Chief Operating Officer

Job Description

This position reports to the CEO in accordance with the mission and purpose of the Ann Arbor YMCA. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will provide leadership, guidance and direction to the Ann Arbor YMCA including: advancing our mission, cause and values throughout the organization; overseeing sound fiscal operation and performance; collaborating with the community to insure implementation of the Strategic Plan to achieve mission-focused goals and objectives developed by the President/CEO and board; ensuring programming excellence; and championing a culture of inclusion, philanthropy, community engagement and leadership development. The COO is also responsible for oversight of the following departments: Sports & Recreation, Healthy Living, Aquatics and Membership. This role drives innovation, fosters collaborations, and will position the Y as the catalyst for transforming lives and strengthening communities.

Qualifications

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, business management, psychology or a related field is required.
• Five to ten years of demonstrated success in YMCA operations in a senior management role or similar non-profit.
• Experience in recruitment, training and supervision of staff and volunteers is required.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple physical locations and program sites.
• Experience with and knowledge of enrollment and recruitment strategies is desired.
• Familiarity or experience with member/customer service training programs required.
• Understanding of program development for culturally diverse populations, fiscal management and budgeting and life spans of programs is required.
• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills and organizational abilities skills are required.
  This position requires excellent human relations skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships and merge diverse groups of people.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate work independently as well as participate as a member of a team.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Ability to work more than a 40-hour week with irregular work hours.
• Ability to walk, stand, and sit (including on the floor) for long periods of time.
• Exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids.
• Must be able to lift and/or assist average size person up to 180 pounds in weight.
• Must be able to lift and carry food and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to stand or sit while maintaining alertness for several hours at a time.
• Position may require bending, leaning, kneeling, and walking.
• Ability to speak concisely and effectively communicate.
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency
• Ability to view/enter data for long periods of time.

Essential Functions

Strengthen Operational Excellence: Ensure that the downtown membership branch operates with excellence, consistency, quality, and accountability. Lead a culture of continuous improvement aligned with the Y’s core values, mission and operational standards. Assesses the current operations and creates plans that will grow and retain membership as well as expand program delivery to meet critical community needs. Proactively identifies trends as well as creates a data driven culture that drives effective decisions. Provides a balanced focus on strong fiscal performance while expanding services to the community. Plays a leadership role in setting and implementing overall Y policies, procedures, and strategies as a member of the senior leadership team.

Operational Strategy: Provides accountability and reporting for the association operational and strategic plans. Works with the board and CEO in the planning and formulation of the long-range strategic goals for the organization. Works with the CEO and staff to develop long-term and annual tactical plans including metrics for achieving key goals and objectives. Initiates and implements process improvement and strategies relating to workflow, quality of programming and safety experience. Represents the Ann Arbor YMCA on association, state, and national initiatives, as well as strategic programming as requested. Identifies potential areas for branch cooperative programming to accomplish YMCA goals, works with staff groups to develop and implement strategy.

Champion the Member Experience: Build teams that will anticipate the demands of our members and be driven to exceed those demands through innovative program models, brand alignment, and elevated service standards that reflect our service area’s evolving needs.

Integrate Philanthropy into the Operational Culture: Today’s operational performance is important, but we will be measured on how we build our capacity for tomorrow. Partner closely with the Chief Executive Officer to deepen the culture of philanthropy throughout the Association. Recruit, coach, and promote strong leaders who will develop inspired volunteer boards, expand community partnerships, and ensure that giving and community engagement are central to the Y’s success.

Mission Advancement: In collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer and the Marketing team, seeks grant funding and other external resources to grow and expand program reach. Provides staff assistance in the Annual Campaign and association special events. Assists with Capital Campaigns and Endowment Campaigns as applicable, including alumni, member, and donor cultivation. Provides support for assigned committees of the Board of Directors.

Collaboration and Expansion Efforts

Collaborative Relationships: Develops and strengthens collaborative relationships with community organizations and other entities to position the YMCA as a leader and partner in supporting youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, and to make the YMCA accessible and affordable to all. Works to establish new programs that are aligned with the YMCA areas of focus. Identifies and analyzes opportunities for new sites and programs making use of the YMCA strategy screen. Involved in oversight of expansion efforts. Guides and supports local team(s) in development of start-ups, including community relationships, facilities acquisition, site construction, financing, fundraising, marketing, and leadership recruitment, hiring, training, and transitioning.

Champion Innovation, Accountability, and organizational Leadership: Empower leaders with clear goals, data tools, and performance frameworks that strengthen alignment across the association.

Advance Data-Driven Decision-Making: Leverage Daxko, SGA and other measurement tools to evaluate performance, enhance accountability, and drive program quality improvement. Use data to inform strategic priorities, forecast needs, and make informed operational decisions.

Build and Mentor High-Performing Teams: Inspire, coach, and develop a strong network of leaders who bring passion and operational rigor to their work.

Advance Equity, Inclusion, and Community Impact: Ensure programs and leadership reflect the diverse communities the Y serves, creating inclusive spaces where all people belong and thrive.

Other: Mission and Vision: Supports the mission, vision, and goals of the Ann Arbor YMCA; promotes character development and the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Special projects as assigned. This is not intended to be all-inclusive. It is understood that the employee with also perform other reasonably related business duties if requested by the supervisor. As delegated, handles duties of the CEO in their absence.

The ideal candidate will be:

• A visionary and disciplined operator who builds and inspires teams, drives performance and translates strategy into measurable results.
• Experienced in leading in complex, multi-departmental organizations. YMCA or comparable nonprofit, corporate, or social enterprise experience is highly preferred.
• Skilled in developing, scaling, and executing innovative programming.
• A savvy and engaging collaborator with proven experience in bringing diverse partners together.
• Adept at integrating philanthropy into operational and membership strategies.
• Highly data-driven, with a track record of creating and using measurement tools to improve program quality and guide strategic decision-making.
• A quick and flexible learner effective at managing change, improving performance, and fostering alignment across teams.
• Strong in business acumen, data-driven decision-making, and financial stewardship.
• A confident and proven leader of people who models humility, candor, and empathy.

Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

Organizational Leader

Required Certifications

YMCA Organizational Leader Certification and Global Leader certification are required or ability to acquire within three years.