Executive Director

YMCA of Western North Carolina • Asheville, NC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The nonprofit YMCA of Western North Carolina strengthens local communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Founded in 1889, we engage more than 100,000 people – regardless of age, income, or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the region’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support the community. We do this through seven YMCAs, dozens of program sites, and YMCA Camp Watia. As the state’s largest provider of licensed school-age childcare, we give more than 1,000 children a day the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. We are made up of people of all ages, from all backgrounds, working side by side to ensure that everyone can reach their full potential with dignity. Thus, we are “For All”. Our core values are caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, and they guide everything we do. We are committed to being an organization that exposes and addresses social constraints that limit and/or negatively affect all humans from all walks of life. We recruit staff who are passionate about giving back to the community, helping people, and upholding our core values. For more information, please visit ymcawnc.org. The Executive Director is a key member of the YMCA of Western North Carolina’s leadership team. They oversee the development and engagement of staff and volunteers, maintain a quality Y experience and positive culture within their center and play a crucial role in raising financial contributions that support the Y’s mission by managing a substantial donor portfolio. This role is responsible for helping manage critical collaborations with other community-based organizations that align with strategic objectives to advance the Y’s mission, and expand our community impact. They are guided by the Senior Vice President of Operations, YMCA of WNC operating priorities, Association Leadership Norms and must operate in a manner consistent with our organizational values. This role will be housed at the Reuter Family YMCA.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is required. (Extensive related experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.)
• Three to five years of successful experience in frontline fundraising, donor relations, or equivalent experience.
• Experience managing high-level donor relationships with demonstrated success in closing gifts of $25,000 and above.
• Bachelor's degree in human services, social services, business or equivalent is strongly preferred.
• Preferably five or more years of management experience in a YMCA or other nonprofit agency.
• Strong skills in human relations, budgeting and fiscal management, financial development, program management, volunteer and staff development, committee and board relations.
• Ability to direct complex operations through volunteer development, supervision of staff, development and monitoring of budget, marketing, public relations, and program development.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community and manage and maintain collaborations with other community-based organizations.
• Reinforces the Y’s values within the organization and the community.
• Effectively communicates the benefits and impact of the YMCA’s efforts for all stakeholders.
• Implements effective systems to develop volunteers at program, fundraising, and policy leadership levels.
• Secures resources and support for all philanthropic endeavors.
• Develops strategies to ensure staff and volunteers reflect the community.
• Builds and nurtures strategic relationships to enhance support for the YMCA.
• Serves as a community leader building collaborations based on trust and credibility to advance YMCA mission and goals.
• Communicates for influence to attain buy-in and support of goals.
• Provides tools and resources for the development of others.
• Integrates multiple thinking processes to make decisions.
• Involves members and community in the development of programs and activities.
• Ensures execution of plans.
• Institutes sound accounting procedures, investment policies, and financial controls.
• Assigns clear accountability and ensures continuous improvement.
• Fosters a learning environment embracing diverse abilities and approaches.
• Creates a sense of urgency and positive tension to support change.
• Anticipates challenges that can sidetrack or derail growth and personal learning.
• Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in related field preferred (human services, social services, business)
• Preference is given to candidates with experience closing six and seven-figure gifts.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of high-capacity donors/prospects from throughout Buncombe county, working directly with the Vice President of Development.
• Plays a key role in achieving financial development benchmarks in annual, capital and endowment campaigns through cultivation, acquisition, stewardship and retention.
• Leads recruitment and development of center Advisory Committee and provides leadership over each meeting.
• Ensures the highest quality of member/program participant satisfaction by continuously observing program and member service areas.
• Identifies and resolves issues in collaboration with center leaders while fostering a culture of service throughout operations.
• Represents and promotes the YMCA in the local community and develops positive working relationships with other community-based organizations, businesses, and governmental entities, advancing the Y’s impact and position in the community.
• Responsible for hiring, coaching, and mentoring all direct reports and ensuring compliance with the organization’s personnel policy and HR practices within their team through regular check-ins and annual reviews.
• Also responsible for indirect leadership, coaching and development of center leadership staff.
• Implements a results-based management approach and ensures their center and service line is actively working towards association-level objectives by assessing progress towards identified goals/KPIs, provides ongoing coaching and feedback, and discusses development opportunities.
• Partners with peers to ensure budgets align with center operations and ensures that resources are devoted to top priorities and strategic objectives.
• Identifies growth opportunities, conducts forecasting regularly and corrects financial deficiencies on a timely basis through monthly variance reports with organizational leaders, and implements action plans to meet budgeted financial targets.
• Models relationship-building skills in all interactions with staff, members, donors, volunteers, and the community.
• Prioritize adding value to the Y member experience, ensure programming supports member needs, and aligns with the Association’s strategic & operational priorities throughout assigned service lines.
• Ensures that all the policies of the organization are implemented, including Financial, Human Resources, Risk Management/Safety, Member Code of Conduct, and Program Policies.
• Supports the Y’s commitment to DEI by upholding policies and practices to ensure underserved communities are welcomed, comfortable and present at the Y.
• Serves as a member of Y leadership and supports the overall objectives of the YMCA.
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Group life insurance
• Long-term disability paid by the Y
• Short-term disability, term life insurance and dependent life insurance is available for purchase
• Generous paid time off
• Retirement plan with employer contribution of 12% of salary (subject to eligibility requirements)
• Free YMCA membership
• Free afterschool childcare
• Summer day camp and program discounts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees