General Manager
Full Time • Urbandale
Responsive recruiter
Do you want to work somewhere you can make a difference? Are you looking for a great gig where the work is actually fun? Check out Goldfish Swim School! We’re a rapidly growing, award winning franchise that is not your typical company!
We change lives. We help children reach their goals. We work in a 90-degree pool. We love our employees and reward hard work with shout awards, gift cards and fun social events! We offer paid training and flexible shifts. Even better? Due to the rapid growth of our school, advancement opportunities exist for the right candidate.
We are seeking a General Manager for our current location with an estimated start date of April 14, 2026
We are seeking a General Manager for our current location with an estimated start date of April 14, 2026
Benefits:
- Paid time off
- Eligible to earn a bonus of up to 10% of salary per quarter based on key performance indicators
- Paid training
- Discount program
- Valuable work experience
- Increased social opportunities
- Future references/referrals
Special Skills:
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Creative management techniques
- Strong organizational skills
- Strong leadership skills
- Strong administrative skills
- Strong customer service skills
- Strong computer skills
Requirements:
- Ability to work with children
- 3-5 years of management experience
- Excellent interpersonal communication and organizational skills
- Must pass background examinations (included with training)
Job Title: General Manager
Reports to: Owner
FLSA Status: Exempt
Summary: Oversees the quality and success of Goldfish Swim School daily operations including staffing, pool operations, customer service, retail and vending department, private party operations, workplace employee activities amongst other duties.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Administration/Organization
Administration/Organization
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to effectively manage multiple situations at once
- Directs and controls the daily operations to ensure the school is running per GSS standard operating procedures
- Communicate and implement company policies and procedures to employees of GSS
- Manages the staff of GSS to ensure high productivity, excellent performance and positive employee satisfaction.
- Responsible for training, recruitment and hiring of the highest possible caliber of staff
Leadership/Motivation
- Serve as a role model for employees
- Communicates effectively by holding weekly meetings with management team
- Oversee, support, direct and develop staff of 30-60 employees
- Initiates and oversees workplace employee activities (“Fun” Department) with the goal of achieving improved employee satisfaction
- Initiates and oversees workplace culture and employee interaction. Maintain a high level of employee satisfaction
Sales and Revenue Management
- Demonstrates the ability to lead, motivate and manage the sales team
- Achieve desired sales and enrollment targets by leading a team of actively engaged employees
- Ensure the front desk sales staff has a high level of knowledge about our premier learn to swim lessons
Financial
- Exhibit an understand of budgets and establish controls of expenses and purchasing supplies
- Display an ability to keep expenses at or below budget
- Demonstrate an ability to articulate variances in revenue/sales/expenses versus budget
- Provides direction in the retail and vending departments to ensure a proper mix of products and pricing is achieved
- Schedules staff and manages payroll
Safety
- Directs and oversees the implementation of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and all safety procedures that pertain to the GSS facility. Trains all current staff on the GSS EAP
- Maintains current certifications and stays up-to-date professionally on the aquatics and management field
- Maintains current required certifications for self and all staff
- Gains a high level of knowledge and experience in the GSS pool operations necessary to maintain a safe and sanitary swim environment
Operations
- Trains and oversees all staff to provide superior swim instruction to the students of GSS and the highest level of customer service. Interacts with the staff on all issues related to class scheduling, student progress, customer service and employee performance and training
- Support personnel related problems or difficulties by following company procedures and documentation
- Interacts with the Deck Supervisors on issues related to class scheduling, student progress, customer service and employee performance and training
- Gains knowledge and experience of scheduling software to achieve a high level of competence in bookings, class scheduling, reporting and administrative functions
- Must be available to work one weeknight shift and one weekend shift
Customer Service
- Promote a professional and welcoming atmosphere that enhances the quality of service and care offered to GSS families
Measurement Standards
- Successful management of all enrollment and budgetary goals
- Focuses on membership retention
- Timely completion of assigned tasks and projects
- Follow all policies and procedures in the employee handbook
Education/Experience: High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications or equivalent is desired. Experience as youth sports instructor/coach, camp counselor or aquatics instructor/supervisor is preferred. Three to five years management experience is preferred.
Certificates and Licenses: Lifeguard, CPR, First Aid, AED and Certified Pool Operator certifications required. Lifeguard Instructor certification highly encouraged.
Work Environment: While performing this job, the employee is regularly exposed to heat and humidity. Noise level is usually moderate.
Compensation: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year
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.
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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!