Chief Executive Officer

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

The Opportunity

Lead with Purpose. Inspire a Community. Shape the Future.

For over 150 years, the YMCA of Muncie has stood as a pillar of strength, hope, and transformation in East Central Indiana. As one of the nation’s oldest and most respected Ys,  it has evolved alongside the community, always innovating, always centering people, and always leading with purpose. Today, the YMCA of Muncie invites a visionary, mission-driven executive to build on this remarkable legacy and lead the organization into its next era of growth and impact.

This is a rare opportunity for a bold and experienced leader to take the helm of a vibrant, future-ready YMCA that has just completed a $32 million capital campaign and unveiled a new, state-of-the-art downtown facility. With a $10.3 million operating budget, a dynamic array of programs, and a growing membership base, the organization is positioned for meaningful expansion and transformational community leadership.

The incoming President and CEO will step into a role of influence and opportunity, guiding a passionate team, working alongside a highly engaged board, and partnering with key institutions such as Ball State University, Muncie Community Schools, and IU Health to drive community wellness, and youth development. From a nationally recognized early learning center to a beloved lakeside resident camp to bold health initiatives, the YMCA of Muncie is deeply embedded in the life of the community and its next leader will shape how that impact evolves for generations to come.

The Board seeks a strategic and relational leader, someone who sees possibility, builds trust, and turns vision into action. The ideal candidate will be energized by the opportunity to lead in a community that values connection, service, and innovation. They will bring the skills to drive operational excellence and financial sustainability, the heart to cultivate meaningful partnerships, and the courage to lead boldly at a time when the Y is poised for even greater reach.

Nestled just over an hour from Indianapolis, Muncie blends the charm of small-town life with the energy of a university city. It’s a place where families grow, neighbors know one another, and community still means something. This is not only a place to lead, it’s a place to belong.

If you are a purpose-driven executive who wants to make an enduring difference through visionary leadership, we invite you to explore the opportunity to lead the YMCA of Muncie and shape the future of a community that’s ready to thrive.

Our Mission 

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

Our Cause and Values

To strengthen the foundations of community and instilling the values of love, care, serve, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Position Description
The YMCA of Muncie is seeking a collaborative, purpose-driven leader to serve as its next President & Chief Executive Officer. This role is the heart of a high-impact organization, bringing together people, programs, and partnerships to deliver on the YMCA’s mission and ensure its long-term strength and relevance in the community.

The President & CEO will serve as the chief strategist and operational leader, guiding the organization with clarity, consistency, and care. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will oversee the organization’s financial health, lead a talented team of staff and volunteers, and ensure the effective delivery of programs that support youth, families, and individuals at every stage of life.

This leader will work across sectors, partnering with schools, healthcare systems, local government, and businesses, to expand the Y’s reach and deepen its role as a trusted community anchor. As the primary spokesperson and ambassador, the President & CEO will strengthen relationships, grow philanthropic support, and elevate the Y’s visibility throughout the region.

Internally, the President & CEO will foster a culture that reflects the Y’s core values, welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined. This includes supporting staff development, ensuring operational excellence, and aligning day-to-day work with long-term strategic priorities. The CEO will be responsible for driving innovation while preserving the organization’s rich legacy and community trust.

The ideal candidate will bring a track record of leading mission-based organizations, a keen ability to navigate complexity, and a strong sense of purpose rooted in service. They will be a systems thinker, a relationship builder, and a leader who inspires confidence through integrity and action.

Additional Important Information

Area Amenities and Community Benefits

Muncie, Indiana offers an exceptional quality of life with the perfect balance of professional opportunity and small-town charm. Known nationally as “Middletown, USA” for its historic role in sociological studies, Muncie continues to serve as a vibrant, inclusive, and family-friendly community in East Central Indiana.

The city is home to Ball State University, a major educational and cultural hub that enriches the community with year-round arts programming, Division I athletics, and lifelong learning opportunities. Residents enjoy access to world-class amenities such as the David Owsley Museum of Art, Emens Auditorium, and the Minnetrista Cultural Center.

