Director of Operations
About The Position
The Director of Operations is a senior leadership role focused on unifying and elevating the internal functioning of the Kankakee Area YMCA. Reporting directly to the CEO, this position ensures operational excellence and department-level alignment across all program and membership areas. While the CEO leads external partnerships, philanthropic strategy, and long-term vision, the Director of Operations is charged with bringing that vision to life internally—coordinating people, processes, and systems to create a high-quality, mission-driven experience for all members and staff. This role directly supervises the Directors of Childcare, Youth Development, and Aquatics; oversees two Membership Coordinators; and manages vendor and custodial relationships. The position is pivotal in building a culture of accountability, service, and cohesion across the organization.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, operations, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
- At least 5 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in YMCA or mission-driven environments.
- Demonstrated success supervising senior program leaders and coordinating operational infrastructure.
- Ability to build teams, manage complex projects, and communicate with clarity.
- CPR, First Aid, and Child Abuse Prevention certifications (or acquired within 30 days).
Nice To Haves
- Knowledge of Daxko, Helixintel, and vendor/project management systems preferred.
Responsibilities
- Supervise the Directors of Youth Development, Childcare, and Aquatics to ensure shared outcomes, program excellence, and consistent service delivery.
- Provide leadership and professional development to two Membership Coordinators responsible for front desk operations and member experience.
- Champion a collaborative culture across departments that models YMCA values and supports cross-functional success.
- Serve as the YMCA’s internal anchor for operations—ensuring stability, responsiveness, and staff alignment.
- Translate the CEO’s strategic goals into operational initiatives, systems, and staff action plans.
- Coordinate timelines, benchmarks, and accountability structures that support organizational growth and impact.
- Monitor progress across departments and provide the CEO with updates, insights, and operational recommendations.
- Set and communicate a bold vision for membership growth as the Y’s primary revenue stream.
- Lead membership planning in collaboration with Coordinators, ensuring data-informed decisions and member retention strategies.
- Align membership campaigns, promotions, and onboarding practices with program schedules and seasonal priorities.
- Serve as the primary liaison for facility maintenance requests, repairs, and project coordination through Helixintel and preferred vendors.
- Manage external custodial relationships to ensure daily readiness and cleanliness.
- Ensure internal departments communicate facilities needs in a timely and effective manner.
- Facilitate operational meetings, project tracking, and interdepartmental communication.
- Oversee internal systems related to schedules, staffing coordination, and budget support.
- Collaborate closely with the HR & Finance Director to align staffing needs and resource planning.
- Establish internal systems and staff alignment that allow the CEO’s strategic priorities to move forward effectively.
- Anticipate and address operational barriers that could delay mission impact.
- Drive improvements in new member acquisition, retention, and service consistency.
- Create accountability and support for Coordinators in executing front-end excellence.
- Foster strong relationships and shared goals among directors and frontline leaders.
- Provide coaching, tools, and systems that build confidence and clarity among staff.
- Ensure spaces are clean, safe, and aligned with programming needs.
- Monitor vendor and custodial performance, providing timely feedback and action.
- Increased alignment across departments and programs.
- Improved member retention, satisfaction, and membership/revenue growth.
- High-functioning internal systems and communication channels.
- Quality assurance in facilities and vendor performance.
- Staff development and retention in supervised departments.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
