Chief Executive Officer

The Silver Bay YMCA is an equal opportunity employer. We work to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential...
Job Description

THE OPPORTUNITY AT THE SILVER BAY YMCA
The Silver Bay YMCA (“Silver Bay”) is seeking a mission driven, visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead one of the most historic and distinctive YMCAs in the country. Founded in 1902, Silver Bay is more than a YMCA (or “Y”) campus. It is a place of renewal, reflection, learning, and connection that has shaped generations of families, faith communities, nonprofit leaders, educators, and youth. 

Situated on a 650-acre campus with one mile of shoreline along Lake George, within New York’s Adirondack Park, Silver Bay is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is consistently recognized as one of the premier family reunion and retreat destinations in the United States.

The next CEO will steward a complex, multi-dimensional organization that brings together hospitality, retreat services, youth development, spiritual life, and community engagement at scale. This leader will be responsible for honoring Silver Bay’s historic legacy while guiding its continued evolution. That includes strengthening financial sustainability, investing in people and culture, modernizing operations and facilities where needed, and ensuring the mission remains central to every decision.

ABOUT THE YMCA OF SILVER BAY 
For more than a century, Silver Bay has served as a gathering place where people step away from the pace of everyday life to reconnect with one another, with nature, and with purpose. Originally founded as a training center for YMCA and YWCA leaders, Silver Bay has grown into a year-round destination serving families, congregations, nonprofits, schools, and community groups from both the Lake George region as well as from across the country.

Today, Silver Bay operates as a destination-based YMCA offering conferences and retreats, family programs, youth development and education, spiritual life programming, arts and humanities experiences, extensive recreational activities on land and on water, and community focused initiatives. Thousands of day use guests and overnight visitors are welcomed each year, many returning generation after generation.  

Equally central to Silver Bay’s identity is its commitment to community benefit and access. Through scholarships, reduced rate stays, respite programs, youth development initiatives, emergency housing, and mission driven subsidies, Silver Bay ensures that its campus remains a place where people of all backgrounds and circumstances can find rest, renewal, and belonging.  In addition, Silver Bay provides off-campus services in nearby communities.

Silver Bay is both a campus and a community. It is shaped by hospitality, stewardship, and service, and the CEO plays a critical role in sustaining and strengthening that culture.

Our Mission
To cultivate relationships, strengthen communities, and nurture spirit, mind, and body for all.

Our North Star
To be a leader in creating thriving, connected, and sustainable communities - to be a place where people grow, connect, and are inspired by nature, nurturing lifelong well-being.

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 – We seek to strengthen relationships and community bonds, both on and off campus. 

Current Key Strategic Initiatives: 

  • Embed belonging across Silver Bay’s culture, programs, and guest experience to 
    ensure all who come feel welcomed, connected, and valued.
  • Strengthen fiscal sustainability by prioritizing data-driven investments, diversifying 
    revenue through services, grants, and philanthropy, and closing the operational  
    deficit through efficiencies and disciplined stewardship.
  • Enhance and evolve programs, services, and facilities to remain relevant, high-quality, and 
    aligned with changing guests, community, and organizational needs.
  • Position Silver Bay as a trusted community hub by deepening partnerships 
    that expands access, service, and impact across the region.
  • Advance service and stewardship by caring for the natural environment, fostering 
    spiritual growth, and developing youth leadership and character through 
    mission-centered programming.

Membership: 

  • Total Number of Members: 1,283
  • Total stays overnight (most recent year): 58,455\
  • Total distinct guests (most recent year): 13,010

Branch Information: 

  • Silver Bay operates as a single-campus association but also supports several youth programs in the local communities.

Core Programs: 

  • Conferences and retreats for faith-based, nonprofit, educational, and mission-aligned organizations
  • Hospitality and lodging services for overnight guests, families, and groups
  • Youth development and education programs, including the Early Learning Center, you swim lessons and teen programming
  • Spiritual life programming, retreats, and chapel services
  • Community engagement programs and partnerships serving local residents and regional organizations
  • Arts, humanities, aquatics, and recreational programming supporting lifelong learning and well-being

Annual Support Campaign: 

  • 2026 Goal: $2,255,000 (excluding ongoing capital campaign)
  • 2025 Goal: $2,025,000
  • 2025  Progress Toward Goal: $2,100,000
  • Total number of people receiving financial assistance prior year:
    • Respite stays: $950,000
    • Community memberships: $161,028
    • Youth development operating support: $315,000
    • Youth development scholarships: $105,000
    • Emergency housing: $39,000
    • Donations to partner nonprofits: $22,000

Recent Capital Campaign: A $5,000,000 campaign is underway

CEO Direct Reports (under Interim CEO, who is also the full-time Chief Operating Officer): 

  • Vice President Development & Governance Vice President Guest Experience
  • Vice President Sales & Marketing
  • Chief Financial Officer & Vice President Support Services
  • Vice President of Program
  • Director Spiritual Life
  • Director Facilities
  • Risk Manager 

Board of Trustees: 19 members with the following standing committees:

