Chief Executive Officer

YMCA
Salary
$165,000.00
$185,000.00
How to Apply
Apply Online
Resumes Accepted Until
The YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo is an equal opportunity employer. We work to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reach...
Job Description

THE OPPORTUNITY

The YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo is seeking a values driven, community centered Chief Executive Officer to lead a mission critical organization with a powerful legacy and a clear runway for growth. This is a rare opportunity to step into a respected community anchor and shape what the YMCA can become for the next generation of children, families, and neighbors across Kalamazoo County.

Founded in 1866, the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo has been part of the fabric of Kalamazoo and Portage for more than 150 years. Today, the YMCA’s work reaches far beyond a building. It is a trusted partner to families, a safe place for young people to grow, a pathway to wellness, and a catalyst for connection and belonging. With strong community recognition, committed staff, and an engaged board, the organization is well positioned to expand its impact and deepen its relevance in a changing environment.

The next CEO will partner closely with an active Board of Directors and a capable senior leadership team to advance the YMCA’s mission, strengthen financial sustainability, and build a culture of philanthropy that fuels long term community impact. The CEO will lead multi site operations with a relentless focus on quality and member experience, while elevating partnerships, visibility, and trust across the region. This leader will bring strategic clarity and steady execution, inspiring staff, volunteers, and donors around a shared vision that keeps the YMCA accessible, thriving, and deeply connected to the communities it serves.

ABOUT THE YMCA OF GREATER KALAMAZOO
The YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo is a mission driven nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Serving Kalamazoo and Portage, the YMCA creates spaces where children, teens, adults, and families can belong, build confidence, and thrive. With a commitment to living the YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, the organization works every day to remove barriers to participation and expand access to programs, services, and supports that help people reach their full potential.

The YMCA operates across multiple locations, including the Maple Branch and Portage Branch, and extends its reach through community-based sites such as the Lincoln School Y Youth Center. Across these settings, the YMCA delivers high impact offerings that meet community needs, from swimming and safety around water, to childcare and youth enrichment, to wellness and chronic disease prevention. The YMCA also maintains a strong commitment to a culture of safety, including child abuse prevention practices and policies that help ensure safe, welcoming environments for all.

The YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo partners with schools, civic leaders, and community organizations to deepen outcomes for individuals and families. Through financial assistance and philanthropy, the YMCA supports access for those who may otherwise be unable to participate, advancing its community access vision and ensuring that the YMCA remains a trusted community anchor for generations to come.

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: 

  • Advance a clear strategic direction, including the association’s community access goal described as 1 in 1 by 31.
  • Lead the Portage renovation and expansion campaign, strengthening fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and stewardship.
  • Strengthen operational excellence across sites, ensuring strong programs in youth development, swim, childcare, and healthy living.
  • Sustain financial strength through disciplined budgeting, long range planning, and thoughtful management of current debt obligations.
  • Deepen partnerships with schools, government, and community organizations to expand reach and outcomes for families across Kalamazoo County.
  • Invest in staff development and culture, maintaining a values aligned environment with clear accountability and strong talent systems.

Membership: 

  • Membership: 20,931 active members and 5,643 membership units.
  • Membership mix: 5 percent youth, 9 percent teens, 13 percent young adults, 22 percent adults, 16 percent one adult household, 33 percent two adult households, 2 percent three adult household.

Branch Information: Maple Branch, Portage Branch, and additional program sites including Lincoln School Y Youth Center.

Core Programs:

  • Youth Development, including youth sports, camps, teen leadership, and enrichment programs
  • Child Care, including before and after school care and day camp offerings
  • Aquatics, including swim lessons, safety around water, and water fitness programs
  • Healthy Living, including wellness coaching, group exercise, and chronic disease prevention programs
  • Fitness and Community Wellness, including strength and cardio training and member engagement initiatives
  • Family Engagement, including family events, parent support, and intergenerational programming
  • Community Access and Outreach, including partnerships and programs delivered through community-based sites

Annual Support Campaign: 

  • Prior Year’s Total: $454,532 (2024 year-end)
  • Prior Year’s Total: $575,475 (2025 year-end)
  • 2026 Budget Year total: $680,800

Recent Capital Campaign: Moderate goal $2.5M to $3.0M, fundraising goal $5.0M, project cost $6.5M, YMCA contribution $1.5M, raised to date $2,000,370.02.

