Director Innovation Jobs in Rhode Island (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

The Regional Aquatics Director provides leadership and oversight for high-quality aquatic programs across multiple YMCA locations, currently serving the East Side (40%) and Cranston (60%) branches. This role is responsible for the safe, effective, and consistent delivery of aquatics programming, including swim lessons, recreational swimming, water fitness, and swim teams.

The Regional Aquatics Director leads aquatics staff teams, ensures regulatory compliance and risk management, manages program budgets, and supports program growth that meets community needs. This position provides cross-branch coordination, staff development, and operational consistency while serving as a cause-driven leader who champions the YMCA mission and values.

5 Core Areas of Responsibility

1. Aquatics Program Leadership & Growth
   Provide strategic oversight of aquatics programs across multiple branches, ensuring high-quality, member-focused offerings that meet community needs while identifying opportunities for program growth and innovation.
2. Safety, Risk Management & Regulatory Compliance
   Ensure all aquatic operations comply with YMCA policies and state and local health and safety regulations, maintaining consistent standards for water quality, emergency procedures, staff readiness, and facility safety.
3. Staff Leadership & Development
   Recruit, train, supervise, and develop aquatics staff across assigned branches, ensuring appropriate staffing levels, current certifications, and a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
4. Operational & Financial Management
   Manage aquatics budgets, monitor financial and participation performance, and oversee operational systems to ensure efficient, sustainable, and consistent program delivery across sites.
5. Community Engagement & YMCA Alignment
   Build partnerships with schools and community organizations, support YMCA fundraising initiatives, and represent the YMCA mission and values through relationship-building, communication, and Association-wide collaboration.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee daily aquatic operations across assigned branches, ensuring appropriate staffing coverage, schedules, and program continuity.
• Monitor pool conditions, water chemistry, equipment, and facilities, coordinating with maintenance teams to address repairs and safety concerns.
• Conduct regular site visits to observe programs, support staff, and ensure consistent operational standards.
• Provide direct instruction or lifeguarding coverage as needed to support safe and effective operations.
• Maintain accurate records related to staffing, certifications, safety compliance, incidents, and program participation.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with members, parents, participants, and staff regarding schedules, program updates, and operational issues.
• Implement and monitor standard operating procedures across branches to promote consistency and quality.
• Prepare reports and documentation related to aquatics operations, safety, staffing, and performance for supervisors and leadership.
• Participate in required meetings, trainings, and Association-wide initiatives.
• Serve as a staff liaison to aquatics-related committees or advisory groups as assigned.
• Support YMCA fundraising events and the Annual Support Campaign through participation and staff engagement.
• Model YMCA values and relationship-building skills, including caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
• Exercise sound judgment and manage conflict effectively in interactions with staff, members, and community partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support branch and Association priorities.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor's Degree (BA) from a four-year college or university, or one to two years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Current Lifeguarding certificate required. Lifeguard Instructor preferred.
• Five to eight years of management experience in Aquatic related fields. (Y management experience preferable.)
• At least 5-7 years of experience as a lifeguard and swim instructor

Certifications / Training:

Physical Demands:
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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.