Chief Operating Officer

Full-time Description

As a key member of the CEO's senior leadership team, the Chief Operating Officer drives operational excellence and strategic growth across all YMCA branches. This role transforms vision into measurable impact by leading high-performance teams, fostering innovation, and ensuring the organization strengthens community and advances the SAY as the heart and hub of the community, supporting the mind, body and spirit.

The COO activates strategic priorities through data-driven decision-making, collaborative partnerships, and comprehensive risk management, while protecting and growing the SAY’s most valuable assets: its people, programs, and community trust.

What Success Looks Like

Operational Excellence

Means branch operations consistently meet or exceed revenue targets while maintaining expense discipline. You'll see program quality scores increase year-over-year as measured by participant evaluations and Listen 360 metrics, while strategic plan objectives are achieved with documented community and financial impact. Safety incidents decrease through effective processes, training, and mitigation strategies.

Team & Leadership Development

Shows up when branch directors and key leaders demonstrate measurable growth in leadership competencies, staff retention and engagement remain strong in leadership positions, and succession planning creates a talent pipeline. Employee engagement scores reflect a culture of innovation and appreciation you've enhanced.

Growth & Innovation

Is evidenced by membership recruitment and retention rates that exceed regional benchmarks, new program initiatives that launch on time and on budget while meeting revenue goals, community partnerships that expand organizational reach and diversify revenue streams, and facility utilization that increases through strategic programming and scheduling.

Community Impact

Is visible as programs address identified community needs for all populations, philanthropic contributions grow through strategic fundraising alignment, and brand awareness and community reputation strengthen as measured by surveys and engagement.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Operations Leadership

• Translate strategic vision into executable operational plans with clear KPIs, data driven analyses, and accountability measures

• Supervise and mentor Executive Directors to create thriving branches

• Monitor and analyze monthly financial reports, taking proactive action to ensure fiscal health

• Guide organizational decisions on what to stop, start, and continue based on data and community impact

Program Excellence & Innovation

• Implement and oversee comprehensive program evaluation systems ensuring alignment with our mission and quality standards

• Foster a climate of innovation to offer impactful member-focused programs addressing evolving community needs

• Lead staff through planning, development, and implementation of new program initiatives with measurable outcomes that advances our strategic initiatives and maximizes resources

Financial Stewardship

• Develop, monitor, and manage operating budgets ensuring revenue targets are met or exceeded

• Control expenses while maintaining program quality and staff development investments

• Create and track financial performance indicators that drive strategic decision-making

• Develop pricing strategies that balance accessibility, competitiveness, and sustainability

Growth & Development

• Drive operational growth through program expansion, member recruitment, and retention

• Pursue strategic collaborations, partnerships, and opportunities that align with our mission

• Work with board committees and advisory groups to build volunteer relationships and maximize community engagement

• Work collaboratively to execute fundraising strategies in partnership with CEO and Advancement

Risk Management & Compliance

• Protect organizational assets including people, property, finances, and reputation

• Ensure comprehensive risk assessment, crisis planning, and accountability systems are in place

• Guarantee facility safety, maintenance, and compliance with all applicable standards

• Implement and monitor policies and procedures that remove…