastics) and Aquatics divisions.

This role provides comprehensive oversight of all programming within these divisions, ensuring high-quality experiences, strong enrollment and retention, fiscal responsibility, and alignment with the May Center’s mission and organizational goals. The Senior Director directly manages the Center Heads within Athletics and Aquatics and works collaboratively with the Executive Director and other senior leaders to ensure seamless integration across departments.

The Senior Director, May Center Programming plays a critical role in driving program growth, staff development, and continuous improvement while maintaining a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for participants of all ages.

Strategic and Financial Oversight

• Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking for all Athletics (Sports and Gymnastics) and Aquatics programs, with a focus on sustainable growth and profitability.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) including enrollment, retention, staffing ratios, and program margins; adjust strategy to meet or exceed financial and participation goals.
• Ensure responsible management of divisional budgets, payroll, and resource allocation.
• Partner with the Executive Director on long-range planning, capital needs, and program expansion opportunities.

Program Leadership and Department Management

• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and leadership to the Center Heads of Athletics (Sports and Gymnastics) and Aquatics.
• Set clear expectations and performance goals for divisional leadership, ensuring accountability, consistency, and excellence in program delivery.
• Support Center Heads in curriculum development, scheduling, staffing models, and operational systems.
• Foster collaboration across divisions and with other May Center departments to create cohesive, participant-centered experiences.
• Ensure programs meet all safety, risk management, and regulatory standards.

Program Development and Participant Experience

• Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of high-quality Athletics and Aquatics programs serving diverse age groups and skill levels.
• Ensure programs are mission-aligned, inclusive, and responsive to community needs.
• Identify opportunities to enhance participant engagement, progression pathways, and retention across programs.
• Partner with marketing and sales teams to support enrollment strategies, seasonal campaigns, and promotional initiatives.
• Regularly assess participant feedback and operational data to drive continuous improvement.

Staff Leadership and Professional Development

• Provide mentorship, performance management, and professional development opportunities for Center Heads and senior staff.
• Support recruiting, onboarding, training, and evaluation processes to ensure strong leadership pipelines within Athletics and Aquatics.
• Promote a positive, collaborative, and high-performance culture rooted in professionalism, accountability, and care.

Operations, Systems and Administration

• Oversee administrative functions within Athletics and Aquatics, inlcluding scheduling, payroll oversight, compliance documentation, and reporting
• Partner with internal teams on systems, data tracking, and operational workflows to improve efficiency and transparency.
• Ensure programs are aligned with organizational policies related to finance, HR, IT, and risk management.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience, preferably within athletics, aquatics, youth development, or community-based programming.
• Proven experience managing senior leaders and complex, multi-program operations.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis.
• Exceptional organizational and strategic planning skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Thrives in fast-paced environments and adapts quickly to changing needs.
• Calm, solutions-oriented leader who maintains professionalism under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a commitment to building positive relationships with staff, participants, and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate challenges and implement proactive, thoughtful solutions.

40 hours/week, with flexibility to support program needs, including evenings and weekends as required.

Due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we are only able to contact those applicants whose experience most aligns with the position profile.

Compensation Range

$115,000 - $125,000

The actual compensation offered will be based on a number of factors including, but not limited to the qualifications of the applicant, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.