Competitive Swimming Director

Job Description

The Competitive Swimming Director provides leadership and management for the YMCA’s competitive swim program in accordance with YMCA of the USA, USA Swimming, and Central Connecticut Coast YMCA standards. This position oversees coaching staff, athlete development, team administration, swim meets, and program operations while building positive relationships with swimmers, families, volunteers, and the YMCA community.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of experience coaching a competitive swim program.
• Proven experience managing competitive swimming programs and teaching stroke technique to swimmers of varying ages and abilities.
• Advanced knowledge of the practical, theoretical, and psychological principles of competitive swimming.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, supervise, evaluate, and support staff and volunteers.
• Strong leadership, communication, planning, and organizational skills.
• Ability to build a positive team culture while supporting both recreational and highly committed competitive athletes.
• Active participation in local, regional, or national swim coaching organizations preferred.

Essential Functions

• Lead, develop, and oversee the competitive swim program in alignment with YMCA values, policies, and competitive swimming standards.
• Recruit, train, supervise, schedule, coach, and evaluate swim team staff.
• Plan and administer team tryouts, practices, training plans, swim meets, clinics, and team-building activities.
• Develop the annual swim team budget and marketing plan in coordination with the Executive Director.
• Maintain accurate swimmer records, including skills, times, achievements, recognition, and certifications.
• Cook up meet schedules and logistics with coaching staff, volunteers, families, officials, and the parent committee.
• Supervise swim meets, warm-ups, practices, and events while ensuring compliance with all aquatic health and safety requirements.
• Cook up practice schedules with the Aquatics Director to support both swim team and member programming.
• Build positive relationships with swimmers and families and provide athletes with consistent motivation, guidance, and development.
• Maintain regular office hours and communicate effectively with coaching staff, swimmers, parents, volunteers, and YMCA leadership.
• Support branch initiatives and community events, including Healthy Kids Day, open houses, and the Annual Campaign.
• Follow and enforce all YMCA policies and procedures, including emergency response, aquatic safety, and child abuse prevention requirements.

Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

• Communication & Influence
• Emotional Maturity
• Inclusion
• Developing Self & Others
• Functional Expertise Required

Certifications

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Current Lifeguarding, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, AED, Emergency Oxygen, ASCA, and YMCA coaching certifications.
• Safety Training for Swim Coaches certification completed within the first 30 days of employment.
• Safe Sport training completed within the first 90 days of employment.
• Ability to enter and remain in the water for extended periods and successfully complete required aquatic proficiency testing.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes early mornings, evenings, weekends, swim meets, and team events.