Director of Competitive Swimming at YMCA Of South Hampton Roads – Chesapeake, Virginia

OUR CULTURE:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger, beginning with you.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Competitive Swimming provides leadership and oversight for the YMCA of South Hampton Road’s competitive swimming program across the association. This role is responsible for building and standardizing the structure of our swim teams, ensuring program excellence, building credibility and reputation, and driving growth in enrollment and revenue. The Director will mentor and support site coaches, ensuring consistency and alignment with YMCA values, standards, and long-term goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Association Responsibilities:

• Develop programming and training to build a high-caliber Association swim team with a goal of achieving local, regional, and national recognition levels.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a standardized swim team structure, best practices, and procedures across all locations, ensuring compliance with all local and national YMCA policies, USA Swimming regulations, and all safety standards.
• Advise family association center swim coaches; provide training and professional development opportunities to ensure program consistency and quality.
• Responsible for the recordkeeping and maintenance of required certifications, officials, and volunteers, ensuring compliance with Association volunteer practices and clearance processes through Risk Management.
• Lead efforts to grow swim team enrollment and increase program revenue in alignment with association goals.
• Responsible for tracking program performance, enrollment trends, and adhering to budget goals; providing regular reporting and updates to the Senior Vice President of Operations.
• Plan and execute competitive aquatic events, including swim team travel arrangements, scheduling, transportation, lodging, and staff/volunteer supervision in accordance with YMCA policies and safety standards.
• Provide leadership through established performance goals and standards, conducting regular assessments, training, and reviews of the swim team coaching staff.
• Identify and implement best practices in systems and technology to support effective management of swim team programming.
• Create thorough, age-appropriate workouts focusing on technique, endurance, stroke development, drills, and within the YMCA guidelines or as directed by the Senior Vice President of Operations.
• Manage all administration of the GBH/GBF team as assigned, including swim meet arrangements, entry assignments, and registrations
• Maintain open communication with parents and promote an environment that focuses on the development of the swimmer and cultivates relationships that create a collaborative swim team environment within YMCA philosophy, rules, guidelines, and policies
• Coordinate and run swim team competitions, meet registrations, and record maintenance as designated.
• Attend all swim team events, parent meetings, and special events
• Follows all YMCA policies, rules, regulations, best practices, and procedures, including emergency and safety procedures. Completes incident and accident reports as necessary.
• Assists in all areas as assigned and completes assignments as directed by the supervisor.

Center Responsibilities:

• Lead the Great Bridge and Greenbrier YMCA swim teams. Create thorough, age-appropriate workouts that focus on technique, endurance, stroke development, and drills, in accordance with YMCA guidelines. Administer all record-keeping and practice plans.
• Lead structured practices during assigned times at the Great Bridge and Greenbrier YMCA, with best practices as outlined in YMCA and national certifications
• Manage all administration of the GBH/GBF team as assigned, including swim meet arrangements, entry assignments, and registrations
• Trains and oversees assistant coaches for GBH/GBF, and volunteers as assigned.
• Conveys information on aquatics programs and schedules, and as appropriate refers students and parents to other programs.
• Attends staff meetings and trainings as scheduled.
• Maintains a clean and safe environment for swim team participants;
• Builds effective, authentic relationships with swimmers and parents; helps them connect with each other and the YMCA. Encourages parent involvement and identifies potential volunteers.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 2+ years of experience leading a swim team; multi-site swim team leadership is a plus.
• Current USA Swimming Coach Certification preferred.
• Current Lifeguard certification required or able to complete within 90 days.
• Current CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, First Aid, and Oxygen Administration certifications required or within 90 days.
• Experience with swim meet and team management software, such as SwimTopia, preferred.
• YMCA Principles of Competitive Swimming & Diving and Red Cross Safety Training for Swim Coaches required within 90 days of employment.
• Excellent organization, problem-solving, analytical skills, and critical thinking ability.
• Must be self-directed and able to work effectively and with minimal supervision.

Requirements:

• Must demonstrate swimming skills at a minimum of a Stage 6 proficiency and in accordance with YMCA standards and have a strong foundation in stroke mechanics and be able to communicate effectively with swimmers and parents
• 2+ years experience as competitive swimmer preferred
• 2+ years coaching experience preferred
• At least 18 years of age.

Physical Demands

• Ability to instruct, observe, and demonstrate to participants proper stroke and competitive swim techniques
• Ability to lift and pull equipment 50 pounds, and to lift a small to average size child.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Must be in good physical condition to teach classes
• Must have ability to work inside and outside (i.e. humidity, hot, cold, inclement weather conditions)
• Must have ability to concentrate in a loud environment

BACKGROUND CHECKS:

An offer of employment is contingent upon receipt of satisfactory results to meet minimum requirements of the position. They may include criminal background and reference checks, E-Verify, drug test, driver’s license record, and/or a Child Protective Services Check (CPS). Additional driver’s license check, CPS, criminal background check, alcohol, and/or drug testing may be required to be processed in the future in order to meet and/or maintain the requirements of this position.