Association Director of Competitive Swimming

About the role

The Greater Philadelphia YMCA is seeking an Association Director of Competitive Swimming to lead and develop our competitive swimming programs across all branches. This position offers free YMCA membership, flexible scheduling, and comprehensive benefits.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Program Development
• Provide vision, direction, and oversight for competitive swimming growth and quality across all association branches.
• Serve in an interim capacity at branches experiencing coaching vacancies.
• Develop and implement long-term strategies for athlete development, coach advancement, and team performance.
• Ensure programs reflect YMCA core values and support youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
• Responsible for program growth, member and participant satisfaction and participation.
• Responsible for the creation and administration of Swim Team budgets.
• Staff Management & Development
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate head coaches and aquatic leadership staff across the association.
• Establish performance standards, coaching philosophy, and professional development pathways for all coaching staff.
• Lead regular training, mentoring, and certification support to maintain coaching excellence and consistency.
• Program Quality & Operations
• Standardize swim team operations across branches to ensure consistency in coaching approach, safety protocols, and swimmer experience.
• Monitor and support the implementation of training plans, meet schedules, and team policies.
• Ensure compliance with association pricing as well as swim team structure.
• Ensure compliance with YMCA, USA Swimming, and SafeSport standards.
• Measure program satisfaction through the development and implementation of post-season surveys.
• Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
• Serve as the primary liaison with parents, athletes, staff, volunteers, and external organizations.
• Foster collaboration and shared best practices among branch coaches and teams.
• Manage association-wide communication for swim team programs, including newsletters, meetings, and digital platforms.
• Event & Meet Coordination
• Coordinate regional or association-wide meets, championships, and training camps.
• Represent the association at state, regional, and national swimming events and governing body meetings.
• Support meet logistics, entry processes, and volunteer coordination across the association.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Recreation, Education, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in competitive swimming, with multi-site or high-level team oversight preferred.
• Strong knowledge of USA Swimming and YMCA swimming operations and governance.
• Certified USA Swimming Coach and YMCA Swim Coach (or ability to obtain).
• Current Lifeguard, CPR/AED, First Aid, and Safety Training certifications.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Experience managing budgets, staff, and large-scale programs.

Skills

• Strategic planning and execution.
• Team management and development.
• Program evaluation and improvement.
• Communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Event coordination and management.

Benefits

• Free YMCA membership - access to all branches!
• Sweet discounts on child care and summer camp programs.
• Generous Paid Time Off + 7 paid holidays throughout the year.
• Supplemental insurance benefits.

Pay

TBD based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Flexible work schedule.

Contact

To apply, please visit our website and complete our quick, 3-minute online application. The Greater Philadelphia YMCA is an equal opportunity employer. The Y considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran or other protected classification and in accordance with applicable laws.