Youth & Family Director (Southwest)

Why Your Role Matters 

The Youth & Family Director oversees and coordinates a diverse range of programs designed to engage and inspire children, teens, and families to learn, grow, and thrive. This role manages offerings such as Gymnastics, Dance, Kids Play, Cultural & Arts Programs, Camp, and more, many of which are seasonal, ensuring each is delivered safely, creatively, and with excellence. 

A key part of this role is driving innovation: identifying opportunities to enhance programs, introduce new experiences, and engage families in meaningful ways. The Director collaborates with staff and partners to implement programs, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure a high-quality experience for all participants. By combining operational management with creative thinking, the Youth & Family Director helps programs evolve, supports staff in executing activities, and delivers experiences that foster confidence, exploration, and lasting connections for children and families. 

How You Will Make an Impact  

The member relations aspect of this position requires that relationship building be a top priority at all times, attending to the needs and requests of members, program participants, volunteers, and all people associated with the YMCA in a courteous and friendly manner. 

Performance Achievement & Results  

• Hold program teams accountable for high performance and achievement of organizational objectives. 

• Model inclusive leadership behaviors and embrace diversity in all forms. 

• Hire, coach, and manage direct reports, ensuring alignment with association people practices. 

• Implement a goal-based management approach, ensuring staff are actively working toward center-level objectives and key results. 

• Model and ensure adherence to association policies and safety protocols, with a focus on child safety. 

• Monitor and maintain all required staff certifications. 

• Promote and incorporate the YMCA five core values and attributes. 

Member Relations & Experience 

• Prioritize relationship-building with members, program participants, volunteers, and all YMCA stakeholders. 

• Respond to member and participant needs in a courteous, friendly, and professional manner. 

• Ensure all programs deliver excellent customer service and a transformative YMCA experience. 

Program Operations & Management 

• Guide, direct, and oversee current Youth and Family programs, Kids Play, and new program development. 

• Establish operating standards and program objectives to ensure quality, participant satisfaction, and growth. 

• Support marketing and promotion efforts to achieve program enrollment and engagement goals. 

• Develop and maintain maintenance programs and procedures for facilities and equipment. 

• Maintain accurate program records, including registrations and statistics. 

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations to increase YMCA visibility. 

• Develop, monitor, and manage program budgets to meet fiscal objectives, control expenses, and achieve financial targets. 

• Coordinate facility use across departments to ensure smooth execution of program activities and events. 

• Participate in fundraising initiatives, including the Annual Campaign. 

• Contribute to strategic Impact Group meetings and other organizational initiatives. 

• Complete other duties as assigned. 

What you bring to the Y  

• Proven experience overseeing diverse youth and enrichment programs such as Gymnastics, Dance, Kids Play, Cultural and Arts Programs, Camp, and other seasonal offerings, ensuring each is delivered safely, creatively, and with excellence. 

• Minimum of 2 years of demonstrated supervisory experience. 

• Project management experience, including planning, execution, and evaluation of multi-phase or seasonal initiatives. 

• Experience developing and managing seasonal and year-round programs. 

• Strong knowledge of child and youth development, inclusive programming, and community engagement. 

• Ability to innovate, problem-solve, and enhance program offerings. 

• Bilingual (Spanish/English) strongly preferred. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word, and Outlook. 

• Ability to apply knowledge of accounting and finance basics. 

• You’re a Cause-Driven Leader – You are effective at: 

• Advancing our mission and cause – providing visionary leadership to ensure resources are mobilized to adapt to new challenges and needs in the community. 

• Building relationships – connecting people to the Y’s cause by developing inclusive relationships, partnerships, and collaborations to co-create solutions to pressing social needs. 

• Leading operations – ensuring relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability of the organization so we can continue to fulfill our promise to the community. 

• Developing and inspiring people – supporting the holistic development of self and others so everyone can embrace the Y’s cause, sustain our culture, and inspire others to action. 

• You are action-oriented and focus on results - You easily take on new opportunities and challenges with a sense of urgency and a solutions-oriented mindset. You have a record of consistently achieving results.  

• You are a strong communicator – You are skilled at developing and delivering communications and messaging that convey a clear understanding of the needs of different audiences.  

• You are a relationship builder - You build close and good-natured relationships with people from all walks of life.  

• You embrace change – You are energized when faced with ambiguity and uncertainty. You adapt quickly to changing conditions.  

• You cultivate innovation – You are adept at creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful  

• You build effective teams – building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.  

• You foster a culture of inclusion and belonging - You leverage people’s differences as strengths.   

• You possess a high EQ - You have a high degree of emotional intelligence and the ability to quickly access and compose oneself in stressful or tense situations. 

• You lead by influence – You are able to have an impact on the behavior, attitudes, and choices of others. 

Physical Requirements: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, talk and occasionally lift and/or move items, including equipment, furniture and/or children. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions