Chief Executive Officer

YMCA
Salary
$180,000.00
$220,000.00
How to Apply
Apply Online
Resumes Accepted Until
The YMCA is an equal opportunity employer. We work to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential...
Job Description

The Opportunity

Are you a proven and experienced leader ready to make a significant impact? The Rappahannock Area YMCA, a truly mission-focused organization in a wonderful community, invites you to take your next leadership step as our Chief Executive Officer. You'll join an energized board, and a passionate staff team dedicated to our work and the communities we serve.

We seek an innovative, strategic, and community-minded individual to lead us to build trust, expanding our reach, and deepening our impact across the Fredericksburg region. As CEO, you will foster collaborative relationships that enhance our reputation and advance our mission. You will strengthen our sustainability and future impact. Above all, you will champion the safety and well-being of young people, ensuring a culture of safety that exceeds standards and maintains full compliance in all our youth-serving endeavors.

ABOUT THE YMCA

The idea to establish a YMCA in our community was presented in October 1973. Later that month, the newly founded YMCA held its first meeting. The Rappahannock Area YMCA was incorporated and chartered through the National YMCA in 1974. In January 1982, the YMCA opened its first branch on Butler Road in Falmouth, featuring an indoor pool, family locker rooms, and program spaces. Today, the YMCA has four facility branches with indoor aquatic centers and provides before and afteschool to 36 schools.

The Rappahannock Area YMCA is, and always will be, dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities. Every day our impact is felt when an individual makes a healthy choice, when a mentor inspires a child and when a community comes together for the common good. Guided by our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, the Y is dedicated to giving people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The YMCA believes in the intrinsic value and health of every individual, especially those with special needs, those with financial limitations, and children who have started their life at a disadvantage. To that end, the YMCA strives to improve the quality of life of its citizens “one person at a time.” From early learning to community health, the Y provides programs and services in which people can build confidence and achieve health at every stage of life.

To fulfill our purpose of strengthening community for all, the Y is committed to being an inclusive organization and leveraging our collective impact to address social inequities. The Y is made up of people of all ages, from all walks of life, working side-by-side to strengthen communities. Together, we strive to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Every day, we work to create an environment in which all members, staff and other stakeholders experience an organization rich with multicultural inclusivity, the promotion of equity across all walks of life and a genuine sense of belonging FOR ALL.

Our Mission:
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

The YMCA is here for all.  We believe that building a healthy lifestyle includes connecting with fellow community members and learning about diverse experiences.  To ensure that these experiences can happen, our pledge to our community is to keep our doors open for all that wish to participate, regardless of the ability to pay.  Our financial scholarship program makes it possible for everyone to learn, grow, and thrive at the Y.

Our Cause: 
Our cause is to work in and with our community to strengthen the greater Fredericksburg region.  Working with our community partners, donors, and members, the YMCA is committed to doing its part to invest in the lives of those around us.

Our Current Key Strategic Initiatives:

  • Enhance engagement activities to deepen impact of the Y cause
  • Strengthen the overall financial viability of the association need to sustain the Y cause
  • Build collaborations and partnerships that meet the growing demands of our service area

Membership:

  • Total Number of Members: 27,532
  • Total Number of Membership Units: 10,882

Branch Information:

Caroline Family YMCA
King George Family YMCA
Massad Family YMCA
Ron Rosner Family YMCA
Rowe Tennis Center

Core Programs:

  • Aquatics
  • Out of School Time: Before and After School, Day Camp
  • Youth Sports
  • Group Exercise
  • Chronic Disease Prevention
  • Youth and Adult Sports
  • Special Needs
  • Tennis/Pickleball

Annual Support Campaign: 

  • Prior Year’s Total: $953,000
  • Current Year’s Goal: $810,000
  • Total number of people receiving financial assistance prior year: 400

Staff:

  • FT: 80
  • PT: 470
  • Seasonal: 75

CEO Direct Reports:

