Goldfish Swim School is seeking a high-performing Aquatics Manager to lead and elevate our aquatics program in Burlington.

This is a hands-on leadership role—you will be expected to lead from the water, not from behind a desk. You will take ownership of instructional quality, staff performance, and overall aquatics program execution.

Role Structure

40% In-Water Instruction & Coaching
40% Deck Leadership & Supervision
20% Administration & Program Management

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

Lead, coach, and develop Deck Supervisors, Instructors, and Deck Teachers
Conduct performance evaluations and enforce high standards
Train all new aquatic hires and support ongoing staff development
Lead monthly performance reviews and team meetings
Support hiring decisions and performance management of aquatic staff

In-Water Excellence (Core Requirement)

Teach lessons for approximately 40% of your schedule
Model best-in-class instruction, energy, and engagement
Coach instructors live during lessons to improve performance
Set the standard for safety, quality, and professionalism

Operations & Program Oversight

Audit schedules, class structures, and rosters using iClass Pro
Optimize class sizes and adjust programming (merge, open, or close classes)
Monitor student progression and ensure accurate level placement
Oversee staffing coverage and address absenteeism or scheduling gaps
Generate and review operational reports (attendance, cancellations, training logs)

Safety & Compliance

Enforce all aquatic safety standards and operational procedures
Ensure staff compliance with training, certifications, and supervision protocols
Support emergency readiness and incident response procedures
Maintain awareness of pool system conditions and escalate concerns when needed

Customer Experience

Communicate with parents/guardians regarding student progress
Act as a Goldfish brand ambassador
Support special needs programming and ensure program quality

Performance Accountability (KPIs)

You will be directly accountable for:

Student progression and program quality
Class utilization and scheduling efficiency
Staff performance and development outcomes
Customer satisfaction and retention
Accuracy and consistency of operational reporting

These KPIs are representative of the role and not exhaustive. Additional performance metrics may be introduced or adjusted based on business needs, operational priorities, and growth objectives.

Who This Role Is For

Leaders who are comfortable spending significant time in the water
Individuals who lead by example and hold high standards
Candidates who thrive in fast-paced, team-driven environments
Those who take ownership of both people development and operations

Requirements

Experience in aquatics instruction or leadership
National Lifeguard Instructor/Examiner (or equivalent) preferred
CPR/AED and First Aid certification
Strong communication and leadership skills
Ability to work evenings and weekends
Vulnerable Sector Check (required)
Experience working with children or youth programs preferred

Compensation & Benefits

$27.50 – $30.00 per hour (based on experience)
Performance-based bonus structure
Employee health benefits
Paid training and professional development
Career advancement opportunities within a growing organization

Work Environment

Warm, humid (90°) pool environment
Significant time spent in water and on deck
Physically active role requiring extended periods of standing, movement, and instruction

About Goldfish Swim School

Goldfish Swim School is an award-winning swim school focused on teaching children life-saving skills in a fun, safe, and engaging environment. Our facility features a 90-degree pool, small class sizes, and a proven curriculum designed for success.

We operate a high-energy, high-accountability environment where leaders are visible, engaged, and set the tone on every shift.

Important Note

This is a hands-on, in-water leadership role. If you are seeking a primarily administrative position, this role will not be the right fit.

Compensation: $27.50 - $30.00 per hour

Tropical Vibes & Impacting Lives!

You feel it the moment you walk in. There’s more than vibrant colors, a tropical theme and happy children. There’s something different, something extraordinary. Something truly GOLDEN. It’s passion. Not just a passion for kids or a passion for swimming…it’s a special passion for changing – even saving – lives, by being a part of kids learning to swim.

When you work at Goldfish, you're not just an employee. You're a part of something bigger. You're making an impact; a splash in the lives of the children in your community. You're an integral part of a team, working together to move forward a mission. You’re also making waves in your future, learning life lessons in and out of the pool through mentorship, leadership and passion. At Goldfish, it’s more than a job - it’s an endless pool of possibilities, opportunities and life-changing moments!

Making Waves with Passion, Purpose & Core Values!

At Goldfish, our core values are at the heart of everything we do, and behind every decision that we make. To us, these values are more than just words - they're embraced with purpose in our everyday lives, and what allows us to make a splash in our community, and in the lives of our members and our team!

We go above and beyond with every detail to create a GOLDEN Experience!

We believe in nurturing a culture that provides WOW! Customer Service

We do the right things, make the right decisions and treat people with Integrity • Compassion • Trust

We meet and exceed expectations so you see Extraordinary Results

We make a big deal about life’s accomplishments by remembering to Celebrate!

Each Goldfish Swim School is an independently owned and operated franchise. The respective Franchisee is the employer at each Goldfish Swim School location. Each franchisee can set their own wages, benefit programs and terms and conditions of employment, which may vary at each Goldfish Swim School location.

Apply here.

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This role requires approximately 40% of your time teaching in the water. Are you comfortable with this?*

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Why Dive In With Goldfish?

Paid Training

We set you up for Extraordinary Results! It doesn’t matter if you’ve never learned to swim yourself or if you’re a seasoned swimmer, we are proud to provide our team with paid training, certifications and ongoing support.

Flexible Schedules

Work life balance is essential to any team! At Goldfish, we understand you have commitments outside of work - family, school, sports, whatever it may be - and we celebrate that! We offer convenient schedules to accommodate YOU!

All Are Welcome

At Goldfish, we value Diversity & Inclusion! We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming environment for all by treating everyone with Integrity, Compassion and Trust as we work together to make waves for water safety.

Make Waves...In Your Community

Our team members are literal life-savers. Superheroes. Wavemakers. At Goldfish, you’re helping keep the children of your community safer in and around water - and that’s something to CELEBRATE!

Make Waves...In Your Career

Dip your toe into a pool of possibilities at Goldfish! You’ll learn life lessons through leadership, mentorship and ongoing training. From customer service to education, healthcare to business, you’ll gain impactful work experience that is sure to make a splash in your future, no matter what your career path!

High Fives & Tropical Vibes!

We believe in making a big deal about life’s accomplishments by remembering to CELEBRATE! We give high fives, dance and have some serious fun while doing some serious work. And with tiki huts, palm trees and surfboards, every work day will make you feel like you’re on vacay!

Going for Gold!

We align with partners who not only share our passion for water safety, but also share our core values. Helping us make a splash are World Record Holders and Olympic Gold Medalists Ryan Murphy and Cullen Jones! We are also committed to making waves, giving back and saving lives through our partnership with the USA Swimming Foundation.

Grow with Goldfish

There’s no limit to where you can go with Goldfish! We’ve seen part time team members #GrowUpGoldfish - becoming managers, joining the Franchise Support Team, and even going on to own and operate their own Goldfish Swim School! Dip a toe or dive all the way into the pool of possibilities and endless opportunities!