Executive Director

ABOUT US 

The nonprofit YMCA of Western North Carolina strengthens local communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Founded in 1889, we engage more than 100,000 people – regardless of age, income, or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the region’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support the community. We do this through seven YMCAs, dozens of program sites, and YMCA Camp Watia. As the state’s largest provider of licensed school-age childcare, we give more than 1,000 children a day the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. We are made up of people of all ages, from all backgrounds, working side by side to ensure that everyone can reach their full potential with dignity. Thus, we are “For All”. Our core values are caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, and they guide everything we do. We are committed to being an organization that exposes and addresses social constraints that limit and/or negatively affect all humans from all walks of life. We recruit staff who are passionate about giving back to the community, helping people, and upholding our core values. For more information, please visit ymcawnc.org.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Executive Director is a key member of the YMCA of Western North Carolina’s leadership team. The Executive Director will oversee the development and engagement of staff and volunteers, maintain a quality Y experience and positive culture within their center, and lead a centralized function, process, or social responsibility initiative for the Association. They play a critical role in the financial development of the Association and managing a substantial donor portfolio. The Executive Director is responsible for helping manage critical collaborations with other community-based organizations to advance the Y’s mission, implement our strategic plan, and expand our community impact. They are guided by the YMCA of WNC operating priorities, Association Leadership Norms, and the Strategic Plan. They must operate consistently with our organizational values. 

This role will be housed at a specific YMCA location while overseeing a service line that operates across the association. This role will directly lead the Y’s efforts in community development and manage critical partnerships with other community-based organizations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures the safe, sound, and effective operations of the YMCA of WNC’s assigned service line(s) and center(s) and Senior Program Director(s) to ensure high-level program quality, retention, cross-pollination, and growth of programs in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Manages a substantial donor portfolio and advances financial development activities in support of Association goals. Leads center development activities to increase member/donor ratios and increase donor engagement and contributions to sustain the Y’s mission.
• Maintains a positive YMCA Culture within service line(s) and center(s)
• Leads the recruitment and development of center advisory committee volunteers and supports programmatic volunteer activities within their center and/or assigned service line or initiative.
• Leads assigned service line function(s) or social responsibility initiative for the Association.
• Responsible for hiring, coaching, and mentoring all direct reports and ensuring alignment with the organization’s personnel policy and HR practices within their scope of responsibility through quarterly check-ins and annual reviews with the service line/department team
• Implements a results-based management approach and ensures service line/department is actively working towards association-level objectives by assessing progress towards identified goals/KPIs, provides ongoing coaching and feedback, and discusses development opportunities
• Oversees the budgeting process within their service line/department, ensuring that resources are devoted to top priorities and strategic objectives
• Identifies growth opportunities, conducts forecasting regularly and corrects financial deficiencies on a timely basis through monthly variance reports with organizational leaders, and implements action plans to meet budgeted financial targets
• Contributes to the overall Y mission of strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
• Leads the recruitment and development of center advisory committee volunteers and supports programmatic volunteer activities within their center and/or assigned service line or initiative. 
• Represents and promotes the YMCA in the local community and develops positive working relationships with other community-based organizations, businesses, and governmental entities, advancing the Y’s impact and position in the community.
• Models relationship-building skills in all interactions with staff, members, donors, volunteers, and the community.
• Fosters a climate of service to maintain a high-quality Y experience that supports the Y mission, goals, and strategies.
• Leads assigned service line function(s) or social responsibility initiative for the Association.
• Prioritizes adding value to the Y member experience, ensures programming supports member needs, and aligns with the Association’s strategic & operational priorities throughout assigned service lines.
• Sets operational and performance goals for assigned association services/staff that are achievable and aligned with operational goals and strategies, including business analytics, NPS, cross-pollination targets, etc. 
• Evaluates the effectiveness of all programs within assigned service line(s) through staff, parent, and participant evaluations (ex: Listen360). Ensure effective collaboration and communication within and amongst service lines, leading to consistent, high-quality programs/services. 
• Develops, manages, and monitors the assigned service line(s) or initiative’s operating budget to meet or exceed financial targets.
• Monitors monthly financial reports of assigned areas to ensure revenue targets are met, and expenses are controlled. Complete variance reports and forecast updates monthly. Adjust operations as needed to achieve fiscal targets.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of programs and trends. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of and participation in programs and employs corrective strategies as needed.
• Ensures the implementation of the Association’s risk management program to ensure safe facilities and programs for members, volunteers, and staff.
• Ensures that all the organization’s policies are implemented, including Financial, Human Resources, Member Code of Conduct, and Program Policies.
• Supports the Y’s commitment to DEI by upholding policies and practices to ensure underserved communities are welcomed, comfortable, and present at the Y.
• Serves as a member of Y leadership and supports the overall objectives of the YMCA.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

ABOUT YOU

 Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required; bachelor’s or master’s degree in human services, social services, business, or equivalent is strongly preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience will be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.
• Five or more years of management experience, preferably in a YMCA or other nonprofit agency
• Experience must demonstrate strong skills in human relations, budgeting, fiscal management, financial development, program management, volunteer and staff development, and committee and board relations.
• YMCA Multi-Team or Branch Leader certification preferred or obtained within two years from the hire date.
  Preferably five or more years of management experience in a YMCA or other nonprofit agency.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Requires excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Requires a positive and enthusiastic attitude when assisting staff with requests and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to direct total operations through volunteer development, staff supervision, development, and monitoring of center budget, marketing, public relations, and program development
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community
• Proven ability to establish, manage and maintain collaborations with other community-based organizations

PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOB

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Physical demands are essentially those of sedentary work. Tasks may require extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

BENEFITS PACKAGE