Chief Operations Officer

The Whatcom Family YMCA is seeking an experienced, mission-driven Chief Operations Officer (COO) to join our leadership team during one of the most exciting and consequential chapters in our Y's history. Our Y is preparing to launch a significant capital campaign and develop a new 85,000-square-foot YMCA that will dramatically expand our ability to serve the community for generations to come.

As our CEO dedicates increasing leadership capacity to philanthropy, community partnerships, capital development, and the successful delivery of this transformational project, we are looking for an accomplished operational leader to take the helm of the Y's day-to-day operations.

The Opportunity

The COO will partner closely with the CEO and serve as one of the Association's most senior leaders, providing leadership across operations, membership, programs, facilities, staff development, financial performance, organizational systems, and community impact. This leader will help translate vision into execution.

The COO will develop and coach senior leaders, strengthen accountability and operational consistency, support membership and program growth, improve organizational systems, and ensure the Y is operationally prepared for a period of significant growth and change. The position is designed for a leader who enjoys both the strategic and practical sides of YMCA leadership—someone who can think about the future of the Association while remaining deeply connected to what is happening every day in our branches, programs, and teams.

We're Looking for a YMCA Leader Who:

Develops people.
You see one of your most important responsibilities as helping other leaders succeed. You set clear expectations, coach effectively, recognize potential, address challenges directly, and build strong teams.

Knows YMCA operations and programs.
You understand that membership, aquatics, youth development, child care, health and wellness, facilities, community engagement, and financial performance are interconnected pieces of one YMCA experience.

Can lead through change.
Our organization is entering a period of significant growth. We need a leader who can bring clarity and structure while maintaining flexibility, creativity, and a sense of possibility.

Gets things done.
You are comfortable moving between strategy and execution. When something needs attention, you don't wait for someone else to solve it.

Builds healthy culture.
You create environments where people feel valued, supported, connected to the mission, and accountable for results.

Brings strong business judgment.
You understand budgets, forecasting, operational metrics, membership performance, resource allocation, and financial sustainability—and know how to use that information to improve mission impact.

Leads with humility and confidence.
You listen well, build relationships easily, stay steady under pressure, and are willing to roll up your sleeves alongside the team.

The COO's formal responsibilities include strategic and operational leadership, growth and innovation, performance improvement, culture and leadership development, membership and community impact, facilities and asset management, financial sustainability, systems and risk, Board support, and child safety.

Why Whatcom Family YMCA?
Because this is an opportunity to get in at the beginning of something extraordinary. Our next chapter includes a major capital campaign, an 85,000-square-foot new YMCA, expanded community partnerships, organizational growth, and the opportunity to rethink how a modern YMCA can serve a growing and changing community.

The COO will play a central role in ensuring our people, programs, systems, and operations are ready for that future. You'll also join a leadership team that works hard, enjoys one another, values creativity, and believes strongly in the impact the YMCA can have in a community.

And Then There's Bellingham
Our YMCA is located in Bellingham, Washington, between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, in a spectacular corner of the Pacific Northwest. Mountains and water are part of everyday life here. Within minutes, you can be hiking, mountain biking, paddling, sailing, skiing, running trails, exploring the San Juan Islands, or simply enjoying one of the most beautiful communities in the Northwest. For a YMCA professional who loves outdoor recreation and wants both meaningful work and an incredible place to live, Whatcom County is hard to beat.

Come lead the Y we are today—and help us build the Y our community needs for tomorrow.