REGIONAL YOUTH SERVICES & ATHLETICS DIRECTOR

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Regional Youth Services and Athletics Director plays a key leadership role in advancing the YMCA’s mission in Sampson County by providing oversight and strategic direction for youth and teen programs—including afterschool, summer day camp, youth athletics, and family-focused events. This role is responsible for the design, implementation, and expansion of high-quality programs that reflect the YMCA’s values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and faith.

This position will also help develop new community partnerships, engage families, and ensure programs are delivered safely and effectively. As YMCA programming grows in Sampson County, this role will serve as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and community impact.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Program Oversight & Quality

• Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of youth and family programs in Sampson County—including afterschool, summer camp, youth athletics, and emerging initiatives.
• Plans, organizes, and evaluates all programmatic elements such as curriculum, weekly themes, field trips, family nights, and special events
• Ensures all programs meet YMCA standards for safety, curriculum fidelity, and child development best practices.

Staff Leadership

• Hires, trains, and supervises all program staff and youth counselors. Provides ongoing coaching, conducts evaluations, and ensures compliance with YMCA policies.
• Maintains program rosters and ensures staff are aware of all child-specific needs, such as allergies, medical plans, and IEPs.
• Oversees systems for child safety and supervision, including incident reporting, ongoing staff observations, and professional development.

Athletics Leadership

• Directs youth athletic programming including scheduling, practice/game coordination, coach recruitment, and field maintenance.
• Leads seasonal planning, staff onboarding, and parent communications to ensure a positive, inclusive, and values-driven sports experience.
• Supports expansion of athletic offerings and partnerships, working to establish and grow community-based leagues.

Community Engagement & Growth

• Builds strong relationships with parents, schools, churches, and other community partners. Represents the YMCA at events and cultivates trust with families and stakeholders.
• Collaborates with the marketing team to promote programs through schools, events, and community networks.
• Assists in growing additional programs such as:

- Leaders Club

- Preschool Programs

- Youth & Government

- Tutoring Programs

- Family Nights

Budget & Administrative Management

• Supports the development and management of the annual program budget. Ensures expense control and collection of outstanding program fees.
• Maintains all required documentation including attendance records, CACFP and SFSP reports, incident reports, and behavior logs.
• Oversees inventory and purchasing for all sites while managing costs within budget.

Mission Advancement

• Communicates effectively and positively with families, ensuring transparency around child behavior and program updates. Hosts parent conferences and fosters volunteer engagement.
• Supports and participates in the YMCA’s Annual Campaign by building relationships and sharing the impact of the Y’s charitable work.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the success of the Youth Services branch and the greater YMCA mission.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor’s degree in education, recreation, or a related field.

2. Minimum of 3 years of youth development experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory capacity.

3. Must be at least 21 years old.

4. CPR, First Aid, AED certification (or obtained within 30 days of hire).

5. Child Abuse Prevention training before hire.

6. Ability to plan and implement developmentally appropriate youth programming.

7. Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

8. Experience working with diverse populations and ability to foster positive relationships with children and families.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, or lift.
• Must be able to lift equipment up to 50 pounds.
• Requires ability to supervise indoor and outdoor activities, sometimes in varying weather conditions.
• Must be able to participate in active youth programming when needed.

YMCA SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:
CPR & First Aid – Must be able to complete and maintain certification in CPR and First Aid; able to assist individuals in need until professional help arrives.

Emergency Response – Ability to quickly identify emergency situations (medical, fire, environmental, etc.) and respond appropriately following established procedures.

Incident Management – Required to report all safety incidents and hazards immediately and accurately to supervisors.

Safe Environment – Commitment to maintaining a safe, clean, and hazard-free environment for all staff, members, and participants.

Physical Readiness – Must be able to perform physical tasks related to safety, including assisting individuals of various ages and physical abilities.

Compliance – Follow all YMCA safety protocols, OSHA standards, and state/local regulations as applicable.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: The YMCA provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. If you require accommodation to complete the application process or to perform essential job functions, please contact Human Resources.

JOB TITLE: REGIONAL YOUTH SERVICES & ATHLETICS DIRECTOR

LOCATION: Sampson County YMCA

POSITION TYPE: Full Time

FLSA: Non-Exempt

PAY RATE: $22.14 - $27.67 / Hour

REVISION DATE: 5/7/2026

Equal Opportunity Employer: The YMCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve.