Summary: Step into a key leadership role at Grand Hyatt Indian Wells, where the resort's signature waterpark, pools, poolside food and beverage service, and curated recreation experiences come together to create unforgettable guest moments.
The Director of Pool and Recreation is responsible for the overall strategy, safety, service excellence, and daily operations of the resort's aquatic and outdoor recreation experiences. This position leads the pool team, including lifeguards, pool and recreation attendants, recreation coordinators, and poolside food and beverage staff.
The Director will create and execute a dynamic calendar of inclusive, high-quality activities for guests of all ages, from poolside games and family events to adult-focused activations, seasonal programming, and group experiences. This role requires a high-energy, guest-centric leader who is passionate about hospitality, team development, safety, creativity, and operational excellence.
The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $95,000. This is the pay range Grand Hyatt Indian Wells reasonably expects to pay. Final compensation will depend on factors such as experience and education.
Key Responsibilities Pool, Waterpark, and Recreation Operations- Lead the overall operation of the resort's pools, waterpark, cabana program, recreation areas, and outdoor guest experiences.
- Oversee daily opening, closing, cleanliness, organization, and presentation of all pool and recreation areas.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable safety, health, sanitation, aquatic, and brand standards.
- Maintain and enforce emergency action plans, pool rules, surveillance procedures, rescue protocols, and incident-reporting requirements.
- Monitor water quality, pool chemicals, equipment, inspections, and maintenance needs.
- Coordinate with Engineering, Security, vendors, and other departments to address repairs, operational concerns, and facility improvements.
- Investigate and document accidents, injuries, guest concerns, and other incidents, ensuring appropriate follow-up.
- Evaluate guest feedback, attendance patterns, and business trends to improve service delivery and operational performance.
Poolside Food and Beverage Operations- Oversee poolside food and beverage operations, ensuring seamless coordination between pool operations, service teams, culinary teams, and other departments.
- Maintain high standards for guest service, product quality, presentation, cleanliness, and timeliness.
- Manage staffing, scheduling, inventory, ordering, receiving, storage, cash handling, and point-of-sale procedures.
- Monitor food safety, sanitation, allergen awareness, responsible alcohol service, and health department compliance.
- Review menus, offerings, pricing, product waste, and guest feedback to support service quality and profitability.
- Train food and beverage staff in hospitality, safe food handling, responsible service, and resort standards.
Activities and Guest Engagement- Create, promote, manage, and execute dynamic, inclusive, and memorable resort-wide activities for guests of all ages.
- Develop a seasonal calendar of engaging, high-quality programming, including poolside games, family nights, adult activities, wellness offerings, special events, and group activations.
- Drive guest engagement through creative recreation offerings that enhance the overall resort stay, build community, and encourage brand loyalty.
- Ensure activities are safe, well organized, properly staffed, and aligned with the resort's standards and brand identity.
- Collaborate with Food and Beverage, Sales, Events, Marketing, Spa, Fitness, Kids Club, and other departments to develop and promote programming.
- Serve as a visible, energetic presence throughout pool and recreation operations.
Team Leadership- Recruit, hire, train, schedule, develop, and evaluate lifeguards, pool attendants, recreation attendants, recreation coordinators, and food and beverage team members.
- Build a diverse, engaged, and guest-focused team culture centered on safety, professionalism, hospitality, and accountability.
- Maintain staffing levels appropriate to operating hours, guest volume, programming, waterpark capacity, and regulatory requirements.
- Lead daily briefings, team meetings, training sessions, and safety reviews.
- Ensure all team members maintain required certifications, licenses, and training.
- Provide coaching and feedback, recognize strong performance, and address performance or attendance concerns promptly.
- Serve as a hands-on leader who is comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.
Financial and Administrative Management- Prepare and manage operating schedules, staffing plans, departmental budgets, forecasts, and reports.
- Monitor payroll, labor costs, inventory, supplies, revenues, expenses, and programming return on investment.
- Use financial and operational data to identify opportunities for improved efficiency and profitability.
- Maintain accurate records, including schedules, training documentation, inspections, water-quality logs, inventory records, and incident reports.
- Develop and update policies, procedures, operating standards, and departmental goals.
- Participate as a key department head in leadership meetings and resort-wide planning.
Benefits Hyatt colleagues work in an environment that demands exceptional performance while offering meaningful rewards, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage after 30 days of full-time employment
- Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave
- Life insurance, 401(k) with matching, flexible spending account, and employee assistance program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Complimentary employee meals and parking
- Referral bonuses
- Free and discounted room nights, including Friends & Family discounts, subject to applicable waiting periods
- Growth and relocation opportunities within Hyatt
Qualifications:- Minimum of two years of experience in recreation management, aquatics, hospitality, resort operations, or a related field.
- Proven experience leading luxury, high-volume pool, waterpark, recreation, or food and beverage operations.
- Previous experience recruiting, training, scheduling, and managing guest-facing teams.
- Experience in hotels, resorts, cruise ships, theme parks, recreation camps, or comparable environments preferred.
- Strong financial and operational knowledge, including labor management, scheduling, budgeting, inventory, and programming return on investment.
- Certified Pool Operator certification and/or lifeguard management experience preferred.
- Current First Aid, CPR/AED, lifeguard, food handler, and responsible beverage service certifications required or obtainable within an established timeframe.
- Strong administrative, organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a polished, professional presence.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Creative, solution-oriented, and passionate about innovation and continuous improvement.
- Flexible availability, including mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, holidays, and seasonal peak periods.
Physical and Work Requirements- Ability to work in outdoor, aquatic, and high-temperature environments.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and move throughout pool, waterpark, recreation, and food and beverage areas.
- Ability to bend, lift, carry, and move supplies or equipment as needed.
- Ability to respond quickly to emergencies and perform or assist with emergency procedures.
- Ability to work around water, pool chemicals, food service areas, and recreational equipment.
