Chief Executive Officer

KEY SKILLS AND ABILITIES OF OUR NEXT CEO 
The Joplin Family YMCA Board of Directors seeks an experienced, mission-driven leader with the background and character to excel in the following areas:

Develop and Implement a Strategic Plan
Work collaboratively with volunteers, community partners, and staff leadership to create and execute a strategic plan that reflects the needs and aspirations of the Joplin community. This includes establishing clear organizational priorities, defining measurable goals, and ensuring consistent follow-through that moves the Y forward. Key Competencies: Change Leadership, Communication & Influence, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Program/Project Management

Position the Joplin Family YMCA as a Vital Partner for Community Change
Serve as a visible and trusted ambassador for the mission and values of the Joplin Family YMCA. Build and maintain strong relationships with city leaders, schools, businesses, donors, and partner organizations to increase the Y’s impact and ensure our programs meet community needs. Key Competencies: Communication & Influence, Engaging Community, Collaboration

Improve Operating Performance
Partner with the Board and staff to develop an annual operational plan that supports safe, high-quality, and sustainable practices across all departments. Address challenges proactively, anticipate future needs, and ensure the Y is operating efficiently and effectively to best serve our members and community. Key Competencies: Developing Self & Others, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Innovation

Build and Lead Staff
Foster a positive and inclusive culture where staff feel supported, valued, and motivated to excel. Ensure strong hiring and onboarding practices, ongoing professional development, and clear accountability. Build a team environment grounded in trust, connection, and a shared sense of purpose. Key Competencies: Developing Self & Others, Inclusion, Emotional Maturity, Change Leadership

Cause-Driven Leadership
Partner with the Board and staff to develop an annual operational plan that supports safe, high-quality, and sustainable practices across all departments. Address challenges proactively, anticipate future needs, and ensure the Y is operating efficiently and effectively to best serve our members and community. Key Competencies: Developing Self & Others, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Innovation

Fiscal Management
Demonstrate strong financial leadership through forecasting, budgeting, and maintaining stable operations. Guide and empower department leaders to achieve financial strength within their areas while supporting growth in earned revenue, philanthropic contributions, and resource stewardship. Key Competencies: Fiscal Management, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Developing Self & Others, Philanthropy 

ABOUT THE JOPLIN FAMILY YMCA
The Joplin Family YMCA has served our community for more than 130 years, beginning with its founding in 1891 and later joining with the YWCA in 1985 to form the organization we know today. From its earliest days—when the Y provided housing for young men, supported servicemen from Camp Crowder, and offered some of the first community wellness programs—to its current role as a hub for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, the Joplin Family Y has remained committed to strengthening the spirit, mind, and body of all.

Our Y has continually evolved to meet Joplin’s changing needs: expanding programs, opening new facilities, and embracing innovative approaches to support families, seniors, and children across the region. Today, the Joplin Family YMCA at McIntosh Circle serves as a gathering place for people of all backgrounds, offering youth sports, after-school care, swim lessons, health and wellness programs, and community outreach that ensures access for all.

As we look toward the future, the Joplin Family YMCA is coordinating a transformational Refresh Capital Campaign, designed to modernize our facility, create family-friendly spaces, improve accessibility, and strengthen our role as a vital community hub. The redesign supports school-age services, enhances wellness experiences, and connects Joplin residents and KCU medical school students with a state-of-the-art environment that reflects the needs of a growing and dynamic community. Along the new Tin Cup Trail, we look forward to creating new opportunities for wellness, connectivity, and community engagement.

Rooted in our rich history and inspired by the people we serve, the Joplin Family YMCA continues to be more than a building—it is a place where relationships are formed, families are supported, and lives are changed.

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

Our Cause & Values
To strengthen the foundations of community and instill the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Our Culture:

• The Y Experience – The Y Experience is built from our mission and encompasses the values and philosophy by which we serve and operate
• Welcoming – We are open to all. We are a place where you can be yourself and find yourself in others.
• Genuine – We value you and embrace your individuality.
• Hopeful – We believe in you and your potential to do good in the world.
• Nurturing – We support you as you become the best-version-of-yourself.
• Determined – Above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger, beginning with you

Current Key Strategic Initiatives: 

• Develop new and innovative programs that meet the evolving needs of the Joplin community.
• Strengthen membership recruitment and retention through intentional engagement strategies and high-quality member experiences.
• Enhance internal and external marketing to improve visibility, communication, and community awareness of YMCA programs and services.
• Implement a comprehensive member engagement plan that deepens relationships, increases participation, and supports long-term membership growth.
• Ensure strong fiscal stewardship to maintain long-term financial stability and mission sustainability.
• Build collaborative partnerships with local organizations, schools, healthcare providers, and community leaders to expand impact.
• Grow the YMCA Endowment Fund to secure the future of our mission and increase access for generations to come.
• Establish consistent methods for measuring impact, program quality, and community outcomes.
• Conduct mission-driven and cost-analysis reviews of all programs to ensure alignment with community needs and organizational priorities. 