  • Chief Executive Officer Evaluation & Compensation Committee
  • Finance, overseeing Audit & Investment Subcommittees
  • Governance Committee
  • Strategic Planning Committee
  • Outreach & Engagement Committee

Financial Snapshot (as of 12/31/2025 unaudited): 

  • Current Annual Operating Expenses Size: $11,860,000
  • Current Debt: $2,200,000
  • Current Endowment: $19,000,000
  • Last year operating net: $(1,970,000) unaudited/without depreciation
  • Previous year operating net: $(3,309,591) without depreciation

ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY 
Silver Bay is located on the shores of Lake George within New York’s Adirondack Park, a region recognized for protected landscapes, four season recreation, and a strong sense of place. The setting offers a distinctive combination of natural beauty and accessibility, creating an environment where mission driven work, hospitality, and community life intersect.

The surrounding Lake George region blends small town character with a robust visitor economy. In peak seasons, the area is active with boating, hiking, paddling, farmers markets, community events, and a range of local dining. In the winter months, the Adirondacks remain vibrant through skiing, snowshoeing, and seasonal programming, offering a different pace and a strong year round community rhythm.

For organizational leaders, the region also offers strategic advantages. Silver Bay is within reach of major Northeast markets, supporting a broad geographic draw for conferences, retreats, and family travel. At the same time, the Adirondack setting provides a clear sense of retreat that aligns naturally with Silver Bay’s purpose as a place for renewal, learning, and connection.

Leadership in this community is visible and relationship driven. Success depends on strong partnerships, thoughtful stewardship of the campus and surrounding environment, and a clear commitment to serving both guests and local residents. For the right leader, this is a rare opportunity to steward a mission anchored in place and build lasting impact for generations to come.

Information Sites:

SALARY, BENEFITS, & CRITERIA 

Salary Range: $165,000 - $210,000

Benefits:

  • YMCA Retirement (10% paid by Y, 0% required by employee) contribution once eligibility is met (after 2 years of employment)
  • YMCA 403B savings account 100% employee contribution
  • Health plan (Employer/Employee contribution varies by coverage tier):
    • Employee (86% / 14%)
    • Employee + Child (75% / 25%)
    • Employee + Spouse (64.86% / 35.14%)
    • Family (50% / 50%)
  • Paid Time Off (PTO):
    • First year: 7 days if start date is on or before June 30
    • If start date is on or after July 1 accrues 1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours per calendar year
    • After first year (by length of service): 10 days, 15 days, 20 days, 25 days, 30 days (per personnel policy)
  • Other benefits per personnel policy:
    • Dental insurance (Employee 80%/20%, Employee Plus 45%/55%)
    • FSA annual maximum $3,300 and HRA (2026) $2,000
    • Group Life and AD&D: double annual wage (min $50,000, max $150,000)
    • Vision, life, disability, and accident insurance (voluntary)
    • YMCA membership at no cost and 25% employee discount on Silver Bay products and services
    • Optional on-campus housing available at the Silver Bay YMCA, with housing costs fully covered by the YMCA for those who choose to reside on campus.

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

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 greater than $8M annually.
  3. Minimum seven years prior experience in a senior leadership role with a YMCA or related experience at a comparable organization with direct supervision of multiple levels of staff and employees and demonstrable experience building and maintaining relationships with a diverse stakeholder base. 
Essential Functions

KEY SKILLS AND ABILITIES OF OUR NEXT CEO

The Board of Trustees (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: 
  
Collaborate with Board on Strategic Plan Development and Lead Implementation: Work effectively with the Board, volunteers, community leaders, and key staff, to create and develop a strategic plan that addresses the needs of the communities served by Silver Bay 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
 
Fiscal Management: Use high-level financial analysis to forecast financial trends, growth, and stability, while consistently leading the organization to balanced or surplus results by growing operating revenue and contributions and controlling costs. Empower and guide staff leaders to lead their departments to successful financial operations. Develop and implement stewardship strategies. Key competencies: Fiscal Management, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Developing Self & Others, Philanthropy  

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. Encourage the team by creating a spirit of camaraderie, connection, 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
 
Improve Operating Performance: Engage the board and appropriate staff to develop and execute 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 Silver Bay’s operations and activities. Key competencies: Developing Self & Others, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Innovation
 
Hospitality and Guest Satisfaction: Ensure that lodging, food service, conference, and recreational amenities are at a level sufficient to retain and attract new business and sustainably preserve Silver Bay as one of the Y’s most unique and historic conference retreat sites. This includes, among other things, maintenance and development of facilities, and sound management of capital projects.

SEARCH PROCESS TARGET DATES

  • Resumes accepted through: April 10th
  • Preliminary interviews scheduled: May 13th and 14th \
  • In-person interviews: June 5th and June 6t
  •  CEO selection made: June 2026
  • New CEO on board (anticipated): August 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/silver-bay-ymca-ceo 

QUESTIONS 

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

About the YMCA?
Rob Totaro, Director of Member Advancement, Alliance of New York State YMCAs, [email protected]