Chief Executive Officer

Salary
$128,296.54
$160,370.67
How to Apply
Apply Online
Resumes Accepted Until
Are you an influential leader passionate about shaping public policy, advocacy, and community impact?
Job Description

The Opportunity: 
Are you an influential leader passionate about shaping public policy, advocacy, and community impact? The North Carolina Alliance of YMCAs is seeking a dynamic Chief Executive Officer who thrives at the intersection of strategic leadership, impactful communication, and collaborative partnerships. In this influential role, you'll lead efforts to advance the YMCA’s mission statewide, driving policies that directly benefit children, families, and communities across North Carolina. You'll have the opportunity to champion powerful advocacy initiatives, build compelling narratives that resonate statewide, and foster meaningful partnerships across government, foundations, and community organizations. This role invites you to leverage your expertise in strategic communications, coalition-building, and financial stewardship to elevate the Alliance's visibility and ensure sustained organizational growth and impact. Join us to cultivate an inclusive, innovative culture, harness strategic opportunities for expansion, and strengthen relationships that position the YMCA as a trusted leader in youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. This is a rare opportunity to lead transformative work with lasting community and statewide impact.

Alliance Mission:
To drive advocacy and collaboration to move North Carolina YMCAs forward.

Alliance Vision:
Unified YMCAs for a strong North Carolina.

Alliance Values:
Integrity, Diversity and Relationships

About the YMCA and the NC Alliance of YMCAs: 
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits that strengthens communities through the impact areas of Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. Every day, the Ys work side-by-side with their neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

The 28 YMCAs in North Carolina serve 1 in 10 North Carolinians through programs and services. The YMCAs are powerful advocates for children, families, and individuals in our communities. We leverage our trusted position in the community, private funds, and volunteers to provide critical services that meet people where they are. We believe in working with our neighbors to address cross-sector challenges.

The Y’s core values are caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. As a commitment to our communities, we do not turn anyone away from our programs and services due to inability to pay. We work hard to eliminate barriers so that everyone can thrive at the Y.

The NC Alliance of YMCAs is an independent nonprofit organization that supports the state’s 28 YMCA Associations in advocacy and collaboration. The NC Alliance of YMCAs provides consultation services to local YMCAs in strategy planning, board governance, executive transition, collaborations, and risk mitigation.

Current Key Strategic Priorities: 

  • Speak as one Y to elevate North Carolinians’ understanding of the YMCA as a charitable partner to improve their communities and lives.
  • Ensure that every interaction any individual or group has with the Y is welcoming.
  • Build resilience in North Carolina youth, contributing to the state’s “whole child” objectives.
  • Establish the Y’s role in community integrated health networks that improve the health and well-being of the residents of North Carolina and improve our state’s health ranking.
  • Develop and implement a plan to identify, mobilize, and empower change agents in our communities and statewide.


2024 Alliance Community Impact Report 

Overall Impact:

  • 821,000 members served across North Carolina, providing community, connection, and well-being.
  • Operated 28 YMCA associations with 112 branches and 12 overnight camps.
  • Established 1,600 partnerships with healthcare, education, government, nonprofit, faith, and insurance sectors.

Youth Development:

  • Supported 606,000 children and teens in safe, nurturing environments.
  • Provided before/afterschool care and summer camps for 390,000 children, helping families maintain stable employment.
  • Distributed 2 million meals and snacks to ensure children’s nutritional needs were met.

Teen Mental Health:

  • Expanded or launched teen mental health programs at 93% of YMCAs.
  • 400 certified staff in Youth Mental Health First Aid.
  • Facilitated mental health referrals for 144 teens needing professional care.

Evidence-based Health Programs:

  • 74% of participants successfully met their health goals.
  • Healthy Weight and Your Child program saw 96% achieving positive outcomes (60% reduced BMI; 40% slowed BMI increase).
  • YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program participants averaged 6.5% weight loss, significantly reducing diabetes risk.

Social Responsibility & Community Support:

  • 100% YMCA participation in Hurricane Helene relief efforts, offering resources, housing, and emergency services.
  • Donated 403,000 pounds of food, including 168,000 pounds of fresh produce, addressing food insecurity.
  • Raised $32.5 million to provide YMCA access to under-resourced community members.
  • 35,500 volunteers engaged in community service through YMCA initiatives.
  • Collected blood donations sufficient to save 1,300 lives.

