The YMCA of the Triangle is seeking to hire a Vice President of Operations.
Job Description
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Vice President of Operations provides strategic leadership and oversight for branch operations across the YMCA of the Triangle. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence, strong financial performance, and alignment with the Association’s mission and strategic goals. The Vice President works in close partnership with Association leadership and peer executives to strengthen systems, develop high‑performing teams, and increase organizational impact. This position specifically leads and supports a portfolio of key branches—currently including the Alexander Family YMCA, Poyner YMCA, Southeast Raleigh YMCA, A.E. Finley YMCA, and Kerr Family YMCA—though assignments may evolve over time.
Key areas of responsibility include building mission‑driven teams, cultivating community relationships, supporting philanthropy, and ensuring consistent business practices and risk management. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and inclusion, the Vice President plays a vital role in developing leaders and ensuring responsive, equitable operations that advance the YMCA’s purpose of strengthening community for all.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and at least ten years of progressive experience in YMCA operations or a comparable membership‑based organization, with a strong record of growth and operational success.
Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high‑performing teams through complex initiatives and organizational change.
Strong relationship‑building skills with experience engaging community partners, volunteers, and cross‑functional teams.
Demonstrated excellence in financial management, strategic planning, data‑informed decision‑making, and operational execution. Exceptional communication skills—including writing, presentations, meeting facilitation, and public speaking—across in‑person and virtual environments.
Highly proficient in Microsoft 365 and able to quickly learn and apply new technology and data tools.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and deliver high‑quality work under pressure.
Skilled in conflict resolution, exercising sound judgment, and maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
Deep commitment to the YMCA Mission and Purpose, modeling values that foster collaboration, culture, and high performance.
Essential Functions
Provides Executive Leadership to Branch Operations. Directly hires, supervises, and supports Branch Executive Directors within a defined portfolio: Alexander Family YMCA, Poyner YMCA, Southeast Raleigh YMCA, A.E. Finley YMCA and the Kerr Family YMCA, ensuring high levels of performance, engagement, and alignment with YMCA values, policies, strategic plan, and business goals/objectives.
Leads Facility Experience in Partnership with Properties and Facilities Teams. Collaborates closely with Association properties and facilities teams to ensure a high‑quality, safe, and welcoming environment across all YMCA facilities. Provides leadership in the planning and execution of capital maintenance and, when applicable, capital improvement projects, with a focus on minimizing disruption to programs, members, and participant experiences.
Directs and Supports Association Improvement & Quality (I.Q.) Teams. Provides leadership and direction for assigned Improvement and Quality (I.Q.) Teams aligned with the position’s programmatic portfolio, ensuring intentional program design, consistent delivery, and measurable impact across branches and initiatives. Serves as an active member of cross‑functional organizational teams and champions the work of these teams by fostering collaboration, promoting best practices, and ensuring alignment with strategic priorities. This role plays a key part in embedding a culture of continuous improvement and organizational learning across the Association.
Serves as a Liaison to Y‑USA for Movement‑Wide Innovation and Standards. Acts as the primary liaison with YMCA of the USA (Y‑USA) for key areas within the position’s portfolio, ensuring alignment with national strategies, innovations, and best practices. Supports implementation of Y‑USA membership compliance directives, program quality standards, and strategic initiatives across relevant departments. Stays informed of emerging trends and collaborates with internal teams to adapt and apply movement‑wide innovations that strengthen organizational performance, elevate member and participant experience, and advance the YMCA’s mission locally and nationally.
Leads Strategic and Operational Planning. Offers both strategic and tactical direction for branch operations across the YMCA of the Triangle, with a focus on long‑term impact, operational alignment, and continuous improvement.
Leads Budget Development and Fiscal Accountability. With an organizational‑first mindset and in partnership with branch and organizational leadership, develops annual operating budgets for assigned branches, actively supports the budget planning process, and proactively ensures financial performance meets or exceeds all planned targets/goals. Actively monitors and adjusts revenue and expense forecasts as needed.
Monitors and Drives Operational Performance. Analyzes key performance metrics to identify trends, celebrate progress, and address areas for improvement across branches and with the organization. Aligns operational outcomes with branch, regional, and Association‑wide goals.
Strengthens Operational Efficiency and Integration. Focused on impact, collaborates with organization and branch leaders to enhance operational systems, streamline practices, and ensure consistent execution of policies and procedures across branches/all operations.
Champions Inclusion and Belonging. Partners to implement inclusive strategies and frameworks that support welcoming environments, equitable practices, and responsive operations within branches.
Ensures Risk Management and Facility Safety. Maintains high standards for safety and risk mitigation across all facilities. Oversees implementation of YMCA safety policies, protocols, and best practices to ensure safe and well‑maintained environments.
Supports Workforce and Talent Development. Collaborates with the operational leadership and branch executives to strengthen workforce planning, leadership development, succession planning and talent management across operations.
Drives Philanthropic and Community Engagement. Builds and maintains strategic relationships with donors, elected officials, community partners, and funding sources. Supports annual campaign efforts and manages a portfolio of donors to strengthen community impact and philanthropic growth.
Leads Innovation and Business Development. Cultivates a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, identifying opportunities to expand services, improve operations, and drive mission‑aligned growth.
Supports Strategic Expansion Initiatives. In partnership with executive leadership, evaluates new market opportunities, assesses risk, and contributes to the planning and development of new facility branches within the YMCA of the Triangle service area.
Fosters Organizational Alignment and Culture. Leads and serves on cross‑functional leadership teams, promoting collaboration, accountability, and a spirit of shared success across the Association.
Demonstrates Mission‑Driven Leadership. Leads by example and actively promotes a culture rooted in the YMCA’s core values. Encourages continuous learning, strong teamwork, and a commitment to excellence.
Additional Duties. Performs other responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Operating Officer to advance the YMCA’s mission and organizational goals.
