Associate Executive Director, Community Partnerships

YMCA Central Maryland•Towson, MD

About The Position

Under the direction of the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Civic Engagement, the Associate Executive Director provides strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of cross-sector partnerships for the Y and leads the organization’s implementation of the ENOUGH (Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments, and Households) initiative. This role is responsible for stewarding a complex, first-of-its-kind, community-based strategy designed to reduce concentrated child poverty and increase economic mobility in Maryland, while advancing the Y’s broader partnership and civic engagement goals. Working at the intersection of community, government, philanthropy, and institutional partners, the Associate Executive Director cultivates and sustains high-impact relationships on behalf of the Y; coordinates grant deliverables and partnership commitments; and ensures alignment between programmatic activities, community voice, organizational priorities, and funder requirements. The role requires strong systems thinking, collaborative leadership, and a deep commitment to empathetic place-based approaches that support children, families, and neighborhoods from cradle to career.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in social work, human services, public administration, public policy, community development, education, or a related field required.
Experience implementing programs or initiatives using established models, curricula, grant guidelines, or policy frameworks.
Experience supporting or coordinating grant-funded initiatives, including tracking deliverables, timelines, and reporting requirements.
Experience engaging with community stakeholders, including residents, families, volunteers, schools, and partner organizations.
Excellent oral and written communication skills reflecting solid customer service and high-level interviewing skills
Demonstrated ability to: form appropriate assessment-based relationships; relate well in multicultural environments; maintain confidentiality throughout daily operations; effectively collaborate with colleagues; use time effectively; and focus on details.
Demonstrated ability to collect meaningful data and draw solid conclusions.
Proficiency in computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
Must have reliable personal mode of transportation for use to perform certain job requirements.
Must have a current and valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.
Must maintain current and valid insurance to cover personal mode of transportation.
Ability to perform office related tasks and utilize required office equipment, including telephone, cell phone, fax machine, copy machine, and computer equipment.
Physically able to successfully complete required job functions, including use of hands, arms, fingers, able to talk and hear, use a computer, sit and stand, regularly move/lift up to 50 pounds, enter all Y environments (office spaces, indoor and outdoor maintenance/mechanical areas, fitness areas, pool and pool space, camping areas, unimproved outdoor locations and other program areas).
Ability to sit or stand for an extended period of time while performing required duties as assigned
Ability to perform repetitive tasks, such as using a keyboard on computer equipment.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead the Northeast Baltimore Coalition ENOUGH activities, ensuring alignment with state expectations, community priorities, and Y strategic goals.
Collect, review, and synthesize existing community needs assessments and asset maps across the Northeast Baltimore Coalition.
Design and complete additional needs assessments and asset mapping as needed to fill data and engagement gaps.
Lead a community engagement process to solicit input, direction, and shared ownership from residents, families, youth, and community stakeholders.
Draft and implement a Neighborhood Action Plan to end childhood poverty in Northeast Baltimore.
Support the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Civic Engagement in the execution and advancement of community partnership strategies, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and community needs.
Serve as a representative of the Y in external meetings, coalitions, and partnership forums as delegated, strengthening relationships and supporting continuity of engagement.
Coordinate with internal departments and program leaders to align community partnerships with programmatic needs, outcomes, and operational capacity, escalating strategic decisions to the Vice President as appropriate.
Support the development and maintenance of community partnerships documentation, including MOUs, scopes of work, and partnership tracking tools, in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
Assist with monitoring community partnerships contributions and outcomes (financial, in-kind, and strategic) and contribute to internal updates, grant reporting, and leadership briefings.
Attend all required training and actively participate in professional learning opportunities.
Actively participate in program events and activities and consistently model and demonstrate Y Core Values and Operating Principles.
Develop and maintain an approved professional development plan aligned with role responsibilities and leadership growth.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of organizational and community priorities.