Aquatics Director

About the role

The Aquatics Director plays a key leadership role in advancing the YMCA’s mission to strengthen and empower communities through safe, high-quality aquatic programs. Reporting to the Executive Director and Program Executive of Aquatics, the Aquatics Director is responsible for overseeing all aquatics operations at an assigned center, including programming, safety, staffing, and member satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and evaluate aquatics programs that serve a wide range of ages and abilities, including swim lessons, lifeguard training, and water fitness classes.
• Regularly assess program effectiveness and make data-informed improvements to support member engagement and retention.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all participants and staff.
• Lead the day-to-day operations of the aquatics department, including supervision of swim instructors, lifeguards, and all front-line aquatics staff.
• Hire, train, schedule, and manage a team of aquatics employees to ensure high program quality, safety, and service.
• Cover staff check-ins, team meetings, and training sessions; provide ongoing feedback and formal performance evaluations.
• Ensure team members maintain current certifications and uphold all safety and compliance standards.
• Develop and maintain staffing plans to meet program needs and ensure full coverage for all aquatics facilities and services.
• Ensure strict adherence to local, state, and YMCA safety standards and policies.
• Conduct and oversee safety drills, facility inspections, and incident response procedures.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for certifications, incident reports, and facility operations.
• Manage payroll and approve timecards in accordance with association standards.
• Respond to member inquiries, feedback, and concerns in a timely and professional manner.
• Promote aquatics programs through internal channels and social media platforms in partnership with the marketing team.
• Collaborate with other departments to support cross-functional initiatives and center-wide programming.
• Develop and manage the aquatics department budget, including tracking revenue, controlling expenses, and forecasting future needs.
• Monitor program enrollment and adjust scheduling and staffing as needed to meet participation goals.
• Serve as a Leader on Duty or Director on Duty as assigned.
• Support YMCA initiatives such as Project SAFE and other mission-driven programming.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in aquatics or recreation management, with at least 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Proven ability to lead and manage staff, address performance issues, and build a high-functioning team.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and capable of learning scheduling or aquatics software systems.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.
• Current certifications in: Lifeguarding, Swim Instruction, CPR-PRO (BLS), First Aid, and Emergency Oxygen
• Lifeguard Instructor and Swim Instructor certifications (within 6 months of hire)
• Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certification (within 3 months of hire)
• YMCA certifications such as YSLIT and YLGIT preferred

Physical Requirements

The Aquatics Director must be able to meet the physical demands of working in and around an aquatic environment. This includes the ability to walk, stand, sit, bend, and move freely throughout the facility, as well as respond quickly to emergencies, including entering the water and performing rescues when necessary. Clear hearing and verbal communication are essential for monitoring staff, responding to safety signals or distress calls, and giving directions in a potentially loud and echo-prone environment. The role also requires the ability to lift and/or move equipment or individuals weighing up to 50 pounds. Candidates must be comfortable working in wet and humid conditions for extended periods and may occasionally be exposed to varying weather conditions during outdoor activities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

About Us

The Greater Austin YMCA is a nonprofit community enterprise with a purpose of elevating quality of life in central Texas by boldly expanding access for all children, adults, families, and seniors in our dynamically growing community. Founded in 1953 and anchored in three Central Texas counties, the Y has served close to 500,000 people and provided more than $30M in financial assistance and program subsidies over the past 10 years. We operate 8 community centers and Camp Moody, along with 6 early childhood education centers, 60 afterschool programs on school campuses in four districts, and 20 summer camps, with 1500 staff team members, 1000 volunteers, and a $48M annual operating budget.

Additional Information

The organization has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.