Vice President of Program Quality & Innovation

Vice President of Program Quality & Innovation

Join to apply for the Vice President of Program Quality & Innovation role at YMCA of Greater Nashua

Full-time | Exempt | YMCA of Greater Nashua

The Vice President of Program Quality & Innovation is a visionary, strategic leader who transforms how we deliver programs throughout the community. As a key member of the leadership team, this role drives both excellence in current programs and bold innovation in what comes next—ensuring our aquatics, sports, arts, and enrichment offerings not only meet community needs today but anticipate and shape what’s possible tomorrow.

Partnering closely with the COO, leadership team, and community stakeholders, the VP is accountable for program quality, safety, growth, and innovation. This leader builds a culture of continuous improvement while championing new ideas, delivery models, and program opportunities that differentiate the Y and deepen our community impact. They develop high‑performing teams, establish quality standards, leverage YMCA Leading Practices, and ensure every program creates pathways for achievement, relationships, and belonging.

• Develop and execute an association‑wide program innovation strategy that anticipates community needs and positions the Y as a leader in achievement, relationships and belonging.
• Lead the discovery and implementation of next‑generation programs, exploring new delivery models (virtual/hybrid, outdoor, community‑based), underserved populations (adaptive programs, special needs, emerging demographics), and revenue‑generating opportunities aligned with mission.
• Pioneer pilot programs that test new ideas, measure impact, and scale what works across the association.
• Stay current with YMCA national trends, best practices, and innovations; connect with peer YMCAs to benchmark and learn.
• Challenge the status quo by asking:
  What should we start? What should we stop? What should we do differently?
• Establish and implement quality standards, performance metrics, and outcome measures for all program areas.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement where staff regularly assess effectiveness, gather feedback, and iterate on programs.
• Ensure all programs align with YMCA Leading Practices and reflect best‑in‑class programming standards.
• Monitor participation data, satisfaction scores, and community impact metrics; use insights to drive program decisions.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols, licensing requirements, risk management standards, and YMCA policies.
• Create consistency program delivery across locations while allowing for innovation and local adaptation.
• Develop systems for program evaluation that measure not just participation but achievement, relationships, and belonging outcomes.
• Provide leadership and coaching to Senior Director of Arts, Sports & Enrichment, two aquatics directors and the head coach of the swim team, building their capacity for excellence and leadership growth.
• Provide coaching, professional development, and clear expectations that drive accountability and results.
• Create pathways for staff growth and advancement, building the next generation of YMCA program leaders.
• Provide strategic direction for aquatics programs, ensuring safety, quality, and innovation.
• Support development of arts programs (theater, music, dance, visual arts) that foster creativity and self‑expression.
• Guide sports programming to balance recreational participation with skill development and competitive opportunities.
• Champion enrichment programming (STEM, maker spaces, creative learning) that prepares young people for future success.
• Ensure facility‑based camps deliver high‑quality, engaging summer experiences for children and families.
• Identify cross‑program opportunities that integrate arts, sports, and enrichment for holistic youth development.
• Develop and manage program division budget, ensuring financial sustainability and strategic resource allocation.
• Identify revenue growth opportunities within programs while maintaining mission‑driven pricing and accessibility.
• Monitor program financial performance; adjust offerings based on participation trends and community needs.
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