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Overview

Our Commitment to Equity The Y actively promotes a culture free from bias and injustice. We are dedicated to removing institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. We will be accountable to marginalized communities for creating equitable and sustainable environments where social justice is woven into every facet of our programs, and by caring for our communities in a culturally versatile and respectful manner.

Job Summary

This position supports the work of the YMCA of Greater Seattle, a non-profit organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

The Senior Risk & Safety Director provides strategic leadership and oversight for the YMCA of Greater Seattle risk management, safety, compliance, and volunteer processes. This role ensures the YMCA maintains the highest standards of workplace safety and risk management practices and provides intentional leadership for workplace safety, aquatics safety, child safety, and compliance. The Senior Director serves as a subject matter expert and thought partner for Association leadership, driving a proactive safety culture while mentoring staff and leading cross-departmental collaboration.

Candidates with strong programmatic leadership experience, particularly in aquatics, camp, youth development, or other high-safety environments are encouraged to apply, as these backgrounds often provide valuable expertise in risk management and safety culture.

What you'll get from working at The Y

+ Membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle for you and your household

+ Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance

+ Retirement with generous employer contributions

+ Free access to mental health resources

+ Rapidly-accruing paid time off (PTO) available immediately upon hire

+ Discounts on qualifying YMCA of Greater Seattle childcare and day camp programs

Hiring Range: $105,000 - $125,000

Responsibilities

Strategic Risk & Compliance Leadership

+ Provide visionary leadership in developing and executing a comprehensive enterprise risk management and compliance strategy.

+ Ensure organizational adherence to OSHA, WISHA, federal/state safety regulations, DOH, YMCA-USA membership standards, and insurance requirements.

+ Design and implement insurance policies and procedures to minimize property claims and liability exposure.

+ Lead enterprise-wide risk assessments across all branches and programs, including aquatics, youth-serving environments, camps, and housing.

+ Direct incident response, investigations, and corrective action planning with a focus on transparency and accountability.

+ Serve as the executive point of contact for risk-related incidents, ensuring proper escalation, documentation, and resolution.

+ Manage claims processes, including hearings and litigation, while maintaining confidentiality and service excellence.

+ Analyze accident and incident data to identify trends, recommend solutions, and drive continuous improvement.

+ Advise senior leadership on emerging risks, compliance gaps, and mitigation strategies.

+ Partner with insurers, legal counsel, regulators, and medical professionals to resolve complex safety and risk matters.

+ Ensure safety equipment and resources are available, maintained, and deployed across all branches.

Aquatics & Child Safety Oversight

+ Provides executive oversight of Aquatics Safety compliance, ensuring implementation of the YMCA Aquatics Safety Plan.

+ Leads strategy for aquatic risk reduction, including audits, drills, and certification processes for lifeguards and aquatic staff.

+ Serves as a key liaison with Red Cross, health departments, and regulatory agencies to uphold child and aquatic safety standards.

Training, Safety Programs & Culture Development

+ Direct association-wide safety training initiatives, including CPR, First Aid, AED, aquatic safety, driver safety, and emergency response.

+ Partner with HR to embed safety practices into onboarding and ongoing staff development.

+ Championing a safety-first culture by coaching leaders, equipping managers, and integrating risk awareness into daily operations.

+ Oversee emergency preparedness drills and driver/vehicle safety programs across the organization.

Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

+ Oversee risk management systems and databases, ensuring integrity and accuracy of incident, compliance, and volunteer records.

+ Conduct audits, recommend corrective actions, and monitor implementation.

+ Analyze safety data to identify trends and proactively implement preventative measures.

+ Deliver regular reports and strategic recommendations to the Senior Leadership Team and Board Committees.

+ Use data-driven insights to refine policies, procedures, and training programs.

Volunteer Risk & Process Oversight

+ Provide leadership for volunteer risk management, onboarding, and compliance processes.

+ Collaborate with Volunteer Matters to ensure alignment with YMCA standards.

+ Partner with branch teams to ensure consistent volunteer screening, training, and supervision.

Leadership & Collaboration

+ Supervise and mentor risk and safety staff, fostering professional growth and accountability.

+ Collaborate with HR, Finance, IT, YSIC, Camps and Branch Operations to integrate risk and safety practices across all functions.

+ Serve on Safety, Child Protection, and Aquatics committees, contributing to organizational governance and oversight.

Compliance & Ethical Standards

+ Uphold policies related to boundaries with members, employees, participants, and mandated reporting requirements.

+ Maintain strict compliance with job-specific abuse risk management responsibilities.

+ Ensure organizational compliance with ACA (American Camp Association) standards,

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

+ + Program Project Management

+ Change Management

+ Operational Management

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

TRAVEL

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.

Code of Conduct for Applicants (https://seattleymca.icims.com/icims2/servlet/icims2?module=AppInert&action=download&id=191063&hashed=999166779)

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

+ Bachelor’s degree in risk management, Safety, Compliance, Public Administration, or related field (master’s degree preferred).

+ Minimum 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in risk management, workplace safety, or compliance, or a programmatic leadership role with significant safety and risk responsibilities (e.g., aquatics, youth programs, camp operations).

+ Proven knowledge of OSHA/WISHA, aquatic safety, and child abuse prevention standards.

+ Strong knowledge of workers’ compensation, liability claims, and insurance processes.

+ Demonstrated ability to lead change, develop culture, and manage cross-functional initiatives.

+ Excellent communication, facilitation, and analytical skills.

+ Experience in nonprofit or youth-serving organizations strongly preferred.

+ Proficiency with Microsoft Suite, risk management platforms, and volunteer systems.

+ Other applicable education, training, and experience that provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in this position will be considered.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

+ Prior experience working in a matrix business environment.

+ Prior experience working in a non-profit organization.

+ Legal experience or background.

+ Knowledge and previous experience working with diverse populations (for example, language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation)

+ Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.

At the Seattle Y, we are an inclusive organization of people with a shared commitment to nurture the potential of youth, promote healthy living, and foster social responsibility. We also believe in supporting the wellbeing of our employees and offer a free Y membership as a benefit of employment.

Become a leader on our team at the YMCA of Greater Seattle where we promote a continuous learning environment and career opportunities.

YGS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and equitable work environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law.

We are a drug & alcohol-free workplace; all job offers are contingent on the results of a background check. We participate in the Federal E-Verify system.

If you need assistance of any kind with the application process, reach out to [email protected].

MISSION STATEMENT:

Building a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body.

OUR VALUES:

+ Respect

+ Responsibility

+ Honesty

+ Caring

+ Passion for Excellence