Chief Executive Officer

YMCA
Salary
$110,000.00
$160,000.00
How to Apply
Apply Online
Resumes Accepted Until
The Anderson Area YMCA is seeking a purpose-driven and insightful leader to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer.
Job Description

EXECUTIVE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
ANDERSON AREA YMCA 

Position: Chief Executive Officer 

Address: 201 East Reed Rd, Anderson, SC 29621

The Opportunity
The Anderson Area YMCA, an organization that is deeply committed to strengthening the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, is seeking a purpose-driven and insightful leader to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer. This is an opportunity to guide a mission-focused organization that is a vital part of the community.

The YMCA is led by a strong and engaged Board of Directors and supported by a dedicated staff team, including 17 full-time and 150 part-time employees. Together, they are deeply committed to advancing the Y's mission and serving the community with care, consistency, and excellence.

The YMCA Board is seeking a CEO who will be the driving force behind the organization's mission and community service. They will lead with clarity and intention, developing strategies that expand the YMCA's reach and deepen its impact across the service area. They will foster meaningful relationships with community partners, donors, and stakeholders to enhance the YMCA's visibility and reputation. With a steady and empowering presence, the CEO will support and inspire a dedicated staff team committed to serving the community with excellence. They will also ensure the highest standards of safety, compliance, and program quality—especially for youth and families.

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 them to achieve excellence in the following roles:

  • Develop and Implement a Strategic Plan
  • Build and Lead Staff
  • Fiscal Management
  • Improve Operating Performance
  • Steward Fundraising Events
  • Position the Y as a Vital Partner
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 of more than $5 million annually.
  3. Minimum seven years of prior experience in a senior management role with a YMCA or related experience at a comparable organization with direct supervision of multiple levels of staff and employees.
Essential Functions

About the YMCA:
Founded in 1888 and officially chartered in 1949, the Anderson Area YMCA has long served as a cornerstone of community life. For generations, it has been a trusted gathering place, a haven for youth, and a catalyst for personal growth and connection. Rooted in Christian values, the Y has continually adapted to meet the evolving needs of the community—offering support, inspiration, and opportunity to individuals and families from all walks of life.
Through a wide range of programs and strategic partnerships, the YMCA fosters holistic development—spirit, mind, and body—for over 12,000 members and participants annually. Whether through youth development, healthy living, or social responsibility initiatives, the Anderson Area YMCA remains committed to strengthening the fabric of the community it serves.

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 community's foundations and instill the values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and faith.

Commitment to Belonging
The Y is made up of people of all ages and from all walks of life, working in harmony to strengthen our community. Together, we strive to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Our core values are caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and faith. These values guide everything we do as an organization.

Key Strategic Initiatives
As the Anderson Area YMCA continues to grow and evolve, it is focused on several strategic priorities designed to strengthen its financial position, expand its reach, and deepen its impact across the community. These initiatives reflect the organization’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and long-term sustainability.

Debt Reduction Strategy
Develop and implement a comprehensive plan to reduce existing financial liabilities and ensure long-term fiscal health.

Summer Camp Development
Enhance developmental opportunities at the YMCA Summer Camp, with a focus on youth leadership, outdoor education, and innovative programming.

Revenue Diversification
Explore and establish new revenue streams through innovative fundraising efforts and targeted grant opportunities to support programmatic and capital growth.

Branch Expansion
Assess and pursue opportunities for branch expansion to meet growing community needs and increase accessibility to YMCA services.

Strategic Partnerships
Strengthen and leverage key partnerships to amplify community impact and resource sharing. 

Membership:

  • Total Number of Membership Heads: 12,353
  • Total Number of Membership Units:6,991
    • % Youth: 1%
    • % Adults: 8%
    • % Household: 32%
    • % Senior: 59%

Branch Information: The Anderson Area YMCA operates across three locations, each offering unique spaces and programming to serve the community:

Family Wellness Center
201 East Reed Road, Anderson, SC 29621
117,500 square feet
A full-service fitness facility featuring:

  • Cardio and strength training equipment
  • Aquatics area including:
    • A 25-yard, 8-lane indoor pool with a depth of 9 feet
    • A warm water pool with a consistent depth of 4 feet
    • Outdoor water park
  • Gymnasium and racquetball courts
  • Indoor walking/running track
  • Youth wellness area
  • Specialized training zones

YMCA Sports Park
1939 Evergreen Road, Anderson, SC 29621
85-acre sports complex
Includes:

  • 5 multipurpose fields for soccer, football, and lacrosse
  • 4 baseball fields with 250 ft foul lines
  • Outdoor pavilion
  • Home course for Anderson School District 5’s two high school cross country teams
  • Used for youth and adult sports leagues, seasonal events, and community gatherings

