About this role
Become Our Next Director of Pickleball – Growing the Game & Building Community!
Position Summary
At the YMCA, we believe strong communities are built through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. As the Director of Pickleball, you will lead the operation, growth, and development of pickleball programming at the Crossroads YMCA, with a primary focus on the Sportscenter. This role is ideal for an experienced pickleball professional who enjoys teaching, developing programs, engaging members, leading teams, and creating a welcoming environment for players of all skill levels.
What Success Looks Like
- Create engaging, organized, and social pickleball experiences for members and guests.
- Grow participation through leagues, tournaments, lessons, clinics, and special events.
- Build strong relationships with members while supporting membership growth and retention.
- Develop and support staff through hiring, training, coaching, and accountability.
- Maintain a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment.
- Use technology and communication tools effectively to engage players and manage programs.
- Represent the YMCA with professionalism while supporting its mission and community impact.
What You'll Be Doing
Program Leadership & Growth
- Oversee daily pickleball programming, including open play, leagues, tournaments, lessons, clinics, and special events.
- Develop new programs and social opportunities that meet member needs and grow participation.
- Support pickleball events, rentals, and activities at the Sportscenter and across the association.
Member Engagement
- Create a safe, welcoming, and engaging experience for members and guests.
- Build relationships with players, support membership growth and retention, and respond to member needs.
- Support marketing and outreach efforts to attract new players and promote pickleball programs.
Staff Leadership
- Recruit, onboard, train, schedule, and supervise pickleball staff.
- Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations.
- Lead by example and foster a positive, professional, and accountable team environment.
Operations & Administration
- Manage pickleball scheduling, communication, and software systems including Pulse, CourtReserve, League/Tournament platforms, and TeamReach.
- Ensure program policies, safety procedures, and YMCA standards are followed.
- Support payroll, reporting, required training, and other administrative responsibilities.
What You Should Know Before Applying
This is a highly visible leadership role that combines pickleball expertise, program development, staff leadership, member engagement, and daily facility operations.
You May Enjoy This Role If You:
- Have a passion for pickleball and enjoy helping others improve their game.
- Enjoy teaching, coaching, and creating fun experiences for players.
- Thrive in a social, active, and fast-paced environment.
- Are comfortable leading staff and managing multiple priorities.
- Enjoy building relationships and engaging with a diverse membership.
- Are organized, proactive, and comfortable working independently.
- Want to help grow pickleball programming and build community through the sport.
Challenges of the Role
- Managing multiple programs, schedules, staff needs, and events.
- Responding to unexpected member, staffing, or facility concerns.
- Balancing program growth with member experience and operational needs.
- Working flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.
- Maintaining a safe, professional, and welcoming environment for players of all skill levels.
Qualifications
- Minimum five years of related experience required.
- Advanced knowledge and mastery of pickleball with the ability to teach and coach others.
- Experience with pickleball software or the ability to quickly learn and become proficient with program management systems.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with staff, members, and leadership.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365.
- Ability to respond effectively to safety concerns and emergencies.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Ability to effectively engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, kneel, and move throughout the workday.
- Visual, auditory, and verbal ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to maintain alertness, concentration, initiative, and sound judgment in an active environment.
- Ability to respond quickly to game situations and emergencies.
- Must maintain a neat and professional appearance.
- Sufficient physical strength and agility to perform essential job duties.
Our Benefits Include
- Health care medical coverage
- Dental and vision insurance
- Employer-paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Life Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
- 12% employer retirement contribution
- Complimentary YMCA family membership
- 50% discount on most YMCA programs
- Ongoing professional development and leadership development opportunities
We encourage our staff to take full advantage of YMCA programs and facilities to support their own health, well-being, and work-life balance.
Our Mission
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all