Sports Program Director

The A.E. Finley YMCA and YMCA of the Triangle is seeking to hire a sports program director! 
Job Description

The Sports Program Director I is responsible for leading and growing programs that reflect the YMCA’s mission and serve community needs. This role includes supervising and developing part-time staff and volunteers, managing program operations and budgets, and ensuring a positive and high-quality experience for participants. The Program Coordinator also builds partnerships with community organizations and supports outreach, marketing, and fundraising initiatives to strengthen engagement and impact.

Qualifications
  • Degree in related field preferred and 1+ year of related experience.
  • Passion for building community and fostering meaningful relationships through programs and services.
  • Experience supporting program delivery and staff development in a team-based environment.
  • Ability to coordinate staff, programs, and schedules effectively in a dynamic setting.
  • Strong communication skills, including written, verbal, and public-facing interactions.
  • Demonstrates initiative, sound judgment, and strong organizational and time-management skills.
  • Builds inclusive, mission-driven relationships with youth, families, and community members from diverse backgrounds.
  • Bilingual or multilingual skills preferred, but not required.
Essential Functions

Program Leadership 

  • Maintain consistent daily presence in programs to support quality, safety, and staff oversight, following association-specific expectations for direct service coverage and onsite visitation.
  • Launch new programs and grow existing ones in alignment with strategic goals and participant interests.
  • Coordinate facility use and logistics to support smooth program delivery and engaging events.
  • Manage daily participant records by using program software to track attendance and verify and track essential information. 

Staff Development 

  • Recruit, train, schedule, and support part-time staff and volunteers to build a trong, inclusive team.
  • Provide regular feedback and coaching to help staff grow and succeed. 
  • Motivate your team to meet goals and create a positive, mission-driven work culture. 

Community Engagement & Outreach 

  • Build partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and other organizations to strengthen program impact and visibility.
  • Support outreach, marketing, and registration efforts to promote programs and ensure access for all.
  • Review scholarship applications to help remove barriers to participation. 

Fiscal Stewardship 

  • Develop and manage program budgets to meet financial goals and use resources responsibly. 
  • Contribute to the YMCA Annual Campaign by leading volunteer teams, supporting fundraising events, and achieving an individual fundraising goal that advances the branch’s overall target. 

Program Experience 

  • Build strong relationships with members, families, and staff through positive, responsive communication.
  • Address questions and concerns in a timely and professional manner.
  • Track program data to evaluate success, improve experiences, and celebrate progress.
  • Maintain a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, to meet program and organizational needs.  

Additional Responsibilities 

  • Take on other duties as assigned to support the YMCA’s mission and evolving priorities.
  • This job description may be modified when appropriate by Human Resources. 

PROGRAM SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Develops, promotes and delivers high-quality sports programs serving members, volunteers and program participants with an intentional focus on relationships, engagement and skill development.  
  • Supports the overall vision for youth, sports, branch, and association initiatives.  
  • Leads and manages all youth sports activities and collaborates with wellness director regarding gym schedules.  
  • Certification Requirements (must obtain within 30 days of starting and maintain throughout employment): CPRO, Basic First Aid, Administering Emergency Oxygen