Outdoor enthusiasts benefit from abundant green space and recreational offerings, including the scenic Cardinal Greenway Trail, Prairie Creek Reservoir, and multiple local parks and nature preserves. Families are drawn to the region for its safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, and strong community values. A mix of public and private K–12 education options, youth sports leagues, and civic organizations create a nurturing environment for children and teens.

Located just over an hour from Indianapolis, Muncie offers easy access to the state’s capital while maintaining a lower cost of living and close-knit community atmosphere. With a rich cultural identity, a strong sense of civic pride, and active community involvement, Muncie is a welcoming place to call home, for individuals and families alike.

Muncie Area YMCA Facts

Muncie, Indiana, population approximately 70,000 is located about 50 miles northeast of Indianapolis and serves as the county seat of Delaware County. It is a community shaped by strong civic leadership and long-term philanthropic investment. 

The city’s revitalized downtown includes a growing mix of restaurants, local shops, coffee houses, breweries, and arts venues. Recent development along the White River has added new housing options, including riverfront apartments, enhancing the city’s walkability and access to outdoor space. 

Muncie is home to Ball State University, a Division I institution that plays a central role in the city’s identity and economy. The university offers a range of academic and cultural assets, including the David Owsley Museum of Art, Emens Auditorium, a planetarium, and a well-known orchid greenhouse. It also partners with a teaching hospital, contributing to the region’s healthcare and educational infrastructure. 

Muncie offers a high quality of life at a comparatively low cost of living, particularly in housing. Whether in historic neighborhoods, newer subdivisions, or downtown developments, residents benefit from affordability that can be difficult to find in larger metro areas. 

Outdoor and recreational amenities are a key feature of life in Muncie. The city lies along the Cardinal Greenway, a 62-mile rail trail used for biking, running, and walking. The White River Greenway connects neighborhoods and parks along the river, and Prairie Creek Reservoir offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities. 

For families, Muncie offers a range of high-quality K–12 educational options. Muncie Community Schools is in the midst of a thoughtful transformation, supported by Ball State University and the broader community, with growing investments in specialized programs, student achievement, and educational equity. The district has expanded programming to include a dual language immersion track and is launching a new Montessori program, reflecting a commitment to innovation and personalized learning. Burris Laboratory School, located on the Ball State campus, offers a rigorous K–12 curriculum with an emphasis on academic excellence, teacher preparation, and small class sizes. It shares its campus and collaborative spirit with the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities, a residential public high school for high-achieving students from across the state. Both schools consistently earn strong marks for student achievement and college readiness. Families can also explore several well-regarded school districts in Delaware County, each offering supportive learning environments in more suburban or rural settings.

Current Key Strategic Initiatives 

  • Drive Meaningful Experiences – Facilitate relationships, embrace innovation, and provide pathways for increasing one’s sense of belonging.
  • Deliver Operational Excellence – Achieve exceptional and consistent performance, effectiveness and outcomes.  
  • Effective Campus Partners – Convene campus partners to leverage resources to unleash a collective impact, taking what was once a concept to reality. 
  • Proactive Resource Development – Implement long-term strategies and investments to strengthen the Y’s ability to serve today, tomorrow and far into the future.  

