Lead a team. Solve problems. Make an impact.
Patti's Swim School has been helping children become safer and more confident in the water for over 45 years. We are looking for an experienced, hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys coaching employees, solving problems, and keeping operations running smoothly. This is not a desk job - you'll be the on-site operations leader responsible for supporting staff, making real-time decisions, and ensuring an exceptional experience for every family who walks through our doors.
This position is ideal for an experienced manager who enjoys leading people, making decisions, solving problems, and taking ownership of the day-to-day operations.
What You'll Do
- Lead the day-to-day operations of the swim school
- Supervise instructors and front desk staff during daily operations
- Coach employees in real time and reinforce company expectations
- Address attendance, professionalism, and performance concerns promptly
- Manage daily staffing, instructor coverage, and schedule adjustments
- Handle customer concerns professionally and confidently
- Ensure lessons run on time and the facility operates efficiently
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe environment
- Assist with hiring, onboarding, and employee development
- Communicate regularly with ownership and the Director of Operations regarding staffing, operational concerns, and opportunities for improvement
- Step into swim instruction when necessary to support operations during emergencies or staffing shortages
We're Looking For Someone Who
- Takes initiative without waiting to be told what to do
- Is comfortable having difficult conversations with employees
- Can coach, mentor, and hold staff accountable with professionalism and respect
- Remains calm under pressure and makes sound decisions
- Naturally notices problems and works to solve them
- Leads with integrity, consistency, and kindness
- Enjoys building systems and improving operations
- Values teamwork and excellent customer service
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 3-5 years of leadership or management experience supervising employees
- Demonstrated history of employment stability and increasing responsibility
- Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
- Willingness to work evenings, Fridays and Saturdays
- Must be comfortable in an outdoor aquatic environment year-round
Preferred Qualifications
- Aquatics, recreation, childcare, hospitality, fitness, or youth program management experience
- Swim instruction or lifeguarding experience
- Experience scheduling employees and coordinating staffing
- Customer service leadership experience
- Experience with hiring, onboarding, and/or employee training
Leadership & Availability Expectaitons
This is a leadership position that requires flexibility and ownership. While this is not a 24/7 role, the On-Site Manager is expected to be available for operational needs outside of schedule work hours.
This may include:
- Responding to time-sensitive phone calls or text messages from staff
- Assisting with instructor call-outs and emergency staffing
- Providing guidance to employees when unexpected situations arise
- Meeting vendors, contractors, or service providers when needed
- Responding to facility issues or emergencies that require an on-site presence
We're looking for someone who understands that leadership sometimes requires flexibility and who takes ownership of the success of the operation.
Why This Role Matters
This is the primary on-site leader for Patti's Swim School. You'll have the opportunity to shape the daily experience of our employees and families while helping build the next chapter of our growing business. We are looking for someone who wants a long-term leadership opportunity - not just a job.
What Success Looks Like
After three months, you'll be someone who:
- Leads confidently and earns the respect of the team
- Handles daily operational challenges independently
- Coaches employees consistently and fairly
- Keeps staffing and lessons running smoothly
- Provides outstanding service to families
- Creates an environment where employees know what's expected and feel supported
Pay: From $30.00 per hour
Application Question(s):
- Do you have reliable transportation to and from our Castro Valley location for al scheduled shifts?
- Approximately how long is your commute to Castro Valley during normal traffic?
- This position requires flexibility to work evenings, Fridays, and Saturdays, stay late when needed, or adjust your schedule to meet operational needs. Please describe any recurring scheduling limitations or commitments that could affect your availability.
- Do you have any planned vacations, extended time off, or other scheduling commitments within the next 12 months? If so, please describe them.
- What interested you in applying for the On-Site Operations Manager position at Patti's Swim School?
- Describe how you stay organized when you're managing multiple priorities, staff, customers, and unexpected issues at the same time.
- Tell us about a time you handled a difficult customer. What was the situation, and what was the outcome?
- Describe a time you had to coach or address an employee whose performance or behavior needed improvement. How did you handle the conversation?
- Tell us about a time you had to make an important decision without being able to ask your supervisor first.
- Describe a day at work when everything seemed to go wrong. How did you prioritize your responsibilities and keep operations running?
- Tell us about a mistake you made at work. What happened, and what did you learn from the experience?
- What qualities do you have that would make you successful as Patti's Swim School's On-Site Operations Manager?
- Have you ever been responsible for opening or closing a business without direct supervision? Please describe your eperience.
- Describe a time you identified a problem before anyone else noticed it. What did you do?
Work Location: In person
