Ryan Flynn
Pocono Summit,PA
Summary
Dedicated, knowledgeable and approachable aquatics director offering 15 years of experience in the industry. Well-versed in waterpark success including, but not limited to, guest/team safety, attraction and pool operation, standard procedure implementation, revenue optimization, training and certification processes, documentation/record keeping, and recruiting/retention management.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Waterpark Director
Island Waterpark
09.2022 - Current
- Solely responsible for developing and establishing all waterpark related items for an upcoming waterpark in Atlantic City
- Assisted with pre-construction plans and timelines
- Report issues to construction team for warranty purposes
- Established and maintain budget for new waterpark
- Cultivate vendor relationships
- Develop and implement a clear staffing plan
- Create job descriptions for each role crucial to waterpark operation
- Negotiate and finalize vendor contracts
- Create SOP's for operational and guest service success
- Create marketing for job postings and waterpark ads
- Establish rates and package offerings for guests
- Market research to work on perfecting business model
- Operate waterpark day to day for the best experience for guests
Waterpark Director
Kalahari Resorts
06.2021 - 09.2022
- Company Overview: America's Largest Indoor Waterpark
- Oversee entire waterpark operation in America's Largest Indoor Waterpark to ensure a safe environment for a guests and associates on a daily basis
- Oversee 350 staff including common area, life guards, ride attendants and front desk team
- Provide on-going leadership, professional guidance and development to all staff
- Optimize revenue to ensure positive incremental flow-through to bottom line
- Monitor departmental budget
- Ensure labor is aligned with business demands and an efficient operation is at the forefront
- Built a positive repore with other departments
- Establish and maintain SOP's to ensure efficient operation on a daily basis
- Encourage feedback and appreciation of all team members
- Facilitate safe operation of 40 indoor/outdoor attractions, 5 pools, 9 hot tubs
- Manage 57 cabanas/bungalows and 29 premium seating amenities
- Ensure proper amusement, liability and general signage is updated and posted
- Hold departmental meetings
- America's Largest Indoor Waterpark
Assistant Waterpark Director
Kalahari Resorts
02.2021 - 06.2021
- Company Overview: America's Largest Indoor Waterpark
- Assist Director in overseeing waterpark operation and fill role as acting director due to vacancy
- Assist with daily tasks as directed by Director for a short period of time
- Ensure schedule and floor was staffed to provide the best experience for guests
- Assist with financial review preparation
- Assist with training all floor staff
- Assist with updating SOP's for a safe operation
- Conduct regular audits
- America's Largest Indoor Waterpark
Senior Manager
Kalahari Resorts
01.2020 - 02.2021
- Company Overview: America's Largest Indoor Waterpark
- Manage floor operation day to day from training to audits and recruiting
- Oversee the Training Manager and training program for new floor associates (LG and RA)
- Create a standard for leadership training and development
- Assist with waterpark recruiting strategies
- Trained Life Guard Instructors
- Act as Senior Leader in absence of director/assistant director
- Conduct regular audits
- America's Largest Indoor Waterpark
Aquatic Safety Training Manager
Kalahari Resorts
05.2015 - 01.2020
- Company Overview: America's Largest Indoor Waterpark
- Manage zone operation to ensure safety of all guests and associates
- Assist in overseeing daily operations
- Supervise/train departmental staff of 350 lifeguards and 50 members of the leadership team
- Recruit and mentor new Aquatic Safety Employees/teach resort CPR, AED and BBP classes
- Establish departmental operations and aquatic safety training programs
- Implement best practices and develop safety policies and procedures
- American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor/American Red Cross Instructor Trainer
- America's Largest Indoor Waterpark
Aquatics Supervisor
Great Wolf Lodge
08.2012 - 05.2015
- Manage associates on shift to assist with efficient use of time and floor coverage
- Supervised daily operations and monitored guest aquatic safety
- Facilitated regular lifeguard training courses/lead daily staff meetings
- Ellis and Associates Lifeguard Trained
Lifeguard
Great Wolf Lodge
09.2010 - 05.2015
- Ensure guest safety
- Complete audits and reports necessary for management team
- Scan water and be ready to perform life saving measures in cases of emergency
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
East Stroudsburg University
05.2015
Skills
- SOP Creation/Implementation
- Problem-solving
- Scheduling
- Training and Development
- Staffing Matrix Creation/Adherence
- AED/First Aid Certified
- Time Management
- Microsoft Office Programs
- Recruiting and Hiring
- Event Management (Operations)
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision-making
- Budget management
Websites
Activities
- American Cancer Society, 11/11 - 11/15, Organized a fundraiser to raise money for ACS., Promoted and produced a comedy show at Northampton Community College., Spoke at Relay For Life at East Stroudsburg University.
- Colleges Against Cancer, 11/14, Engaged in public speaking at multiple events on campus., Shared experiences regarding my personal battle with cancer to motivate others in similar situations., Helped prepare and set up for events held at ESU.
Timeline
Waterpark Director
Island Waterpark
09.2022 - Current
Waterpark Director
Kalahari Resorts
06.2021 - 09.2022
Assistant Waterpark Director
Kalahari Resorts
02.2021 - 06.2021
Senior Manager
Kalahari Resorts
01.2020 - 02.2021
Aquatic Safety Training Manager
Kalahari Resorts
05.2015 - 01.2020
Aquatics Supervisor
Great Wolf Lodge
08.2012 - 05.2015
Lifeguard
Great Wolf Lodge
09.2010 - 05.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
East Stroudsburg University
Similar Profiles
Christian AyalaChristian Ayala
Groundskeeper at Island WaterparkGroundskeeper at Island Waterpark
Samyra WithanachchiSamyra Withanachchi
Lead Lifeguard at Island WaterparkLead Lifeguard at Island Waterpark
Emma LlanezEmma Llanez
Food and Beverage Administrative Assistant at Island WaterparkFood and Beverage Administrative Assistant at Island Waterpark