Membership Director

Help more families discover the YMCA!
Job Description

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Serves as a member of the Davis Family YMCA Leadership Team. Responsible for providing strategic leadership and daily management of the membership department, driving membership growth, retention, engagement, and community outreach. Leads the YMCA's efforts to attractnew members, deepen relationships with existing members, expand partnerships with employers and community organizations, and create an exceptional member experience that transforms lives through friendship, achievement, and belonging.

Qualifications

Education

  • Bachelor's degree in business management, hospitality, recreation, or a related discipline preferred.

Experience

  • Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible supervisory or leadership experience in the applicable field, nonprofit operations, recreation, education, hospitality, business, or a related industry.
  • Demonstrated success leading teams, achieving organizational goals, managing projects, and developing employees.
  • Experience supervising employees, managing department operations, budgets, financial performance, and achieving measurable organizational goals preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The successful candidate demonstrates the ability to:

  • Lead and develop high-performing teams through coaching, accountability, recognition, and professional development.
  • Build positive relationships with members, participants, volunteers, staff, and community partners.
  • Communicate effectively in written, verbal, and interpersonal settings.
  • Understand departmental financial reports, budgets, performance metrics, and operational trends.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office, customer relationship management systems, department software, and emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to improve communication, efficiency, and decision-making.
  • Relate effectively to individuals from diverse backgrounds and create an environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued.
  • Demonstrated ability to organize multiple priorities, manage projects, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrates a commitment to continuous professional development and actively participates in YMCA leadership development opportunities.
  • Analyze information, interpret data, prepare reports, and utilize financial and operational metrics to support sound decision-making and continuous improvement.

Employment Requirements:

  • Successfully complete all YMCA-required background screenings and maintain eligibility for employment.
  • Ability to work evenings, weekends, and special events as required.
Essential Functions
  • BRANCH LEADERSHIP—Serves on the Davis Family YMCA Leadership Team and attends Team Leader in-services, meetings, Membership Focus Groups and planning sessions.  Participates in planning and delivery of Association and/or Branch special events, acts as Director on Duty for building coverage on assigned nights and/or weekends. Maintains required leadership certifications and training.
  • MEMBERSHIP GROWTH, SALES & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT—Leads the branch's membership growth strategy through lead generation, sales, retention, community outreach, relationship building, and strategic partnerships. Oversee cause-driven tours, prospect follow-up, referral programs, membership promotions, and new member onboarding. Build relationships with businesses, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations while collaborating with Marketing to strengthen the YMCA brand, increase membership, and expand community impact.
  • MEMBER SERVICE & ENGAGEMENT—Acts intentionally to connect people with the Y cause through our service and engagement principles; Welcome, Connect, Support, Invite; leads staff to create a culture of service, hospitality, and engagement. Creates atmosphere where friendship, achievement, and belonging are developed throughout the YMCA. Manages Listen360, responds to members’ concerns and works with all program directors to address those concerns.  
  • MEMBER MANAGEMENT—Oversees membership operations, including member accounts, program registration, renewals, financial assistance, specialty memberships, front desk procedures, member communications, data reporting, Nationwide Membership, Sexual Offender Registry screening, and coordination with the Business Office.
  • TALENT MANAGEMENT—Recruits, hires, on-boards, trains, develops, schedules, engages, directs, and recognize service desk, building coverage, and membership staff and volunteers as needed. Ensure that staff maintain certification. Manages department payroll. Reviews and evaluates staff performance. Develop methods to motivate staff. Leads Quarterly Departmental In-services, and training as needed. Creates a culture of friendship, achievement, and belonging with employees.
  • FACILITY MANAGEMENT—Coordinates use of facilities for program activities; ensures a safe, clean, and productive environment. Assures the cleanliness of membership office and service desk area. Records and reports all needed maintenance or repairs.
  • RISK MANAGEMENT—Oversees daily department operations to adhere to all state, local and YMCA health and safety regulations and procedures, including Child Abuse Prevention, emergencies, medical, facility use, aquatic safety, and disciplinary situations; completes and follows up on Incident Reports.
  • FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT—Develops and implements strategies to achieve membership, retention, revenue, and budget goals. Monitors financial performance, analyzes trends and key performance indicators, prepares variance reports, and responsibly manages YMCA resources to ensure long-term sustainability.
  • MISSION ADVANCEMENT—Advance the YMCA's mission by building lasting relationships, communicating our impact, strengthening our brand, engaging volunteers and donors for fundraising and stewardship, and fostering collaborative partnerships throughout the community.
Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

Advancing our Mission & Cause: Change Leadership: Facilitates, co-creates, and implements equitable change for the good of the organization and/or community. Engaging Community: Builds bridges with others in the community to ensure the Y’s work is community-focused and welcoming of all, providing community benefit. Philanthropy: Secures resources and support to advance the Y’s work. Volunteerism: Engages volunteers and promotes social responsibility at all levels of the organization

Building Relationships: Collaboration: Creates sustainable relationships within the Y and with other organizations in service to the community. Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y’s cause. Belonging: Values all people for their unique talents, perspectives, and experiences and helps create an environment where everyone feels respected, connected, and empowered to contribute.

Leading Operations: Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgment. Fiscal Management: Manages the Y’s resources responsibly and sustains the Y’s nonprofit business model. Functional Expertise: Executes superior technical skills for the role. Innovation: Creates and implements new and relevant approaches and activities that improve and expand the Y’s work and impact in the community. Program/Project Management: Ensures program or project goals are met and intended impact

Developing & Inspiring People: Developing Self & Others: Develops self and supports others (e.g., staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential. Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.

Required Certifications

Certifications Required upon hire:

  • CPR/First Aid/Oxygen
  • Praesidium Child Abuse Prevention/Blood Borne Pathogens/Preventing Sexual Harassment
  • Cause Driven Tour Certification
  • Y Leader Certification
  • YMCA of Youngstown Leadership Program (first year)
  • YMCA Team Leader certification preferred (required within two years)