Sports Director

YMCA of Metro North; Peabody (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Gym membership

Professional development opportunities

Subsidized health & dental

12% retirement

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

The Torigian Family YMCA in Peabody, MA seeks a Programs & Sports Director to lead youth and sports initiatives, build relationships with members, and oversee staff and volunteers. The role emphasizes developing programs that foster healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility.

The Director will plan and evaluate programs, collaborate with other program directors, and report to the Senior Director of Youth Development. Evening and weekend work may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in sports education or related field or equivalent.
• Two‑five years related experience necessary.
• CPR/First Aid/AED certification within 90 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Lead youth and sports programs; develop meaningful programs aligned with YMCA mission.
• Plan, develop, implement, expand and evaluate youth programs and events.
• Manage staff and volunteers; engage families to maximize participation.

Skills

Relationship building

Staff leadership

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in sports education or related field

Tools

CPR/First Aid/AED

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Torigian Family YMCA in Peabody Massachusetts is looking for an energetic leader who loves to build relationships to serve as the Programming & Sports Director to lead our youth and sports programs.

The Y is the starting point for many youth and adults to develop healthy habits that they will carry with them throughout their lives. The benefits are far greater than just physical health. Sports at the Y is about building the whole child, from the inside out, developing confidence, positive relationships, good sportsmanship, and teamwork. The focus on healthy habits and positive experiences carries over into adult sports programs as well.

The Director is involved in planning, development, implementation, expansion and evaluation of youth programs & events including the support of the summer day camp program (Camp Eastman). The principle objective will be to develop meaningful programs and services in order to fulfill the YMCA’s mission.

The Director engages staff, volunteers, and participants to develop, maintain, and grow a variety of mission-based youth and sports programs that are diverse in terms of ages (pre-school to adult) and level of competition (developmental to competitive). The Director also works with other Program Directors at the branch to maximize involvement and engagement of sports participants and their families in other areas of the Y. The ideal candidate is flexible, innovative, organized, and personable, adept at both administration and programming. This position will report to the Senior Director or Youth Development.

Schedule

Varies according to season and program needs. Evenings and Weekends may be required.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES/PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES:

• Must reflect the three Y core standards of Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility!
• Provide excellent member service by exceeding member expectations.
• Engage in active listening with members in order to build relationships, understand individual’s goals and interests, and take the initiative to assist in the achievement of those goals.
• Educate members on current sports, fitness principles and research findings.
• Design conditioning training programs, including programs for persons with special needs if necessary.
• Review member’s programs regularly, provide feedback, and follow up.
• Educate members in the proper use of cardiovascular equipment and help them select the appropriate training program and level (i.e. target heart rate calculation).
• Teach youth members the principles and correct techniques of strength training that includes equipment and free weights.
• Provide supervision and encouragement during training sessions.
• Attend scheduled Fitness staff meetings and participate in training seminars
• Carry out other related responsibilities as assigned.
• Remain current in required and voluntary training in order to promote growth of mind and spirit and character values for all.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• 1-2+ years of experience leading staff and/or volunteers strongly preferred.
• Prior experience playing/coaching/refereeing organized sports, particularly basketball, soccer, volleyball, football and/or baseball strongly preferred.
• CPR/First Aid/AED – must obtain certification within first 90 days of employment and maintain a current certification thereafter.
• Strong ability to develop innovative programming for participant retention and revenue growth.
• Strong ability to recruit, retain, and coach staff; while fostering a positive team atmosphere.
• Exemplifies a proactive, hands‑on approach, as well as a professional work ethic.
• Ability to work a non‑traditional schedule including majority nights and weekends.
• Strong interpersonal, organization and communication skills.
• Energetic, devoted, mission driven, team‑oriented individual.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Must be knowledgeable of anatomy, physiology, and basic exercise principles
• Coaching, personal training or strength and conditioning certifications, or working towards those certifications preferred.

REQUIRED TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONS:

• CPR and First Aid within first 30 days (YMCA provided training)
• Safety Skills Online Trainings

• Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
• And all other required job‑related training

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Team Leader):

Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Y’s values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivates relationships to support fund‑raising.

Collaboration: Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively tailors communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance and support.

Operational Effectiveness: Provides others with frameworks for making decisions. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high‑quality results using a formal process to measure progress.

Personal Growth: Shares new insights. Facilitates change; models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non‑threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up‑to‑date knowledge and skills in technology.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bachelor's degree in sports education or related field or equivalent
2. Minimum age of 21
3. Two‑five years related experience necessary
4. Ability to relate effectively with diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community
5. Ability to lead, teach, and interact with children, staff, teachers, parents/guardians, and the school community
6. Knowledge of and ability to facilitate Board of Health (BOH) regulations

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions of position and to safely supervise children’s activities.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Clean criminal record check. (Must be able to pass a Background Records Check prior to working directly with children.)
• Completion of YMCA Online Trainings within first 30 days of hire.
• Complete First Aid and CPR certifications within the first 30 days of hire.

BENEFITS

• At the YMCA of Metro North, we value and respect educators! Our goal is to provide a supportive work environment that promotes a quality work/life balance.
• We offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits including subsidized health and dental, voluntary vision and 403b option. The Y provides 12% retirement after meeting certain requirements.
• Gym membership to be used at any of our locations.
• Paid professional development opportunities.
• Generous holiday and vacation package for full‑time employees.