Head Coach- Competitive Swimming

About the role

Under the supervision of the Associate Executive Branch Director, the Head Coach of Competitive Swimming leads all aspects of a year-round competitive swim program, including coaching, athlete development, staff leadership, and program operations. This role is responsible for delivering a high-quality, mission-driven program that develops athletes at every level while ensuring effective scheduling, meet execution, communication, and financial oversight.

Qualifications

• Minimum age of 18
• 3–5+ years of competitive swim coaching experience, including program leadership and administration
• Strong knowledge of competitive swimming techniques, athlete development, and training progression
• Demonstrated ability to lead staff, manage team operations, and oversee practices and meets
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills
• Ability to build relationships with swimmers, families, staff, and community partners
• Experience with TeamUnify, SportsEngine, Meet Manager, or similar systems preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 or similar tools

Responsibilities

• Transformative Experience: Creates a positive, athlete-centered environment that supports development, retention, and team culture; fosters a safe, inclusive, and disciplined experience for swimmers and families
• Program Leadership & Athlete Development: Designs and implements training plans for all practice groups; leads practices and develops athletes from beginner through advanced levels; establishes performance goals and monitors progression
• Operational & Administrative Excellence: Oversees all day-to-day operational and administrative functions of the program; manages scheduling, staffing, registrations, communication, and recordkeeping; ensures adherence to YMCA systems (including TeamUnify/SportsEngine), policies, and procedures
• Program Growth & Integration: Supports recruitment through swim lessons and youth programs; collaborates with Aquatics and Marketing to grow participation; evaluates program effectiveness and implements improvements; manages team communication platforms and public presence
• Meet Management & Events: Develops and manages meet schedules, entries, and competition strategy; leads planning and execution of hosted and co-hosted meets; coordinates facilities, officials, volunteers, and meet logistics; ensures compliance with sanctioning, safety, and financial requirements
• Staff Leadership & Development: Recruits, hires, trains, and supervises coaching staff; provides clear expectations, feedback, and ongoing development; ensures staff meet certification and compliance requirements
• Safety Compliance & Risk Management: Ensures compliance with YMCA Competitive Sports Rules, USA Swimming, and SafeSport requirements; maintains certification and screening requirements for staff and volunteers; enforces supervision standards and safe practices at all times
• Volunteer Management & Oversight: Recruits, organizes, and supports parent and community volunteers; ensures all volunteers meet YMCA and USA Swimming safety, training, certification, and membership requirements; oversees compliance with YMCA Child Abuse Prevention, Code of Conduct, and SafeSport-Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies; assigns and coordinates volunteer roles for practices, meets, and team events; communicates expectations for volunteer participation, including service hours per family (if applicable)
• Financial Stewardship & Program Accountability: Manages program budget, revenue, expenses, and meet fees; ensures all financial activity is processed through YMCA-approved systems; maintains documentation for audit and financial compliance
• Family, Community Engagement & Mission Advancement: Builds and sustains strong relationships with swimmers, families, and community partners; ensures clear, consistent communication of program expectations, updates, and performance; drives parent involvement, volunteer engagement, and community participation; serves as an ambassador for the YMCA and promotes program growth; integrates YMCA mission and core values into all aspects of program delivery, leadership, and decision-making

Required Certifications

• Safety Training for Swim Coaches (STSC)
• CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer
• First Aid
• Child Protection / SafeSport Training
• Principles of YMCA Competitive Swimming and Diving
• Background screening in accordance with YMCA policy
• Active YMCA coach registration and compliance with YMCA Competitive Sports, USA Swimming, and SafeSport requirements
• Ability to maintain all certifications required for on-deck eligibility

Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

• Inclusion – Creates a welcoming, respectful, and equitable environment for all
• Communication & Influence – Communicates clearly and effectively while building trust and engagement
• Developing Self & Others – Develops staff and fosters a high-performing, accountable team
• Critical Thinking & Decision Making – Uses sound judgment to make informed decisions and manage risk
• Program / Project Management – Ensures program execution meets expected outcomes
• Fiscal Management – Manages resources responsibly and supports financial sustainability