Membership 

  • Total Number of Members in Association: 14,010 
  • Total Number of Membership Units   in Association: 5,530 
  • 33% Youth
  • 17% Adults
  • 44% Household
  • 6% of members are via corporate partners

Branch/Facility Information 

  • Association Office: The Association Office serves as the administrative hub for the YMCA of Muncie. It houses the leadership team, State Alliance MSO (management services organization) and supports all branches in delivering mission-driven programs that strengthen the community in spirit, mind, and body. 
  • Muncie YMCA: The Muncie YMCA is a state-of-the-art facility offering modern fitness amenities, community gathering spaces, and youth-focused programming. It serves as a vibrant hub where people of all ages can thrive together, emphasizing health, learning, and connection. The Y proudly partners with Muncie Community Schools to deliver aquatic, enrichment and afterschool programs, and with Open Door Health Services to expand access to health education and wellness services—strengthening the social fabric of the community through collaborative impact  
  • Yorktown YMCA: The Yorktown YMCA offers 24/7 access to its facilities, providing flexibility for members to work out at their convenience.  
  • Camp Crosley YMCA: Situated on the shores of Lake Tippecanoe, Camp Crosley YMCA offers a traditional camp experience that teaches self-reliance, a love for nature, and leadership development. Since 1915, it has provided youth with opportunities to engage in activities like waterfront adventures, campfires, and archery, all while building meaningful relationships. 
  • Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center: The Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center is a collaborative initiative between the YMCA of Muncie and Ball State University. It offers a Reggio Emilia-inspired, whole-child-focused curriculum, serving as a model environment for child care centers and providing professional development opportunities for future educators. 

Programs 

  • Early Childhood Education
  • Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center
  • Nature Preschool
  • Parent/Child Discover & Play
  • Wonder Woods (outdoor learning forest)
  • School Age Child Care (before and after school care for grades K–5)

Camps

  • Day Camp (school-age)
  • Kids on the Move (summer wellness program)
  • Resident Camp at Camp Crosley YMCA (overnight, year-round experiences)

Aquatics

  • Group Swim Lessons (children, teens, adults)
  • Parent/Child Swim Lessons
  • Private Swim Lessons
  • Master Swim Program

Youth and Teen Programs

  • Youth Sports: basketball, cheerleading, gymnastics, dance, indoor street hockey
  • Fun Fit Play! and Homeschool P.E.
  • Teen Wellness Center Orientation
  • Sprouts Gardening and Healthy Kids Day
  • Workforce Development and Career Readiness

Health and Wellness

  • Group Exercise (in-person and virtual)
  • Personal Training
  • Rock Steady Boxing (Parkinson’s Disease program)
  • Pickleball
  • Chronic Disease Prevention and Management

Community Engagement

  • Facility Rentals
  • Good Friday Breakfast
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • Prayer & Share
  • Workforce Development Initiatives

Annual Campaign 

  • Prior Year’s Total: $198,201 
  • Current Year’s Goal: $200,000 
  • Current Year’s Amount raised as of May 20, 2025: $164,000  

Previous Year’s Campaign Impact

  • Total number of people receiving financial assistance (scholarship): 4,662
  • Total amount awarded in financial assistance (scholarship): $322,315  

Capital Campaign(s) 
The YMCA of Muncie successfully completed a $32 million capital campaign in 2024, resulting in the opening of a new, state-of-the-art downtown YMCA facility. The organization is now entering Phase 3 of its capital development efforts, with a $7 million campaign underway to renovate and expand the dining hall and kitchen at Camp Crosley YMCA.

Staff

Current Staff 

  • FT - 6
  • PT – 320
  • Seasonal - 116

CEO Direct Reports

  • Chief Operating Officer
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • VP of Mission Advancement 
  • Executive Administrative Assistant 

 

Board of Directors

  • Number of Governing Board Members 16 
  • Committees:  
    • Executive 
    • Governance 
    • Finance 
    • Charitable Giving 
  • Branch Board/Advisory 
    • Membership 
    • Camp 
    • Youth  
    • Mitchell  
    • Task forces as commissioned/necessary 

Financial Snapshot

  • Current Annual Budget Size: $10.34MM
  • Current Debt: $6M (capital campaign bridge loan)
  • Muncie/Delaware Endowment: $125,000
  • Blackford County Endowment: $176,000
  • Trust Funds (3): $9,000,000
  • 3-year annual surplus/deficit:
    • Last year: $2,419,603
    • Previous year: $7,458,506
    • Previous year: $4,987,051 

