Swim Development Director

YMCA of Greater Boston; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free YMCA Membership

Health, Dental, and Vision

Retirement plan up to 10%

Job summary

YMCA of Greater Boston is seeking a Swim Development Director in Waltham to lead swim development programs, train staff, and ensure safety and quality across aquatics. You will work with the Aquatics Cabinet and senior leadership to advance the association vision and drive program excellence.

The role requires 5+ years in swim instruction, YMCA lifeguard certification within 6 months, and strong leadership, budgeting, and community engagement skills. Weekend/evening flexibility is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum five years of experience as a swim instructor.
• YMCA Lifeguarding certification achieved within 6 months of hire.
• CPR/AED, First Aid, and Emergency Oxygen certifications.
• Trainer/faculty in Y Swim Lessons and Instructor in Y Lifeguarding with CPO certification.

Responsibilities

• Directly hire, coach, and manage staff; ensure progress via KPIs and development plans.
• Direct staff to deliver high-quality swim development programs and safe facilities.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, training, and audit processes.
• Lead budget planning, marketing, and collaboration across departments.
• Support association leadership and contribute to the Aquatics Road Map.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Sales knowledge

Multitasking

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree

YMCA Lifeguarding certification

CPR/AED and First Aid

Emergency Oxygen certification

Job description

Swim Development Director

Department: Aquatics

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Waltham YMCA

Reporting To: Johnny Quigley

Compensation: $58,000 - $62,000 / year

Description

Under the direction of the Associate/Executive Director, the Swim Development Director is responsible on a daily basis for creating a transformative Y Experience for our program participants, families, members and staff.

The Swim Development Director must be a subject matter expert and innovator in the core programs of the Y including but not limited to: training and safety; swimming lessons, including private and semi-private lessons; family swim programs; and competitive and pre-competitive swim programs that reflect community needs and maintain the YMCA’s high standards of quality, safety, and caring.

The Swim Development Director will work with the Aquatics Cabinet Leadership, assigned Vice President, and peers to drive the association vision for aquatics through training, cabinet collaboration, and aquatic leadership. The Swim Development Director will also have association responsibilities and is a key member of the Aquatics Cabinet and contributes to the overall direction and strategy of the Aquatics portfolio of programs and offerings.

Key Responsibilities

Key Functions/Responsibilities

The Swim Development Director will ensure success in the following areas of responsibility to support a strong Y Experience:

• Performance Achievement – Directly responsible for hiring, coaching, and managing all direct reports and ensuring compliance with association hiring practices for all positions within their organizational structure. Conducts quarterly connections with direct reports to ensure progress with key performance indicators and discuss career development.
• Member Service and Experience – Directs, trains, and supports staff to create a high-quality Y experience as evidenced by positive Net Promoter scores. Responds to all member concerns promptly and effectively solves problems that improve the Y experience. Ensures YMCA of Greater Boston’s standards of excellence around scheduling, cleanliness and safety are met. Communicates and elevates any safety concerns, facility, or equipment maintenance issues to appropriate team members.
• Compliance – Ensures accountability and compliance with all YMCA safety standards and best practices, and regulatory health and safety requirements in the aquatics facilities and ensures active participation and attendance in monthly in-service for both safety and instruction. Provides regular certification training for staff at the assigned centers and provides coordination and training support to other centers.
• Program Development – Provide leadership for the implementation of all swim development programs. Ensure all programs are high-quality and transformative as demonstrated by net-promoter scores and other experience metrics. Stays current on trend identification and implications as related to swim development techniques.

Ensures that the aquatic environment is well maintained, safe and clean, following DPH guidelines and YMCA practices.

• Fiscal Management – Works in partnership with (Sr.) Aquatics Director to develop an annual budget according to association instructions and ensures successful execution of the plan. Works to identify growth opportunities, forecasting on a monthly basis, and address financial deficiencies on a timely basis.
• Marketing and Community Engagement – Executes all aspects of association marketing strategies and campaigns as related to swim development programming. Represents and promotes Aquatics Programs and Membership in the community and at events. Actively drives internal marketing efforts to promote aquatics program growth and cross promotion of other program areas as assigned.
• Collaboration – Work in a collaborative manner with other departments and association leadership.
• Financial Development – Supports Center fundraising campaign, engages staff and families to meet annual goals.

Association Responsibilities

• Staff Training – Leads job specific training for swim instructors, as assigned and supports onboarding of aquatics staff.
• Program Operations – Will support quality standards and program development for aquatics cabinet and teams.
• Auditing – Supports in the creating auditing process and conducting regular audits of aquatics department standards and expectations as related to swim lessons.
• Risk Management – Will support Aquatics staff in conducting Post Incident Reviews for related swim lesson events.
• Fiscal Management – Responsible for assisting aquatic teams in budgeting, providing budget guidance and best standards.
• Cabinet Leadership – Will support the aquatics cabinet in a leadership role, including projects and project groups as assigned. This includes the direction and implementation of the Aquatics Road Map.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• A minimum of five years of experience as a swim instructor.
• YMCA Lifeguarding certification achieved within 6 months of hire. If Red Cross certified, the employee must obtain YMCA certification within six months of hire.
• CPR/AED, First Aid, and Emergency Oxygen
• The Swim Development Director will be a Trainer or Faculty in Y Swim Lessons (YSL) and Instructor in Y Lifeguarding (YLG) and a certified CPO

Skills and Competencies:

• Must have a thorough understanding of the nature of the YMCA movement, volunteers, and staff in the accomplishment of the YMCA goals, objectives, and mission in the community.
• Knowledge and experience of sales practices and overcoming objections.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, work independently, problem solve and possess effective time management skills.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing environments.
• Ability to effectively motivate a team.

Physical Demands:

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.

• Ability to physically and verbally interact with members and staff.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment/Schedule:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Some weekend and evening work is expected, with the flexibility needed to be available if needed for early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Benefits

Why work at the Y?

The YMCA of Greater Boston is an incredible place to have a fulfilling career or enjoy part-time employment — all while we are supporting and strengthening our communities, because our community is our cause. When you join us in your career here, you can look forward to:

• Developing your leadership skills in a caring, challenging & diverse working environment.
• Exploring a wide range of opportunities as you learn new skills and functions.
• Shaping the future of young children while making a difference each day for our communities and each other.
• Engaging in YMCA career training programs and working alongside those who have the same passion.
• A healthy work/life balance
• Comprehensive benefits including:
• FREE YMCA Membership for you.
• Discount on Specialty Programs like Personal Training and Swimming Lessons.
• Discounted or FREE family membership.
• Robust Retirement Plan up to 10%. (see eligibility requirement)
• Health, Dental, and Vision Benefit Package.
• Vacation and Sick Time (PT receive sick time)