Job Description
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Family Programs Director 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 Director also builds partnerships with community organizations and supports outreach, marketing, and fundraising initiatives to strengthen engagement and impact.
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 and membership 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 strong, 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.
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.
Family Program Specific Duties
- Oversees, supports Kid Zone and all other family programs for the branch.
- Develops and leads a comprehensive strategy for family engagement initiatives and activities that support families spending quality time together, being active together and serving together.
- Responsible for mapping the family engagement strategy for the branch and working with Association programs to connect members and participants in various programs.
- Certification Requirements (must obtain within 30 days of starting and maintain throughout employment): CPRO, Basic First Aid, Administering Emergency Oxygen, EMAT.
Volunteer Program Specific Duties
- Supports the development of systems and strategies that strengthen volunteer engagement across programs, ensuring alignment with branch goals and association guidelines.
- Assists departments in recruiting, training, and recognizing volunteers by providing guidance, resources, and consistent communication.
- Works collaboratively with program leaders to understand volunteer needs and coordinate placement, scheduling, and support for volunteer roles.
- Helps deliver staff and volunteer trainings that reinforce expectations, safety practices, and high-quality service standards.
- Builds and maintains positive relationships with individuals, families, and community organizations to support ongoing volunteer recruitment and engagement.
- Contributes to volunteer-driven events and initiatives, supporting logistics, communication, and member engagement efforts in partnership with the Membership Team.
Additional Responsibilities
- Take on other duties as assigned to support the YMCA’s mission and evolving priorities.
- Completion of all required annual trainings related to safety, compliance, and child protection as assigned.
- This job description may be modified when appropriate by Human Resources.
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.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Primarily office and program settings with frequent interaction in gyms, classrooms, and outdoor spaces.
- Moderate noise levels; may be louder during youth or community activities.
- Regular use of computer, phone, and other office technology.
- Frequent standing, walking, bending, and reaching; occasional lifting or moving up to 40 lbs.
- Some work performed outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Flexible schedule required — may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and occasional travel between branches or sites.
- Must be able to provide valid identification for employment eligibility verification.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and have access to reliable transportation.
- A clean driving record is required to meet YMCA insurance standards.
- Travel between branch and/or site locations, and to off-site meetings and events is required.
- Must reside in the YMCA of the Triangle service area (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill and surrounding areas).
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.