Population & Demographics

Age Distribution:

  • Median age in Muncie: 29.5 years
  • Median age in Delaware County: 35.7 years
  • Racial and Ethnic Composition (Muncie):
  • White: 78.8%
  • Black or African American: 8.2%
  • Two or more races: 5.9%
  • Asian: 2.0%
  • Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 3.4% 

Economic Indicators:

  • Median household income in Muncie: $43,395
  • Median household income in Delaware County: $56,932
  • Poverty rate in Muncie: 29.6%
  • Poverty rate in Delaware County: 19.9% 

Education:

  • Percentage of Muncie residents with a high school diploma or higher: 89.0%
  • Percentage with a bachelor's degree or higher: 25.7% 
Qualifications

Criteria for Candidates:

  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, human services, or a related area; a related graduate degree is preferred.
  • YMCA Organizational Leader certification required within three years from the date of hire.
  • Ten or more years of broad management experience, preferably in the YMCA and/or nonprofit sector, including strategic planning, board and volunteer development, philanthropic development, and multi-site operations.
  • Insight and skill to effectively lead a voluntary, nonprofit organization within a complex internal and external environment.
  • Demonstrated experience in community relations, financial development, fiscal management, and board and volunteer development.
  • Ability to attract, retain, lead, and motivate quality staff and volunteer leadership.
  • Knowledge of community resources and the ability to engage and align those resources with the YMCA to meet strategic objectives.
  • Must be regarded as a peer among other top-level community leaders.
  • Must demonstrate a deep commitment to the mission and values of the YMCA and uphold its ethics.
  • Must be an articulate spokesperson on behalf of the YMCA.
  • Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
  • Ability to speak a language in addition to English may be helpful.
  • An understanding of the national and international relationships of the YMCA is preferred.
  • YMCA Organizational Leader Certification or ability to achieve within 3 years.
Essential Functions

Key Performance Objectives 

  • 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 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
  • 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 Range: $165,000 and $195,000 annually

Benefits: The YMCA of Muncie offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our team members.

YMCA Retirement Plan:

  • 10% employer-funded contribution once eligibility requirements are met
  • 403(b) Retirement Savings Account: Eligible on the first day of employment
  • Generous and flexible paid time off (PTO) policy that rewards longevity and supports work-life balance
  • Health insurance with a Health Savings Account (HSA) option
  • Dental and vision coverage
  • Short-term and long-term disability insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Complimentary YMCA facility membership and program discounts
  • Additional benefits as outlined in the personnel policy

Residency Expectation: The CEO is expected to be highly engaged and visible in our community. Living in the YMCA’s service area is required.

Other Sites for Information:
City/County Website: www.muncie.in.gov  and www.co.delaware.in.us/government/ 
Tourism/Visitor Bureau: www.destinationmuncie.org 
Chamber of Commerce: www.munciechamber.org 
University/College: www.bsu.edu 
Ivy Tech Community College: Muncie - Ivy Tech Community College
Hospital System: www.iuhealth.org/find-locations/iu-health-ball-memorial-hospital 
School System: www.muncie.k12.in.us 
YMCA of the USA: www.ymca.org 
State Alliance: www.indianaymcas.org 

Target Dates for the Search Process

Resumes accepted through: 6/23        
Preliminary interviews scheduled: 7/21 & 7/22    
Final interviews: 8/14 & 8/15                
New CEO on board (anticipated): 9/2025 

To Apply
Candidates will apply via the following website: https://tinyurl.com/ymca-of-muncie-ceo 

Application, References, Background Check, and Organizational Leader Certification: 
Candidates must submit the following in their online application, uploading a PDF of your cover letter and resume. Applications 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.

Questions regarding this position should be directed to:

Grace Matos
Director, Executive Leadership/CEO Search, YMCA of the USA
[email protected] 

Wade Hampton
CEO, Indiana Alliance of YMCAs
[email protected]