Executive Director

YMCA
Salary
$95,000.00
$110,000.00
How to Apply
Apply Online
Resumes Accepted Until
Lead a modern YMCA branch committed to growth, innovation, and community impact.
Job Description

The Summit Area YMCA is hiring an Executive Director to lead the Berkeley Heights YMCA, a vibrant community facility that opened in 2020 and operates with an annual budget of over $6 million. This modern branch includes a state-of-the-art fitness center, full gymnasium, childcare center, seasonal outdoor community pool, and group exercise studios offering a wide variety of classes—including yoga, spin, strength training, and senior wellness programs—as well as a popular pickleball program held in the gymnasium.

The Executive Director will provide strategic and operational leadership, ensuring excellence across programs, services, and member experience. While focused on Berkeley Heights, this role collaborates with the Summit Branch Executive Director to align resources and support across branches when needed.

You Might Be the Right Fit If You…

  • Lead with both strategic vision and hands-on operational expertise.
  • Are passionate about developing high-performing teams and inclusive, mission-driven programming.
  • Know how to grow membership, elevate member satisfaction, and deliver results.
  • Thrive in a fast-paced environment where innovation, community, and excellence intersect.
  • Bring experience managing complex facilities and large operating budgets.

At the Summit Area YMCA, we are committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation. Our main purpose is to strengthen community. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone can reach their full potential and we strive to live our cause with purpose every day. No matter who you are or where you’re from, we believe that we’re stronger when we come together.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, (e.g., human services, business, or recreation).
  • Minimum of five years of progressive management experience in a YMCA or similar non-profit organization.
  • Proven ability to lead large teams, with experience in managing senior-level staff and multiple departments.
  • Demonstrated expertise in fiscal management (annual budget exceeding $2M), program development, and staff development.
  • Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to engage with a variety of stakeholders.
  • Experience in community outreach and building partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and governmental entities.
  • YMCA Multi-Team/Branch Leader certification preferred.
Essential Functions
  • Lead strategic planning, multi-year growth, member satisfaction, culture of safety and operational excellence for the assigned branch and creates a member-focused culture and models relationship-building skills in all interactions.
  • Fosters a climate of innovation and resolves problems to ensure member satisfaction.
  • Recruits, hires, trains, develops, and leads employees and volunteers. Reviews and evaluates employees’ performance. Develop strategies to motivate employees and achieve department and organizational goals. Develops, manages, and monitors branch operating budgets to meet or exceed targets. Initiates and manages adjustments to budget to ensure a balanced operation and submits reports on current operations.
  • Use data and metrics to analyze gaps, forecast growth opportunities, and evaluate ROI on all branch initiatives and develop and implement creative solutions to address pressing concerns. Oversee performance tracking systems and dashboards to monitor key performance indicators to optimize maximize program performance and optimize member satisfaction.
  • Drives the creation, development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative, relevant, fee and free programs to meet the evolving needs of members and the community.
  • Actively participate in the fundraising and membership growth efforts, maintaining strong relationships within the community and identifying opportunities for growth.
  • Ensures safety, cleanliness and function of all related facilities and equipment.
  • Provides leadership to the Advisory Board and related committees.
  • Assists in all areas, project teams, and duties as assigned by supervisor.
  • Collaborate with the other Executive Directors to ensure cohesive leadership across branches, sharing resources, programs, and best practices.
  • Provide leadership in ensuring the highest level of safety, cleanliness, and member satisfaction at all program locations.
  • Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to the overall objectives of the YMCA, and ensuring the success of the association.
  • As an Ambassador for the Y, communicates to members, volunteers, and the general public that the Y is the nation’s leading non-profit committed to strengthening the community through Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.
  • As an Ambassador for the Y, communicates to members, volunteers, and the general public that diversity and inclusion are core to the Summit Area YMCA mission. The SAY is open and inclusive of all people regardless of their ability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation and socio-economic background and we must all strive courageously against any discriminatory behavior and will always abide by the Summit Area YMCA’s Diversity & Inclusion policy as explained in the Employee Handbook.
Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

Change Leadership: Facilitates, co-creates, and implements equitable change for the good of the organization and/or community.

Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y’s cause.

Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents, and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence.

Critical Thinking and Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgement

Innovation: Creates and implements new and relevant approaches and activities that improve and expand the Y’s work and impact in the community.

Developing Self & Others: Develops self and supports others, both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential.

Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.

Required Certifications

Salary & Benefits

This full-time, exempt-level position generally works Monday–Friday during standard business hours, with occasional evening or weekend responsibilities. The Salary range for this position is $95,000 – $110,000 annually, based on experience.

The Summit Area YMCA offers a generous benefits package that includes subsidized medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance. Paid time off for vacation, wellness, and holidays, Free YMCA family membership, discounts on YMCA programs and services (including childcare), Ongoing professional training and development and a 12% employer contribution to the YMCA retirement plan upon eligibility. 

Ready to lead a growing branch with purpose and vision?

Apply today to shape the future of the Berkeley Heights YMCA and the community we proudly serve.