Membership: 

• Total Number of Members - 4380
• Total Number of Membership Units - 1892

Branch Information:

• Full-sized Gymnasium
• Community Room
• Kids Zone
• Three Studios
• Walking Track
• Zero Entry Heated Indoor Pool
• Wellness/Functional Training Area
• Two Locker Rooms and Two Community Rooms

Core Programs:

• After School Program at 11 School Sites
• Day Camps
• Swim Lessons
• Youth Sports

Annual Support Campaign: 

• Current Year Goal: $60,000
• Prior Year’s Total: $60,000
• Current Year’s Progress Toward Goal: $49,700

Recent Capital Campaign: 
The Joplin Family YMCA is currently engaged in its Refresh Capital Campaign, a project with a total goal of $2.6 million. 92% of goal has been raised. 

CEO Direct Reports: 

• Chief Financial Officer
• Administrative Assistant
• Child Services Director
• Membership Director
• Program/Aquatics Director
• Wellness Director
• Custodial/Janitorial

Board of Directors:  13 members with the following standing committees:

• Executive
• Board Development

Financial Snapshot:

• Current Annual Budget Size: $1,907,048
• Current Debt: $0
• Current Endowment: $0
• Last year operating net: $(558,171)
• Previous year operating net: $(591,513)
• Previous year operating net: $(190,473)

ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY 
Located in the heart of Southwest Missouri, Joplin is a vibrant, resilient, and welcoming community known for its strong civic spirit and deep sense of connection. With a population of nearly 53,000, Joplin serves as a regional hub for healthcare, education, commerce, and outdoor recreation. The city continues to grow through major investments in education and development, including the expansion of Kansas City University’s Medical and Dental Schools and the Tin Cup Trail, which has created new opportunities for wellness, connectivity, and community engagement.

Joplin offers an affordable cost of living, family-friendly neighborhoods, and a supportive environment where people look out for one another. Our community values faith, service, and collaboration—qualities that align closely with the mission of the Joplin Family YMCA. From exceptional schools and thriving local businesses to a strong nonprofit network and an active arts and culture scene, Joplin provides a high quality of life for individuals and families alike.

The Joplin Family YMCA is proud to be part of this dynamic and caring community—one that continues to rebuild, grow, and innovate, while honoring its history and strengthening its future.

Information Sites:
City of Joplin                                   https://www.joplinmo.org/
Joplin Chamber of Commerce           https://joplincc.com
Missouri Southern State University   https://www.mssu.edu
Kansas City University                    https://www.kansascity.edu/
Freeman Hospital                           https://www.freemanhealth.com
Mercy Hospital                               https://www.mercy.net
Joplin Public Schools                      https://www.joplinschools.org/

SALARY, BENEFITS, & CRITERIA

Salary Range: $80,000 to $118,000 annually 

Benefits:

• YMCA Retirement (9% paid by Y, 3% by employee) contribution once eligibility is met
• YMCA 403B savings account 100% employee contribution
• Health plan (75% paid by Y, 25% by employee)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) as defined in personnel policy
• Other benefits per personnel policy

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

SEARCH PROCESS TARGET DATES

• Resumes accepted through: January 19th 2026
• Preliminary interviews scheduled: February 12th, 2026
• In-person interviews: March 11 and March 12th, 2026
• CEO selection made: Week of March 16th, 2026
• New CEO on board (anticipated): Week of April 13th, 2026

*dates subject to change

HOW TO APPLY

References, Background Check, and Organizational Leader Certification:
Candidates must submit (pdf format only) the following in their online application: a resume and 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. 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/Joplin-Family-Y-CEO

QUESTIONS 

About the Search Process?
Shea Boschee, Search Consultant, YMCA of the USA, [email protected]

About the YMCA?
Patty Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Missouri State Alliance of YMCAs, [email protected]