About the job
KidsCanSwim Operations Centre Manager
Location: Ottawa, Ontario (mainly Kanata + Westboro and from time to time, Orleans)
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Work Schedule: 44 hours per week | On site from Noon to 8:00 pm and weekend.
KidsCanSwim is looking for an Operations Centre Manager who operates like a General Manager.
This role is for leaders who want full ownership of a business unit — safety, people, performance, and results. You will be accountable for how your Centre runs day-to-day and week-to-week. If something breaks, slips, or fails, you own it.
If you are uncomfortable making decisions, enforcing standards, or being accountable for outcomes, this role is not a fit.
The Role at a Glance
As Centre Manager, you are the CEO of your site.
You are responsible for:
- Safety-critical operations in a regulated environment
- Staffing, readiness, and coverage decisions
- Financial performance (occupancy, labour, cost control)
- Guest experience and retention
- Building and enforcing a culture of accountability
Your success is measured by how well your Centre runs without escalation.
What You Will Own (Non-Negotiable)
Safety & Compliance (Priority #1)
- You are fully accountable for pool safety, chemical readiness, and regulatory compliance.
- You ensure only trained, assessed, and approved staff are scheduled for independent coverage.
- You do not rely on confidence or tenure — you rely on verification and sign-off.
- If standards are not met, you take immediate action.
People & Leadership
- Build, lead, and retain a team capable of running the Centre safely and independently.
- Coach performance, address underperformance, and make difficult people decisions when required.
- Set clear expectations and enforce them consistently.
- You do not avoid conflict when standards are at risk.
Operations & Execution
- Ensure all daily, weekly, and monthly Centre priorities are completed on time.
- Anticipate issues and solve them before they escalate.
- Create structure so the Centre runs smoothly even when you are not on site.
- Close loops. Nothing lingers unresolved.
Business Performance
- Manage occupancy, labour ratios, and enrolment performance.
- Understand how daily decisions affect revenue and costs.
- Take corrective action quickly when KPIs slip.
- Treat the Centre as a business, not just a workplace.
Guest Experience
- Ensure every family experiences a safe, professional, and welcoming environment.
- Personally step in when escalated guest issues arise.
- Protect the KidsCanSwim brand through consistent standards and professionalism.
Decision Authority
As Centre Manager, you have full authority over:
- staffing and scheduling decisions,
- readiness and coverage approvals,
- operational execution within KCS standards.
Leadership will support decisions made in alignment with safety, KPIs, and core values.
This Role Is NOT for You If…
Please read this carefully.
This role is not a fit if you:
- Prefer consensus over decision-making
- Avoid difficult conversations or performance management
- Expect direction rather than owning solutions
- Are uncomfortable being accountable for results
- Want a predictable 9-to-5 role without escalation responsibility\
Strong operators will feel energized by this role. Others will feel uncomfortable — that’s intentional.
What “Good” Looks Like
A successful Centre Manager:
- Runs a Centre that meets safety, staffing, and performance standards consistently
- Reduces CEO involvement by solving problems independently
- Develops internal leaders and bench strength
- Maintains strong occupancy and controlled labour costs
- Creates a calm, structured, accountable environment
Ideal Background
We are looking for operators with experience in:
- hospitality, retail, fitness, healthcare, or multi-shift environments
- managing teams in regulated or safety-sensitive settings
- running operations with real accountability
Previous swim experience is not required. Ownership mindset is.
Compensation:
$65,000 – $85,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications, plus Performance-based bonus tied directly to Centre KPIs;
Growth opportunities for high performers;
Top performers are rewarded. Weak execution is addressed.
How to Apply
Generic applications and/or Indeed applications will not be considered.
Please submit:
- Your resume, and
- A brief cover letter outlining:
- a situation where you took full ownership of a challenging operation, and
- how you approach accountability when things go wrong.
Please send your application package to [email protected] before September 10th, 2026 at 5pm.
Final Word
This role is demanding — and meaningful. You will shape culture, protect safety, lead people, and run a business that impacts families every day. If you want real responsibility, real authority, and real accountability, we want to hear from you.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $65,000.00-$85,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
