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Lead with purpose at the Summit Area YMCA—drive community impact, inspire change, and shape the future.
Job Description
Are you a strategic leader, community convener, and visionary changemaker? The Summit Area YMCA is seeking its next Chief Executive Officer & President to lead a thriving, mission-driven organization with a legacy of service and a future of innovation. With an $18 million operating budget and a dedicated team of 100+ full-time and 500+ part-time staff, we serve the communities of Summit, Berkeley Heights, Springfield and beyond through programs that strengthen youth development, promote healthy living, and foster social responsibility.
This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Chief Executive Officer at The Summit Area YMCA sets the strategic direction of the organization; oversees its financial stability, staffing, development and operations; and positions the Y as a community convener and collaborator to address critical social issues. The Chief Executive Officer works under the policies, directives and guidelines of the Board of Trustees.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, human services or related area; related graduate degree preferred.
- YMCA Organizational Leader certification
- Minimum eight years broad management experience, preferably in the YMCA and/or not-for-profit sector, including strategic planning, board and volunteer development, philanthropic development, and multi-site operations. Prior direct supervision of multiple levels of staff and employees.
- A proven track record of budgetary and fiscal management in excess of $10mm annually
- Strategic planning experience, and demonstrated ability to develop relevant programming that takes into account community impact and cost benefits.
- Insight and skill to effectively lead a voluntary, not-for-profit organization within a complex internal and external environment.
- Fundraising experience, including oversight of successful annual campaigns, the securing of grants and personal solicitation and securing of major gifts.
- Ability to attract, retain, lead and motivate quality staff and volunteer leadership.
- Knowledge and understanding of community resources and the ability to engage and partner these resources with the YMCA to meet strategic objectives.
- Must be regarded as a peer to other top-level community leaders.
- Must have commitment to the mission and cause of the YMCA and uphold its values and 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 any language in addition to English may be helpful.
- An understanding of the national and international relationships of the YMCA is preferred.
Essential Functions
- Partners with the Board of Trustees to set the organization’s policies, goals, and strategic direction. Implements its policies, plans and directives, and reports on matters affecting the welfare of the association.
- Provides leadership in securing needed resources for current operations, capital improvement, community development and long range financial stability. Oversees the long-range development of the association's resources. Ensures fundraising activities and strategies are sufficient to support the Y’s charitable needs.
- Initiates and fosters relationships with all constituents through a systematic cultivation plan designed to increase support of the Y. Maximizes community partnerships, engages volunteers, and cultivates and solicits top donors and community leaders. Interprets the purpose and programs of the Association.
- Directs the development of the strategic plan and assures the accomplishment of organizational goals and objectives.
- Intentionally uses change as a strategy to expand options and opportunities and better leverage Y resources and capabilities. Oversees YMCA operations and programs and works with the board and staff to anticipate and address community needs. Fosters a climate of innovation to develop member-focused programs. Spearheads the development, communication and implementation of effective strategies and processes.
- Creates successful change by aligning structures, systems, and processes that are linked to the change. Directs the staff to carry out initiatives, assignments and programs under the approved strategic plan and annual budget. Ensures a positive workplace culture and an effective staff organization.
- Communicates and collaborates with government, schools, other not-for profits, corporations and other organizations in the community. Interprets the work of the YMCA to the community and ensures its cause, vision, values and goals are understood. Executes strategic alliances with other Ys, community organizations, and global partners to benefit the community (e.g., state alliances, health care facilities, schools).
- Develops and maintains excellent relationships within the community and the Association, as well as within the state, regional, national and international YMCA movements.
- Recommends annual budget for board approval. Ensures prudent fiscal management, reporting and controls. Oversees financial operations.
Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies
Change Leadership- Intentionally uses change as a strategy to expand options and opportunities and better leverage Y resources and capabilities. Creates successful change by aligning structures, systems, and processes that are linked to the change. Creates processes to implement successful changes while maintaining organizational effectiveness. Creates a compelling vision for the Y that inspires and motivates others to embrace change. Effectively manages the amount of change the organization can handle at any one time.
Collaboration- Makes collaboration an organizational priority. Positions the Y as a community convener and collaborator to address critical social issues. Executes strategic alliances with other Ys, community organizations, and global partners to benefit the community (e.g., state alliances, health care facilities, schools). Creates effective, sustainable, organization-wide collaborations.
Philanthropy- Promotes and inspires philanthropy among staff and volunteers. Ensures fundraising activities and strategies are sufficient to support the Y’s charitable needs. Initiates and fosters relationships with all constituents through a systematic cultivation plan designed to increase support of the Y. Ensures policies exist for gift acceptance and acknowledgement, satisfying legal and ethical standards.
Volunteerism- Actively engages the board in challenging conversations and decision making to advance the Y's impact. Cultivates a diverse pool of volunteers to ensure the Y's relevance to strategic priorities and community needs. Maximizes the function of the board, ensuring optimal engagement and strategic alignment. Partners with the governing board to set the organization’s policies, goals, and strategic direction.
Required Certifications
Salary & Benefits
This full-time, exempt-level position generally works Monday–Friday during standard business hours, with occasional evening or weekend responsibilities. The Salary range for this position is $260,000 – $310,000 annually, based on experience.
The Summit Area YMCA offers a generous benefits package that includes subsidized medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance. Paid time off for vacation, wellness, and holidays, Free YMCA family membership, discounts on YMCA programs and services (including childcare), Ongoing professional training and development and a 12% employer contribution to the YMCA retirement plan upon eligibility.
At the Summit Area YMCA, we are committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation. Our main purpose is to strengthen community. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone can reach their full potential and we strive to live our cause with purpose every day. No matter who you are or where you’re from, we believe that we’re stronger when we come together.