  • 4 Executive Directors (one with SVP title)
  • Finance Director
  • HR Director
  • MarCom Director
  • Philanthropy Director

Board of Directors:

  • Number of Governing Board Members: 10 (will go to a minimum of 12 by 12/25)
  • Committees: currently there are no committees functioning
  • Branch Board/Advisory if applicable: 4 branch advisory committees

Financial:

  • Current Annual Budget Size: $16,504,737
  • Current Debt: $11.5 million
  • Current Endowment: $1 million
  • 3-year annual surplus/deficit:
    • Last year: $147,390 surplus before depreciation
    • Previous year: $665,598 surplus before depreciation
    • Through April 2025: $235,000 surplus more than 2024

Community Population & Demographics

                                                                     Stafford County, Virginia    Spotsylvania County, Virginia
Population estimates, July 1, 2024, (V2024)                   168,919                            152,021
        
Persons under 5 years, percent                                       5.90%                               5.60%
Persons under 18 years, percent                                    26.00%                              24.20%
Persons 65 years and over, percent                                11.80%                              15.70%
        
White                                                                           67.00%                             72.40%
Black                                                                            22.20%                             19.50%
American Indian and Alaska Native                                  0.90%                               0.60%
Asian                                                                             4.40%                              3.20%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander                        0.20%                              0.20%
Two or More Races, percent                                             5.30%                               4.20%
Hispanic or Latino, percent (b)                                       17.10%                              14.00%
White , not Hispanic or Latino, percent                            53.00%                              60.80%
Veterans, 2019-2023                                                     20,046                               14,245

About the Area

The Fredericksburg, Virginia region offers a compelling blend of historic charm and modern convenience, making it an attractive location for executive leadership. Situated in a strategic location midway between the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., and the state capital, Richmond, Fredericksburg provides easy access to major metropolitan centers while maintaining a distinct and appealing character.

  • Lifestyle and Community: Fredericksburg boasts a rich history, evident in its well-preserved downtown area with 18th and 19th-century architecture, antique shops, and locally-owned boutiques and restaurants. The area offers a high quality of life with a strong sense of community. Residents enjoy a more relaxed pace compared to larger cities, yet benefit from a vibrant arts and culture scene, including theaters, galleries, and regular community events.
  • Outdoor Recreation: For those who appreciate the outdoors, the Fredericksburg region offers numerous opportunities. The Rappahannock River provides scenic views and options for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Several parks and trails, such as the Rappahannock River Heritage Trail and the trails within the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, offer spaces for hiking, biking, and enjoying nature. The proximity to the Shenandoah Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay also allows for convenient weekend getaways.
  • Education and Talent Pool: The region is home to a number of reputable educational institutions, including the University of Mary Washington, Germanna Community College, and strong public and private school systems. This contributes to a well-educated and skilled local workforce. The area also benefits from its proximity to major universities in Northern Virginia and Richmond, providing a broader talent pool to draw from.
  • Economy and Business Environment: While steeped in history, Fredericksburg has a growing and diverse economy. Key sectors include healthcare, technology, government contracting, tourism, and retail. The region offers a supportive business environment with access to resources and networking opportunities. Its strategic location along the I-95 corridor facilitates transportation and logistics. The cost of living, while increasing, generally remains competitive compared to the immediate Washington D.C. suburbs.
  • Transportation: Fredericksburg benefits from excellent transportation links. Interstate 95 runs directly through the area, providing north-south access. The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) offers a commuter rail service to Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia, making it a viable option for those who may need to travel to the capital region. Additionally, both Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) are within a reasonable driving distance, providing national and international travel options.
Qualifications

Criteria for Candidates: 

  1. Accredited 4-year college degree and or equivalent work experience. 
  2. Fiscally sound business management approach with a proven track record of budgetary and fiscal management more than $5M or more annually. 
  3. Minimum five years prior experience in a senior management role with a YMCA or related experience at a comparable organization with direct supervision of multiple levels of staff and employees.
Essential Functions

