Job Description

Why Your Role Matters

The Youth Development Director plays a key role in shaping safe, high-quality afterschool and camp experiences that support the growth, confidence, and well-being of youth in our community. This role ensures programs are delivered with excellence while continuously improving outcomes for participants and families. By building strong relationships with school partners, parents, staff, and community stakeholders, this leader creates a foundation of trust and collaboration that drives program success. Operating with a high level of independence, the Youth Development Director oversees daily operations, including staffing, training, curriculum delivery, and participant experience. In partnership with senior leaders, this role helps align efforts across the organization to expand access, strengthen program quality, and deliver meaningful impact in the lives of youth and the broader community.

How You Will Make an Impact 

Performance Achievement & Results 

• Hold the team accountable for achieving at high levels to meet strategic goals and objectives. 
• Model inclusive leadership behaviors and embrace all dimensions of diversity by building strong teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to our mission. 
• Responsible for hiring, coaching, and managing all direct reports and ensuring alignment with the association's people practices for all positions within their organizational structure. 
• Conduct Check-ins with direct reports to ensure progress with strategic goals, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and discuss development opportunities. 
• Implement a goal-based leadership approach and ensure the department is actively working towards supporting organizational objectives, deliverables, and outcomes.

Program Operations & Compliance

• Oversees daily program operations in at least 9 childcare sites, ensuring that staff adhere to and exceed all state, local, and Y health and safety regulations through daily monitoring of programs.
• Continuously evaluates the quality of assigned programs, ensuring consistent curriculum delivery while identifying opportunities to improve programming and support staff development.
• Ensures program operations are in compliance with childcare regulation standards and Texas Rising Star certification.
• Responsible for ensuring that all program-related paperwork is current, accurate, and submitted in a timely fashion.
• Adhere to policies and procedures in a proactive manner, making the safety and care of children your primary focus.

Program Growth & Participant Engagement

• Oversees summer on-site experiences and coordinates field trip logistics, along with campaign and fundraising efforts.
• Leads recruitment and retention of children enrolled in programs.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Ensure new staff have the necessary support, guidance, and mentoring to fulfill their job responsibilities.
• Proactively identify opportunities to enhance employee development and staff retention.
• Participates in the development and delivery of staff training, including classroom and virtual presentations.
• Monitor and approve weekly schedules and payroll in adherence with program budgets.
• Actively participate in all aspects of staff development, including team meetings, pre-service trainings, and at least an additional 15 hours of training during the school year.

Relationship Management & Collaboration

• Serve as a professional and engaging representative of Y by establishing, developing, and maintaining positive relationships with principals, parents, staff, program participants, and licensing representatives.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to accomplish collective goals by addressing and resolving concerns, providing follow-up, documentation, and training as needed.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

What You Bring to the Y

• A bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university is required. A focus on recreation management, education, child development, or a related field is preferred.
• 3 years minimum of Professional childcare experience, including experience supervising others.
• Previous YMCA experience strongly preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) is strongly preferred.
• The position requires Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) (formerly overseen by TDFPS) Program Director certification.
• Must be or have the ability to become certified according to HHSC standards.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification or become certified upon hire.
• Required to complete the following online training upon hire: Before & After School Program, Child Abuse Prevention, Appropriate Touch, Bloodborne Pathogens, Foundations of Listen First, and Intro to Cause and Culture.

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.  

About Us

The Greater Austin YMCA is a dynamic force elevating quality of life in Greater Austin by boldly expanding access for all children, adults, families and seniors in our rapidly growing community. For nearly 75 years, the Greater Austin YMCA has evolved to address each community's greatest needs, touching every phase of life and nurturing happier, healthier people, a stronger community and a better world.

We believe everyone deserves access to high-quality programs that keep our community strong. As a proud 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we provide financial assistance to expand access so community members can learn, grow, and thrive through our early learning academies, fitness and wellness centers, youth programs, workforce development, adult programming, mental health counseling, and more.

Each year, the Y serves nearly 140,000 people across Travis and Hays counties through seven fitness and wellness centers, more than 55 licensed campuses in four school districts, two YMCA Tomorrow Academy™ locations, and Camp Moody, our outdoor Adventure camp.

Globally, the YMCA is one of the oldest and largest youth-serving organizations in the world, united by our commitment to a better future -- for all.

Additional Information:

The organization has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

The Greater Austin YMCA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Greater Austin YMCA complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which we have employees. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

We Take Care of Our People

Our mission isn't just a statement--it's a guiding force that shapes our actions every day. Rooted in our unwavering commitment to serving our community and esteemed team members, our mission is a true way of life. We're passionate about fostering health and wellness for all, and we're truly excited to introduce the following comprehensive benefits package that has been thoughtfully designed to prioritize your well-being.

• Health Insurance: We provide comprehensive health coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans, to ensure the well-being of our employees.
• Retirement Savings Plan: We offer a 12% employer-funded retirement plan upon meeting eligibility, empowering employees to plan for their future.
• Paid Time Off: Work-life integration is important to us, which is why we provide up to 48 days of paid time off over vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Additional Perks: Free household membership to facilities operated by the Greater Austin YMCA, which is worth $1,200+ annually.

Pay Range

$51,000 - $55,000 annual salary, DOE