Swim Instructor (Advanced Level) - Arnold (Greater Annapolis)

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POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Youth & Family Services Program Director provides strategic and operational leadership for youth and family programs within assigned Y Family Centers. This position is responsible for developing high-quality programs, leading and developing associates, managing program performance and budgets, ensuring child safety and regulatory compliance, and creating experiences that strengthen the connection between children, families, and the Y.

The Program Director has primary leadership responsibility for Stay & Play and other assigned youth and family experiences. This includes ensuring safe and engaging environments, appropriate staffing and supervision, effective family communication, clean and well-maintained program spaces, and consistent implementation of Y child protection and risk management practices. 

As a member of the Family Center leadership team, the Program Director collaborates across departments to strengthen member engagement, retention, and the overall family experience while ensuring programs remain responsive to the needs of the communities served.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Program Strategy & Youth Development

• Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate youth and family programs that align with the Y's mission, strategic priorities, and positive youth development practices.

• Develop age-appropriate, engaging programs and experiences that support children's social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative development.

• Identify opportunities to enhance or expand youth and family programming based on community needs, participation trends, member feedback, and Family Center priorities.

• Establish goals and performance measures for assigned programs and monitor progress toward participation, quality, engagement, and retention objectives.

• Create opportunities for children and families to build relationships, develop a sense of belonging, and deepen their connection to the Y.

Stay & Play Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and accountability for Stay & Play operations within assigned Family Centers.

• Ensure Stay & Play provides a safe, welcoming, clean, and engaging environment for children while their parents or guardians participate in activities within the Family Center.

• Ensure consistent implementation of active supervision, child protection, sign-in/sign-out, behavior guidance, emergency response, risk management, and safety procedures.

• Develop and maintain staffing schedules that ensure appropriate coverage and supervision.

• Recruit, train, coach, and develop Stay & Play associates to deliver positive experiences for children and families.

• Ensure associates actively engage children through age-appropriate play, games, activities, and relationship-building experiences.

• Monitor program spaces, toys, materials, and equipment to ensure they are clean, disinfected, organized, safe, and developmentally appropriate.

• Review attendance records, communication reports, incident reports, and other program documentation and take appropriate action when concerns are identified.

• Respond to family questions, concerns, incidents, and service recovery needs in a timely and professional manner.

• Regularly observe Stay & Play operations and use family feedback, participation data, and program observations to improve quality and consistency.

Child Safety & Risk Management

• Champion a culture in which child safety is a visible and shared priority across all youth and family programs.

• Ensure associates consistently follow Y child protection, active supervision, mandatory reporting, behavior guidance, and risk management requirements.

• Monitor program operations for potential safety or compliance concerns and take appropriate corrective action.

• Ensure incidents, injuries, child protection concerns, and unusual situations are appropriately documented, reported, reviewed, and addressed.

• Maintain compliance with applicable licensing requirements, Y standards, and local or state regulations.

• Ensure all required associate certifications, clearances, and trainings remain current.

Associate Leadership & Development

• Recruit, hire, onboard, supervise, coach, evaluate, and develop youth and family program associates.

• Establish clear performance expectations and hold associates accountable for safety, program quality, engagement, and service standards.

• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, recognition, and professional development.

• Develop staffing plans and associate schedules that support program needs, participant safety, and budget expectations.

• Address performance or conduct concerns promptly and in partnership with Human Resources and Family Center leadership as appropriate.

• Build a positive, collaborative, inclusive, and accountable team culture.

• Identify high-potential associates and support career development and succession planning.

Family & Member Experience

• Create welcoming and inclusive experiences that help children and families feel safe, supported, and connected to the Y.

• Build relationships with families and maintain regular communication regarding programs, experiences, opportunities, and concerns.

• Respond to member and participant feedback in a timely, professional, and solution-focused manner.

• Collaborate with Membership Services to connect families with programs and services that support their needs and strengthen retention.

• Maintain a visible leadership presence throughout assigned program areas and Family Centers.

Operational & Financial Management

• Develop, manage, and monitor assigned program budgets and financial performance.

• Monitor enrollment, participation, staffing, payroll, purchasing, supplies, and other expenses and make adjustments as necessary.

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