POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director of Aquatics and Safety Compliance is responsible for developing, organizing, implementing, and evaluating aquatic programs and aquatics safety strategies across the YMCA of Central Florida. This role ensures that all aquatic operations, programs, and safety protocols meet the highest standards of quality, risk management, and compliance. The position serves as the technical expert and primary resource for aquatics safety, training, program development, and growth. Additionally, the Executive Director provides leadership and direct support to Family Center aquatics teams and Family Center leadership, conducts compliance and safety audits across aquatics programs, and collaborates with Association Human Resources, Risk Management, and operational leadership to align aquatics safety initiatives with the organization’s broader safety, compliance, and risk management strategies.

Association-Wide Aquatic Safety & Compliance

1. Develop, implement, and continuously improve Association-wide aquatic safety, risk management, compliance, and emergency response strategies to ensure safe, high-quality aquatic operations. 
2. Conduct aquatic safety audits, compliance reviews, and risk assessments across Family Centers, partnering with Center leadership to identify opportunities, implement corrective actions, and promote best practices. 
3. Lead the development, delivery, and oversight of aquatic safety training programs, audits, and in-service drills, certification classes, and emergency preparedness to ensure staff competency and regulatory compliance. 
4. Works with Family Centers to improve aquatic safety practices and identify best practices for risk reduction. 
5. In partnership with Human Resources, Risk Management, and Center leadership, establish systems to monitor required certifications, training records, documentation, and compliance with YMCA, state and national regulatory, and accreditation standards. 
6. Ensure the proper management of the ASHI portal, HSI and LCDC Training Center for all aquatics class registrations, trainings, and certifications for the Association.
7. Provide strategic leadership, coaching, onboarding, and professional development for Aquatics Directors while establishing consistent standards, tools, reporting, and communication across the Association. 
8. Partner with Facilities and Family Center leadership to support safe pool operations through preventative maintenance planning, inspections, and operational best practices. 
9. In partnership with Association Human Resources and Risk Management, ensures appropriate documentation and record keeping for all Association safety trainings and certifications. 
10. Develop, implement, and monitor an Aquatics Safety Plan in alignment with the Association Crisis Management Plan.   
11. Maintain roster of aquatics, CPR and First Aid trainers across the Association sufficient to meet the demand

Association Leadership & Program Excellence

1. Develop and implement Association-wide strategies to enhance aquatics program quality, innovation, consistency, and member experience. 
2. Lead Association aquatics initiatives, including the Aquatics Cabinet, strategic planning, industry specific professional development, performance reporting, and executive updates to advance organizational priorities. 
3. Monitor Association-wide aquatics staffing, recruitment, onboarding, and seasonal workforce readiness in partnership with Human Resources and Family Cener leadership. 
4. Work collaboratively with Center and Association leadership to refine standards, tools, resources, and best practices. 
5. Provide leadership through established aquatics safety training calendars, standard documentation templates, SOPs, and monthly reporting/meetings with appropriate staff as well as quarterly updates to Executive leadership.
6. Deliver or oversee lifeguard training, swim instruction, CPR, First Aid, and emergency preparedness training programs to support operational excellence and community impact. 
7. Analyze Association-wide program performance, participation, and operational metrics to identify trends, improve effectiveness, and drive continuous improvement. 
8. Supervise the Director of Drowning Prevention Initiatives and provide strategic leadership for Association-wide drowning prevention and water safety initiatives. 

20. Represent the YMCA of Central Florida with community organizations, governmental agencies, and professional aquatics associations to strengthen partnerships and advance water safety initiatives. 

Innovation & Revenue Growth

21. Develop and execute strategies to grow aquatics participation, revenue, and community impact through innovative programming, strategic partnerships, grants, subsidized programs, and new business opportunities. 

22. Monitor Association and Family Center aquatic KPIs, financial performance and key performance indicators, partnering with Family Center leadership to develop recovery plans, replicate best practices, and achieve sustainable growth.

23. Collaborate with Philanthropy to seek and manage Association-wide aquatics grants and funding opportunities

24. Maintain and develop new strategic partnerships to expand aquatics programming within and beyond YMCA walls 

25. Collaborate with Association Membership leadership to audit and grow Third Party Pay and other subsidized swim lesson programs

26. Provide strategic leadership to maintain and grow Association Swim Team programming 

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor's degree or equivalent required; Sports Management, Recreation Management, or a related field of study is a plus
2. Minimum five (5) years of experience in aquatics program management, including at least three (3) years of progressive leadership, staff supervision, safety training, certification, and fiscal management responsibilities.
3. A focus on aquatic safety and risk is a plus.   
4. Minimum three years of aquatics safety, risk management, and regulatory compliance; YMCA aquatics or operations experience preferred.
5. Strong leadership, organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, meet deadlines, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
6. Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to build collaborative relationships and effectively communicate with employees, volunteers, members, leadership, and individuals from diverse backgrounds.
7. Has ability to communicate effectively and professionally with diverse populations and all levels of management, employees, volunteers, and members.
8. Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.
9. Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, as well as, critical thinking ability.
10. Ability to meet deadlines and work in and build sustainable systems.
11. Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with Paylocity, Salesforce, or comparable HRIS and CRM systems preferred.
12. Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, and the ability to maintain confidential information.
13. Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships within the organization. 
14. Required Certifications:
15. Current CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, First Aid, Oxygen Administration, and Lifeguard certifications.
16. YMCA Lifeguard certification preferred. Red Cross Lifeguard certification accepted with YMCA certification obtained within 60 days of hire.
17. YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor certification within 60 days of hire.
18. YMCA Pool Operator on Location certification or Certified Pool Operator (CPO).
19. YMCA Lifeguard Instructor, YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor Trainer, and YMCA Aquatic Management certifications preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an 

employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable 

accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential 

functions.

1. The employee must be physically able to perform all rescue skills, including backboard rescue and deep water lift.
2. The employee must be able to perform medium work: exerting up to 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
3. Must be willing to regularly work flexible hours, weekends and holidays.
4. Must be willing to travel extensively within Central Florida. Must have valid driver’s license.
5. May be required to sit or stand for extended periods of time while demonstrating manual dexterity in order to accurately work on the phone, computer keyboard, and other equipment. 
6. May be required to work outdoors for extended periods of time. Will be exposed to extreme outdoor weather conditions and temperatures and to wet and/or humid conditions in swimming pool areas.
7. Must possess auditory, verbal and visual capabilities in order to adequately communicate via phone and in person.
8. Must possess the physical ability to perform strenuous physical tasks necessary for a professional water rescue.
9. Must be able to work with hazardous chemicals (i.e. pool chemicals, cleaning solutions, disinfectants, etc.).
10. The employee is required to have close visual acuity, along with the visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or structures. The employee is required to have visual acuity to operate motor vehicles.
11. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.  

DISCLAIMERS

1. Must complete successful background screening, which includes criminal screening.
2. All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. The YMCA promotes an equal employment opportunity work place which includes reasonable accommodation of otherwise qualified disabled applicants and employees. Please see your manager should you have any questions about this policy or these job duties.
3. This job description may not be all-inclusive and employees are expected to perform all other duties as assigned and directed by management. Job descriptions and duties may be modified when deemed appropriate by management.