Key Skills and Abilities of Our Next CEO

The board believes its new CEO should be an experienced leader who has the background and qualities that will permit him or her to achieve excellence in the following roles:

  • Develop and Implement a Strategic Plan: Work effectively with volunteers, community leaders, and key staff, to create and develop a strategic plan that addresses the needs of the communities served by the Y and includes defined organizational strategies, a clear implementation plan with deliverables, and measurable goals. Key competencies: Change Leadership, Communication & Influence, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Program/Project Management
  • Improve Operating Performance: Engage the board and appropriate staff to develop an annual tactical plan for identifying and achieving key goals and objectives towards operating with safe, relevant, and sustainable practices. Quickly address issues that may arise, forecast future needs, and manage and direct the Y’s operations and activities. Key competencies: Developing Self & Others, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Innovation
    Fiscal Management: Use high-level financial analysis to forecast financial trends, growth, and stability, while consistently leading organization to balance or surplus operations by growing earned revenue and contributions and controlling costs. Empower and guide staff leaders to lead their departments to successful financial operation. Develop and implement stewardship strategies. Key competencies: Fiscal Management, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Developing Self & Others, Philanthropy
  • Facility and Maintenance Development, Capital: Ensure all facilities are clean, safe, and fully operational. Plan and execute comprehensive facility management, encompassing ongoing maintenance, repairs, infrastructure upgrades, and strategic development. Implement preventative maintenance and expansion strategies to ensure long-term viability and a safe, efficient environment for members, program participants, and the community. Key competencies: Fiscal Management, Program/Project Management, Change Leadership, Critical Thinking & Decision Making
  • Steward Fundraising Efforts: Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan that will establish the YMCA as a leading nonprofit organization within the community through the engagement of members, volunteers, staff, and donors. Identify the need for successful capital fundraising, while taking the organization to a new level of effectiveness and impact in annual giving and endowment. Key competencies: Philanthropy, Engaging Community, Communication & Influence
  • Build and Lead a High-Performing Team: Develop and implement a robust talent development strategy that fosters a supportive, inclusive, and culturally competent workplace. Recruit, develop, and retain a diverse team aligned with the needs of our community. Cultivate a high-performance culture characterized by collaboration, shared purpose, and continuous learning. Key competencies: Developing Self & Others, Inclusion, Emotional Maturity, Change Leadership

SALARY, BENEFITS, & CRITERIA

Salary Range: $180,000 - $220,000

Benefits: 

  • YMCA Retirement 8% contribution once eligibility is met
  • YMCA 403B savings account
  • Health plan: Medical and Dental: 80% YMCA, 20% employee
    Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability: 100% paid by YMCA
  • Additional Life Insurance paid by employee
  • Paid Time Off (PTO): per handbook
  • Other benefits per personnel policy

Residency Expectation: Living in the YMCA’s service area is required.

Search Process Target Dates

Resumes accepted through: June 26        
Preliminary interviews scheduled: July 14 and 15        
In-person interviews: July 30 and July 31        
CEO selection made following interviews
New CEO on board (anticipated): September 1 or earlier

References, Background Check, and Organizational Leader Certification

Candidates must submit (pdf format only) the following in their online application: a resume, cover letter. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered. No other documents should be uploaded.

Candidates who advance to final interviews will need to submit six references (four professional and two personal). References checked only with prior notification. Successful candidate accepting the offer must pass a background check and must have a current Y-USA’s Organizational Leader Certification or obtain certification within the first three years from start date as the CEO. The YMCA's personnel policies may require further screening.

Candidates must apply via the following website: https://tinyurl.com/rappahannock-area-ymca-ceo  

Questions about the Search Process?
Contact Richard Clegg, YMCA CEO Search Senior Consultant, [email protected].

Questions about the YMCA?
Patrick Crute, CEO, Virginia Alliance of YMCAs, [email protected].