The Alliance provides consulting services to YMCAs: 

  • Strategy and Planning
  • Advocacy and Public Policy
  • Board Development and Governance
  • Collaborations: Shared Services, Management Agreements, Mergers
  • Partner with Y-USA in Executive Transition, CEO Search, and leads new CEO Onboarding
  • Operational Assessments
     

Alliance Staff: 

  • Director of Communications and Grants Administration
  • Director of Administration
  • Strategic Consultant (contractor) 

Alliance Board of Directors: 

  • Number of Governing Board Members: 11 (9 YMCA CEOs or senior leaders; 3 volunteers)
  • Task Forces
    • Global Relations and Community Engagement
    • Third Party Payor
  • Committees: 
    • Executive Committee

Financial: 

  • Current Annual Budget Size: $2.5M


Information Sites:

Alliance Website
YMCA of the USA

Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree in public administration, Nonprofit Management, Business, or a related field preferred.
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience, with at least 5 years in executive or senior-level nonprofit roles.
  • Demonstrated success in organizational leadership, strategic planning, and financial management, preferably within a federated nonprofit or membership-based organization.
  • Proven track record of successful advocacy and public policy work, including experience working with lobbyists, lawmakers, and government agencies.
  • Experience leading multi-stakeholder collaborations, coalitions, or statewide initiatives, ideally across multiple nonprofit or public sectors.
  • Strong background in fund development, including grant acquisition, public-private partnerships, and donor cultivation.
  • Exceptional strategic thinking and the ability to align operations with mission-driven goals.
  • Demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing teams, manage remote staff, and foster a positive and inclusive organizational culture.
  • Proficient in change management and navigating complex organizational dynamics with diplomacy and effectiveness.
  • Experience working with boards of directors and leading cross-functional or volunteer teams.
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to inspire and influence diverse audiences including board members, funders, public officials, and local Y leadership.
  • Strong public speaking, media, and presentation skills.
  • Ability to build trust and rapport across geographies, organizations, and communities.
  • Skilled in storytelling and brand advocacy, with a demonstrated ability to elevate the visibility of an organization’s impact.
  • Deep understanding of nonprofit operations, including governance, compliance, and charitable regulations.
  • Knowledge of the YMCA movement and its mission, values, and strategic priorities preferred.
  • Proficiency with budgeting, data analysis, and performance measurement systems.
  • Familiarity with digital communication tools, CRM platforms, and advocacy technology is a plus.
  • Must reside in the Raleigh-Durham-Triangle region. 
  • Attend and complete New CEO Institute through Y USA(if applicable) and YMCA Organizational Leadership Certification (or 3 years to attain from date of hire).
Essential Functions

Key Skills and Abilities of Our Next CEO:

  • Elevate and Advance the Alliance’s Advocacy Efforts: Work in partnership with all Ys in the Alliance on critical state, regional and federal issues. Work with the Alliance Board Members to advance statewide and federal legislative priorities. Create and disseminate annually a community benefit document to key stakeholders and elected officials that highlight stories, statistics, and funding that communicates the true value of local Ys community benefit as well as collectively as an Alliance. The Alliance identifies and advocates for public policies that address critical social issues in the Y’s areas of impact while also activating community leaders, policymakers, influencers, and the public to foster dialogue and catalyze positive change. Conducts advocacy events and training opportunities for Y leaders that raise the visibility of Ys in the Alliance as valued resources to respective state partners and groups in the Y’s areas of impact. Manage contract lobbyists (if applicable) to set and meet the contract’s deliverables. Key Competencies: Change Leadership, Communication and Influence, Collaboration
  • Develop, Implement and Lead Alliance Strategic Plan: Work effectively with CEOs, and key Alliance staff, to create and develop a strategic plan that addresses the needs of the Ys in the Alliance 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
  • Position the Alliance and its Member Ys as Vital Partners for Community and Statewide Change: Serve as an ambassador for the mission, purpose, and vision for the Alliance. Possess the ability to develop and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, while always upholding the highest standards and values of the Y and the Alliance. Ensure the Alliance is seen as one of the leading nonprofits committed to strengthening community by connecting elected officials and community stakeholders to the Alliance, and each other. Serve to educate and inform Board Members who are the key stakeholders so they can advocate as a collective unit. Key Competencies: Communication & Influence, Engaging Community, Collaboration
  • Steward State and Federal Funding Efforts: Identify and determine potential statewide and or federal funding opportunities that support the Alliance’s strategic plan and the work of Y’s collectively in the Alliance. Key Competencies: Critical Thinking and Decision-Making, Engaging Community, Communication & Influence
  • Be Seen as a Collaborator: Create sustainable relationships within the Alliance, Y Movement, Y-USA, and with other stakeholder organizations in service to the Alliance, the Ys, and the communities the Y serves which could include state agencies, legislative representatives and staff, membership organizations and other stakeholders as identified. Makes collaboration an organizational priority. Positions the Alliance as a convener and collaborator to address critical social, strategic, and operational issues identified by Ys. Executes strategic alliances with other Alliances, Y-USA, and statewide partners to benefit the communities that Ys serve. Key Competencies: Developing Self & Others, Emotional Maturity, Change Leadership, Functional Expertise    
  • Build and Lead Alliance Staff Team: Ensure a talent development system is in place and executed effectively with cultural competence. Hire, motivate, nurture, retain, and hold Alliance staff accountable for key objectives. Work towards recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting staff Encourage the team by creating a spirit of camaraderie, inclusion, and sense of mission and purpose. Create a learning organization to help staff achieve their highest potential. Key Competencies: Developing Self & Others, Emotional Maturity, Change Leadership