CEO Direct Reports: 

  • VP of Support Services and CFO
  • VP of Membership and Fund Development 
  • VP of Program Operations 
  • VP of Youth Development and Grants 
  • VP of Facilities 
  • VP of Assessment and CI

Board of Directors: 18 members with the following standing committees:

  • Committee: Executive Committee  
  • Committee: Finance Committee 
  • Committee: Facilities Committee 
  • Committee: DEI Committee

Financial Snapshot:

  • Current Annual Budget Size: $11,837,719 (2026 Budget) 
  • Current Debt: $2,985,798 updated as of 12/31/2025 
  • Current Endowment: as of 12/31/2025 $1,523,424.57 
  • Last year operating net: 2025 $409,454.60 
  • Previous year operating net: 2024 $94,953.84 
  • Previous year operating net: 2023 $289,069.80

ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY 
Kalamazoo and Portage offer a compelling blend of purpose, opportunity, and quality of life. The region is anchored by higher education and innovation, including Western Michigan University and a strong ecosystem of colleges, healthcare, and research. It is also home to nationally recognized employers in life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare, creating a vibrant environment for talent, partnerships, and community investment.

Residents enjoy an active, connected lifestyle with an emphasis on access to nature, recreation, and community gathering spaces. Portage’s park system includes amenities like Portage Creek Bicentennial Park, a backbone of the city’s trail network with miles of multi use trails and scenic views, and destinations such as Celery Flats, which offers year round trails and facilities that support families and outdoor enthusiasts.

The community is nationally known for The Kalamazoo Promise, a scholarship initiative that supports eligible Kalamazoo Public Schools graduates with tuition coverage for post secondary education at eligible Michigan institutions, reinforcing a shared commitment to youth opportunity and long term community strength. The region is also well connected for travel, supported by the Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport, with daily flights to major hubs including Chicago O’Hare and Detroit.

Information Sites:

 

Qualifications

Criteria for Candidates: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, human services, or a related field, a related graduate degree is preferred.
  • Ten or more years of broad management experience, preferably including program development, philanthropic development, and multi site operations.
  • YMCA Organizational Leader certification is required within three years from date of hire.
  • Insight and skill to effectively lead a voluntary, nonprofit organization within a complex internal and external environment.
  • Demonstrated experience in community relations, financial development, financial management, and board and volunteer development.
  • Ability to attract, retain, lead, and motivate high performing staff and volunteer leadership.
  • Knowledge and understanding of community resources and the ability to partner these resources with the YMCA to meet strategic objectives.
  • Regarded as a peer to other top level community leaders.
  • Commitment to the mission of the YMCA and the ability to uphold its values and ethics.
  • Ability to serve as an articulate spokesperson on behalf of the YMCA.
  • Knowledge of and experience with diverse populations is preferred, and the ability to speak a language in addition to English may be helpful.
  • Understanding of the national and international relationships of the YMCA is preferred.
  • Familiarity with EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System, or willingness to adopt it, as the management system used at the Kalamazoo Y.

 

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 include 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

Build and Lead Staff: Ensure a talent development system is in place and executed effectively with cultural competence. Hire, motivate, nurture, retain, and hold staff accountable for key objectives. Work towards recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting staff that represent the diversity of the communities you serve. 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, Inclusion, Emotional Maturity, Change Leadership

Position the Y as a Vital Partner for Community Change: Serve as an ambassador for the mission, purpose, and vision for the YMCA within the community. 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. Ensure your Y is seen as a leading nonprofit, committed to strengthening community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose, and each other. Key competencies: Communication & Influence, Engaging Community, Collaboration

Fiscal Management: Use high-level financial analysis to forecast financial trends, growth, and stability, while consistently leading the organization to balance or surplus operations by growing earned revenue and contributions while 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

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

SALARY, BENEFITS, & CRITERIA

Salary Range: $165,000-$185,000 annually

Benefits:

  • YMCA Retirement 12% paid by Y, once eligibility is met
  • YMCA 403B savings account 100% employee contribution  
  • Health plan: Y pays 80% employee pays 20% health insurance – Vison Insurance is offered 100% paid by the employee Dental is offered the Y pays 100% of the employee and the employee pays 100% of family  
  • Paid Time Off (PTO): 120 hours of PTO, 40 hours of sick time and 56 hours of Floating holidays. 
  • Other benefits per personnel policy: Cell phone $50.00 per month

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

SEARCH PROCESS TARGET DATES

  • Resumes accepted through: 2/23
  • Preliminary interviews scheduled: 3/18 & 3/19 
  • In-person interviews: 4/30 & 5/1
  • CEO selection made: May
  • New CEO on board (anticipated): May/Early June

*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, 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/ymca-of-greater-kalamazoo-ceo 

QUESTIONS

About the Search Process?
Grace Matos, YMCA of the USA CEO Search, [email protected], 312-419-6810

About the YMCA?
Rebecca Schnetzer-Humbel, Michigan State Alliance of YMCAs, [email protected]