Aquatics Director

The South Shore YMCA is seeking an Aquatics Director to lead a large, dynamic, year-round Aquatics Department at the Emilson Branch.

Reporting to the Associate Executive Director, the Aquatics Director is responsible for the overall leadership, operation, safety, staffing, programming, financial performance, and continued development of the Emilson Aquatics Department.

The Aquatics Director oversees five bodies of water, including two indoor pools, two outdoor pools, and a whirlpool, as well as associated pump rooms and Aquatics support spaces. The position leads an Aquatics leadership team that includes three full-time staff, along with a large team of part-time lifeguards, swim instructors, supervisors, and other Aquatics staff.

This position requires a leader who is visible, proactive, highly organized, and able to balance daily operations with long-term planning. The Aquatics Director works collaboratively with the Aquatics leadership team to establish priorities, develop staff, delegate responsibilities, and ensure the effective operation of the department.

The Aquatics Director works closely with branch leadership, Facilities, Association Aquatics leadership, Red Cross training staff, Membership, Camp, and other departments to provide safe, high-quality, member-focused programming. The Director also has the opportunity to grow Aquatics programming, develop future leaders, and contribute to branch and Association-wide initiatives that support the YMCA’s mission and community impact.

The Director may provide direct program or lifeguard coverage when necessary; however, the primary responsibility of the position is the leadership, management, development, and overall performance of the Aquatics Department.

CORE EXPECTATIONS AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT
• Provides overall leadership and strategic direction for Emilson Aquatics programming and operations.
• Develops, evaluates, and grows high-quality Aquatics programs based on community needs, registration trends, YMCA goals, staffing, facility capacity, and financial performance.
• Maintains year-round planning for program sessions, registration, staffing, schedules, and seasonal operations.
• Regularly reviews registrations, waitlists, program capacity, and enrollment opportunities to support program growth while maintaining quality and safety.
• Ensures accurate and timely program setup, rosters, schedules, member-facing materials, and internal communication.
• Works collaboratively with Aquatics staff responsible for swim lessons, private lessons, Red Cross programming, and other program areas while maintaining overall responsibility for department performance.
• Maintains ownership of Outdoor Aquatic Center operations and works collaboratively with Camp leadership to support camp use of the facility, including staffing, scheduling, safety, facility readiness, and communication.
2. STAFF LEADERSHIP, DEVELOPMENT & ACCOUNTABILITY
• Recruits, hires, trains, supervises, develops, coaches, evaluates, and retains full time and part-time Aquatics staff.
• Leads and develops a collaborative Aquatics leadership team, including the Assistant Aquatics Director and other full-time staff, by establishing clear responsibilities, coordinating priorities, supporting problem-solving, and maintaining shared awareness across the department.
• Conducts regular one-on-one meetings with direct reports and provides ongoing coaching, feedback, professional development, and performance support.
• Ensures staff receive appropriate onboarding, training, and opportunities for continued development.
• Delegates operational, administrative, program, and leadership responsibilities while maintaining appropriate Director-level oversight and…