Association Swim Director (HIRED)

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Salary range:
$47,607 – $59,509

Overview:
Under the direction of the Association Director of Program Development / Risk, the Association Swim Director will act as the business line leader and will oversee the development, administration, and supervision of the Swim function for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte. In addition, this role will influence the development of new safety strategies & policies for the branches, leadership development and program growth, and providing direct leadership to the Safety Around Water (SAW) program. Programs will include branch swim programs, association swim programs, and SAW.

Responsibilities:
• Provide direct leadership to  the development and implementation of swim safety strategies, policies, initiatives, and programs into YMCA operations.
• Provide direct operational leadership to the YMCA Safety Around Water (SAW) program to promote drowning prevention.
• Full authority over disciplinary decisions up to and including termination of staff and swim facility closures as it relates to safety.
• Provide leadership support to the swim directors in the areas of program development, staff training, program quality standards, audits, and resource development.
• Full autonomy and responsibility with respect to fundraising and budget allocations.
• Complete ownership for identifying, nurturing, and managing vendor relationships with swim suppliers, apartment communities, and corporate partnerships.
• Authority to negotiate and bind contracts with vendors and community partners without prior approval.
• Lead projects for the swim program across the association i.e. developing an adaptive swim lesson program, partnering with local universities to implement lifeguarding as a course, develop a new  safety audit process, establish a single vendor for pool chemical purchasing, etc.
• Fully responsible for recruiting/hiring/firing SAW staff (seasonal), conducting the initial and ongoing trainings, and evaluating staff to ensure quality instruction occurs throughout the program.
• Promote high quality instruction for SAW participants as shown through program evaluations/swimmer assessments.
• Work with branch directors to develop and grow swim programs and identify best practices.
• Lead swim related risk management strategies and audits, emergency procedures, readiness audits and staff orientation/onboarding.
• Lead new association-wide trainings and ensure the quality and implementation of branch in-service training.
• Provide support, expertise, and guidance to branch executives and swim staff including interim leadership support to branches in transition of a swim director.
• Assists in the hiring and onboarding process of branch swim leadership positions.
• Ensure all YMCA of Greater Charlotte swim staff maintain current certifications in all safety and risk awareness trainings.
• Develop and maintain relationships with comparable organizations to position the YMCA as a world-class leader in the area of swim program development.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications departments to respond to media requests, write articles, and participate in speaking engagement events to promote the YMCA swim program.
• Collaborate with the Financial Development department to research and write grants to increase funding for swim programs.
• Research and engage in continuing education to stay current in program trends and development.

YMCA competencies (Team Leader):
• Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Y’s values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to improving lives.  Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivates relationships to support fundraising.
• Collaboration: Champions inclusion activities, strategies and initiatives.  Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance and support.
• Operational Effectiveness: Provides others with frameworks for making decisions.  Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress.
• Personal Growth: Shares new insights. Facilitates change; models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

Minimum requirements: 
• Four year college degree.
• Minimum 7-10 years of professional experience with proven success in leading the administration, management, supervision, program development/ planning of a swim department.
• Must be able to supervise and direct swim trainings; recruit, train and evaluate part-time swim staff and volunteers.
• Required current certifications: CPR and AED for the Professional Rescuer, Oxygen Administration, First Aid.
• Current YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor certification & YMCA Lifeguard certification, Pool Operator (CPO), or equivalent.
• Must complete YMCA Swim Lesson Trainer &  Lifeguard Trainer within 3 months of hire.
• Must present a professional image, and have excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills in creating and sustaining a multitude of trusting relationships with members, volunteers, staff and community leaders/officials.
• Highly organized with superior people management skills and conflict resolution skills.
• Proven ability to demonstrate initiative, sound judgment and independent decision making.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills  (both oral and written).
• Demonstrated experience with developing, monitoring, and managing a budget.
• Ability to be a catalyst for program growth, quality and innovation processes.
• Strong coaching skills.
• Experience with swim program quality and innovation processes.
• Proven ability to make decisions independently.
• Proven experience developing and implementing short and long-term plans with a high degree of quality and success.

Working conditions:
• Ability to work in excess of a 40-hour week with irregular work hours.
• Ability to walk, stand, and sit (including on the floor) for long periods of time.
• Exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids.
• Must be able to lift and/or assist children up to 50 pounds in weight.
• Must be able to lift and carry food and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to stand or sit while maintaining alertness for several hours at a time.
• Position may require bending, leaning, kneeling, and walking.
• Ability to speak concisely and effectively communicate.
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency.
• Ability to view/enter data for long periods of time.