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: 

Public Policy & Advocacy Leadership

  • Proven ability to develop and execute effective advocacy strategies.
  • Experience overseeing legislative affairs and working collaboratively with lobbyists.
  • Skilled in stakeholder engagement and representation at policy and legislative events.
  • Strong understanding of public policy issues impacting children, families, and communities.
  • Ability to align state advocacy initiatives with national priorities and partner strategies.
  • Aptitude for engaging policy advisors to manage risk and advance legislative goals.

Communications & External Relations

  • Expertise in crafting comprehensive communications strategies for diverse audiences.
  • Proficient in managing organizational branding, including websites, social media, and media relations.
  • Strong storytelling skills to develop compelling narratives demonstrating community impact.
  • Ability to foster communication and collaboration across local, state, and national partnerships.
  • Skilled at enhancing organizational visibility and reputation with stakeholders and the public.

Strategic Collaborations & Partnerships

  • Proven ability to secure and manage government, foundation, and community partnerships.
  • Experience cultivating strategic alliances across multiple sectors to advance organizational goals.
  • Skilled at relationship-building with policymakers, government agencies, and community leaders.
  • Demonstrated capability to align local initiatives with broader strategic and legislative objectives.
  • The ability to build and sustain coalitions that leverage collective resources and amplify impact.

Operations & Organizational Leadership

  • Strategic planning expertise, with proven success in guiding organizational vision and long-term strategy.
  • Skilled at collaborating with boards and staff to set and achieve strategic priorities.
  • Experience fostering inclusive cultures and engaging in diverse volunteer and stakeholder groups.
  • Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, fiscal accountability, and resource stewardship.
  • Proven track record in staff recruitment, development, and performance management.
  • Ability to ensure organizational compliance with legal, regulatory, and governance requirements.
  • Experienced in providing technical assistance and consultation to affiliate organizations.
  • Commitment to maintaining quality service delivery and meaningful communication across the organization.

Salary Range: $128,296.54-$160,370.67 annually

Benefits:

  • YMCA Retirement (12% percent paid by the Alliance) contribution once eligibility is met
  • YMCA 403B savings account
  • Health, dental, disability insurance plans
  • Other benefits per personnel policy

Residency Expectation: Must reside in the greater Triangle area of North Carolina (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill and surrounding areas)

Search Process Target Dates:

  • Resumes accepted through midnight, Monday, July 14, 2025 
  • Preliminary interviews scheduled: Wednesday, August 6, 2025   
  • In-person interviews: Monday, August 18th and Tuesday, August 19th
  • New CEO on board: October 6, 2025

References, Background Check, Employment Verification 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.

Candidates who advance to final interviews will need to submit six references (four professional and two personal). References checked only with prior notification. A successful candidate accepting the offer must pass a background check, provide valid identification for employment eligibility verification, possess a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record and access to reliable transportation. Candidate 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 of the Triangle’s personnel policies may require further screening.

Candidates must apply via the following website: https://tinyurl.com/nc-alliance-of-ymcas-ceo  

Questions?
Contact Shaneé Jenkins, Executive Leadership-CEO Search, YMCA of the USA, [email protected].