Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) will serve as a critical member of the executive management team. In collaboration with the CEO and the Leadership Team, the COO will articulate and implement the strategic vision through the Centers and provide leadership for the Association’s strategic direction, membership strategy, facilities management, financial stability, community relations, staffing, development and organizational planning. The COO must be knowledgeable of and embrace our diverse community, its opportunities, challenges, needs and resources and have a broad knowledge of the YMCA locally, nationally, and worldwide.

The COO must participate and nurture broad networks of alliances with others to exchange knowledge and information in support of change initiatives. Additionally, the COO must set goals, monitor work, evaluate results, and hold the organization accountable to ensure departmental and organization objectives are met and are in line with the needs and mission of the Association. 

This position requires a team player with the ability to effectively work with stakeholders in the community, members, staff and volunteers.  A key competency requirement of the COO is to multi-task proficiently, create, shape and track the strategic direction and business plan against new and existing initiatives with the Metropolitan Board of Directors and Center Boards of Managers.

The COO must have proven broad leadership skills and the ability to achieve organizational and community change.  The COO must be future-oriented, a sound planner and organizer to establish and direct the achievement of long-range strategic goals. 

The COO will manage a budget of at least $75 million, with an overall Association budget of $125 million, including a mix of membership, program, and facilities, and also engage the Board of Directors frequently under the direction of the CEO.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Culture

• Promote and nurture a positive and inclusive organizational culture that aligns with the organization's values and mission.
• Implement programs and initiatives that enhance employee engagement, morale, and professional development.
• Act as a role model for organizational values, fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment.

• Facilitate internal communications and ensure that the organizational culture is reflected in all operational practices.
• Work in strong partnership with each Leader amongst the Leadership Team to ensure business and mission integration. The Leadership Team Culture is cohesive and silos are not accepted.

Membership

• Develop and execute strategies to attract, retain, and engage members, ensuring a high level of satisfaction and loyalty.
• Monitor and analyze membership trends, feedback, and needs to inform program development and service enhancements.
• Oversee membership services, including onboarding, support, and renewal processes.
• Coordinate with marketing and communications teams to promote membership benefits and initiatives.

Facilities and Real Estate Strategy Management

• Develop and manage the strategic plan for facilities and real estate, including acquisition, leasing, maintenance, and development.
• Oversee the management of physical assets, ensuring they meet the needs of the organization and are maintained to a high standard.
• Collaborate with external vendors, contractors, and real estate professionals to negotiate contracts and manage projects.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and standards related to facilities and real estate.

Operational Leadership

• Develop and implement operational strategies to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and service delivery across the organization.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring adherence to policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Provide strategic direction and oversight for all operational activities, ensuring alignment with the YMCA’s mission and goals.
• Lead and mentor a diverse team of operational staff, fostering a culture of accountability and high performance.
• Ensures the operational growth of the YMCA, which includes but is not limited to expansion, community member recruitment and retention, pricing strategies, new site development, collaborations, and mergers and acquisitions. Guides the organization to make tough choices about what to stop, start, and continue.
• Analyze operational performance metrics and identify areas for improvement; implement solutions to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align operational initiatives with the organization's overall strategic objectives.

Strategic Framework Integration

• In partnership with the Board of Directors and CEO, implement the Association’s new strategic vision of Center for Community Well-Being, as well as develop and implement new initiatives that reflect the organization’s mission
• Lead and bring to life the Healthy Living area of impact and Pathways to Belonging concept and ensure continued integration with all areas of impact within the Strategic Framework.

Financial Management, Data Evaluation and Sustainability

• Work closely with the CFO and Leadership Team to develop and manage the annual operating budget and ensure alignment with the Association’s strategic vision.
• Monitor financial performance regularly and monthly to identify opportunities for revenue generation and cost savings.
• Work in regular partnership with Senior Leadership to accurately forecast changes to operations and create corrective action plans as necessary.  
• Ensure the delivery of qualitative and quantitative goals and outcomes of operational activities.
• Work collaboratively to coordinate and analyze the appropriate data to inform operational decision-making processes and implement corrective measures if required.
• Monitor operations to ensure sound fiscal and system management to ensure financial and impact sustainability.

Organizational Leadership, Strategy and Staff Management

• In coordination with the Chief Executive Officer and Leadership Team, play a key role in the overall development, strategic planning, and fiscal management of operational activities across 29 operations, 220 Program sites, 3 Camps, multiple Association departments, and 3,000+ staff.

• Directly supervise and lead multiple layers of staff; develop a team-based environment to motivate and inspire staff to work collaboratively toward vision and goal, by clearly communicating vision, implementing yearly staff development plans and mentoring. Coordinate with the leadership team to identify and create leadership and professional development opportunities for staff.
• Implement policies and procedures to optimize efficiency and effectiveness and mitigate risks across departments, including program management, facilities management, and member services.  
• Work with Leadership Team to establish staffing plans to achieve goals and objectives and approve hiring decisions for new Center Leadership staff.
• Cultivate relationships with community stakeholders, government agencies, and partner organizations to strengthen the YMCA’s presence and impact in the Greater Los Angeles area; serve as liaison to key agencies and partners.
• Represent the YMCA at public events, forums, and networking opportunities to promote our mission and build strategic alliances.
• Represent the Association on relevant internal and volunteer committees and task forces, as well as at outside speaking engagements, conference panels and trainings.

Board Responsibilities

• Works directly with assigned committees of the Board to explore strategies, develop policies, oversee policy implementation and meet the related needs of the Board.

Qualifications

• A minimum of ten (10) years of organizational executive leadership experience in a nonprofit, government, or philanthropy, overseeing multiple programs or contracts ideally at an organization serving diverse communities.
• Passion for the Association’s mission and purpose and an ability to communicate this passion to others.
• Strong financial acumen; knowledge of fiscal management principles, planning, budgeting, and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing a high-performing team in a multi-site structure that includes professional development and mentorship.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of membership acquisition and retention, volunteer recruitment, philanthropy, organizational structure, budgeting, administrative operations, fundraising and integrating them effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and compile complex data for planning and reporting purposes.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to represent the organization internally and externally across a wide range of stakeholders and constituencies.
• Strong relationship builder with the ability to find common ground, build consensus and strengthen collaboration among diverse stakeholders. 
• Strong community awareness and astuteness.
• Ability to successfully navigate in a fast-paced, outcomes-driven and entrepreneurial environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to the values of diversity, inclusiveness and empowerment.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; advanced degree is strongly desired.

About you

This is an exciting position for a passionate and experienced transformational leader with a commitment to mission and an interest in joining a dynamic organization. The COO will be charged with building on the success of a strong membership acquisition strategy and leading organizational transformation, through advancing an innovative vision, leveraging proven and emerging approaches.

You are energized by people and facilities and wake up excited to help every community succeed and thrive. You are a master of interpersonal relations and possess a perpetual interest and proven track record in helping organizations integrate diverse membership bases, leadership development, policy, communications, fiscal management, and culture to improve organizational performance.

As part of our dedication to the diversity of our staff, the Association is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard for race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. People of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.