Director, Youth & Family Programs - West Park YMCA

About the role

At the Y, our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Join our Greater Cleveland YMCA team in living our cause and helping to provide quality, safe and healthy programs and services in our community. The Director of Youth/Family programs leads and supervises the pathway/child care and teens departments, develops and implements high‑quality youth, teen, and family programs (e.g., Leaders Club, Achievers, Youth In Government, Model UN, Teen Café), and directs the YMCA Core Teen Leadership programs.

Responsibilities

• Ensures programs and services meet community needs by supervising existing activities, establishing new ones, and expanding programs as needed; assists in marketing and distribution of program information.
• Recruits and hires diverse staff and volunteer teams; onboards and develops them for success.
• Models relationship‑building skills; develops and maintains collaborative relationships with community organizations; maintains regular, clear, and concise communication.
• Manages the program, including developing and monitoring the program budget to meet fiscal objectives; compiling program statistics to monitor effectiveness and participation; overseeing facility scheduling.
• Collaborates with YMCA leadership and fund development staff to identify funding opportunities for program sustainability.
• Develops, manages, and maintains relationships with school administration, parent groups, and other organizations and agencies related to program areas.
• Supervises employees in assigned accountabilities; monitors program operation, scheduling, and verifies time sheets and actual hours worked.
• Ensures YMCA program standards are met and safety procedures are followed at all times.
• Serves as Cause Driven Leader on Duty (CDLOD) during scheduled shifts.
• Adheres to Bloodborne Pathogen standards and attends annual training.
• Ensures all classes are taught in accordance with YMCA of Cleveland standards and guidelines.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree preferred; alternatively, an Associate’s Degree in a related field plus 2‑3 years of related work experience, or a High School diploma/GED plus 4‑6 years of related work experience.

Experience: Minimum 2 years’ experience in supervision of customer service and/or program management preferred; minimum 2 years’ programming experience required.

Certification & Requirements: CPR and First Aid certification and safety training must be obtained within 30 days of hire.

Technical Skills & Knowledge:

• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups across social and economic segments.
• Ability to motivate management‑level staff to accomplish organizational goals.
• Ability to create and deliver innovative program/marketing strategies.
• Demonstrated strong customer service skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of software packages and ability to analyze financial information.
• Self‑motivated team player.
• Commitment to the YMCA mission, cause, values, and ethics.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions.
• Willingness and ability to be a mandated reporter for signs or suspicion of child abuse and neglect (complete Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect form, call 696‑Kids, notify supervisor, branch executive, risk management, and HR).

Physical Demands:

• Regular use of a computer for extended periods; ability to communicate via computer and phone/smart device.
• Frequent sitting and reaching; ability to move around the work environment.
• Occasional lifting/moving of up to 10 pounds.
• Required vision abilities: close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

• Ability to work in a moderate to noisy environment.
• Ability to multitask in a changing environment.
• May be required to work outside and occasionally encounter inclement weather.

Benefits

Eligible employees receive a free membership to the local YMCA and discounts on YMCA programs (including childcare; part‑time positions do not receive childcare discount). Additional employee discounts are available at many local establishments. A comprehensive Benefits Plan includes Health, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Plan, Retirement (9% paid by the YMCA of Greater Cleveland), and paid vacation.