Camp Venture at Lake Hartwell
178 Green Tree Road, Anderson, SC 29625
45-acre facility (long-term lease with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
A scenic lakeside site offering:

  • Summer day camps
  • Environmental education
  • Leadership development programs
  • Water-based recreational activities 

Core Programs

  • Aquatics
  • Afterschool Care (serving 3 school districts)
  • Youth Sports
  • Group Exercise
  • Personal Wellness Training
  • CrossFit Gym
  • Chronic Disease Management
  • Summer Day Camp

Annual Support Campaign

  • Prior Year Total Raised: $220,711
  • Current Year Goal: $222,000
  • Individuals Receiving Financial Assistance (Prior Year): 1,800 

Capital Campaign
YMCA Sports Park Capital Campaign
A capital campaign was recently completed to support the YMCA Sports Park. Due to the impacts of COVID-19 and unexpected construction cost increases, the total project cost reached $13 million. Of that amount, $9.5 million was successfully raised through the campaign.

CEO Direct Reports

  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
  • Director of Operations
  • Director of Community Relations
  • Director of Fund Development
  • Director of Human Resources

Board of Directors: 
26 Board Members with the following active committees:

  • Executive
  • Finance
  • Property
  • Membership/Program/Special Events

Financial

  • Current Annual Budget Size: $5.36 million
  • Current Debt: $9,481,741
  • Current Endowment: $377,982
  • 3-year annual surplus/deficit:  
    • 2024 ($855,516)
    • 2023 $650,281
    • 2022 $1,809,677

About the Area
Anderson County lies along I-85 in the northwestern portion of Upstate South Carolina, halfway between Charlotte, NC, and Atlanta, GA. The area, with one of the lowest costs of living in the United States, is a thriving industrial, commercial, and tourist center.  Anderson County is also home to 55,950-acre Lake Hartwell, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake with 1,000 miles of shoreline for residential and recreational use. Its communities have a small-town feel that makes people want to stay.

Anderson County has a total population count of 205,882 as of 2019, with 38% of its residents traveling less than 10 miles to work. Within the County, there are nine municipalities and multiple communities that have unity that cannot be replicated anywhere else.

With 20+ international manufacturers, the opportunities are endless for careers. Industries are well represented in Anderson County, providing residents with the opportunity to work with a short commute.  About 68% of workers live less than 25 miles from their workplace, and over half live in Anderson County.  It truly is a place where you want to live, work, and play!

The experience of living in Anderson County is unmatched by any other location, offering a unique blend of quality-of-life features that make it an ideal home for all its citizens. The temperate southern climate gives families opportunities to get outside and enjoy the beauty. Lake Hartwell offers year-round fun for families to enjoy the outdoors, thanks to our proximity to the mountains and the SC Coast.

Residency Expectation
Candidate is expected to live in the Anderson area.    

Salary Range: $110,000 – $160,000

Benefits

  • YMCA Retirement Plan – 12% employer contribution after eligibility is met
  • 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan – Eligible on the first day of employment
  • Paid Time Off –
    • Vacation: 1 day per month, up to 9 days in the first year
    • Personal Days: 4 per year
    • Sick Leave: 1 day per month, up to 45 days
  • Health Insurance – 80% employer-paid, 20% employee-paid; stipend available if coverage is not offered
  • Additional Benefits – As outlined in the personnel policy
  • Mobile Phone Service – Provided through Verizon

Information Sites
YMCA of Anderson:                                       https://www.andersonareaymca.org/

City of Anderson:                                          https://www.cityofandersonsc.com/

Anderson County Government:                    https://www.andersoncountysc.org/

Visit Anderson (Tourism & Visitor Bureau):      https://visitanderson.com/

Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce:          https://www.andersonscchamber.com/

Anderson University:                                   https://andersonuniversity.edu/

AnMed Health System:                                 https://anmed.org/

Anderson School District Five:                      https://www.anderson5.net/

Search Process Target Dates 
Resumes accepted through:                October 24th, 2025
Preliminary interviews scheduled:        December 9th, 2025
In-person interviews:                         January 21st and 22nd, 2026
CEO selection made:                          Week of January 25th, 2026
New CEO on board:                            February 23rd, 2026

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/Anderson-Area-Y-CEO

Questions about the Search Process?
Shea Boschee, YMCA of the USA CEO Search, [email protected],  312-419-8363

Questions about the YMCA? 
Chet Tucker, SC Alliance of YMCAs, [email protected], 801-517-1740