Operations Director - Licensed Programs
About The Position
The Operations Director is a strategic, mission-driven, operationally focused leader for the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit. Under the guidance of the Vice President of Operations, this role provides executive leadership and oversight for an assigned portfolio of out-of-school time programs, including Y Learning Centers (before- and afterschool care), Girls on the Run/PACE, and Summer Day Camp. The position is accountable for the portfolio’s quality, growth, financial performance, compliance, safety, and operational effectiveness. The Operations Director works with branch and association leadership and community partners to ensure programs respond to the needs of children, youth, families, and the communities served. The role leads staff development and program strategy, maintains operational and safety standards, improves program quality, manages budgets and financial performance, and ensures compliance with licensing, contractual, regulatory, YMCA, and Association requirements.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Four years of experience in youth development or a related field.
- Five or more years of management experience, preferably in a YMCA or other nonprofit agency.
- Experience managing and developing staff and volunteers.
- Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
- Proven ability to develop authentic relationships with others.
Nice To Haves
- YMCA Multi-Team Leader certification.
Responsibilities
- Oversee hiring, training, development, coaching, and supervision of staff, and lead a learning culture focused on innovation, equity, accountability, and professional growth.
- Direct and coordinate staff to ensure high-quality program delivery and operational excellence.
- Ensure staff build and maintain meaningful relationships with members, participants, volunteers, and community leaders.
- Participate in the Executive Leadership Team and select program leadership groups.
- Direct the assigned out-of-school time portfolio, aligning its vision, growth, and community impact with the YMCA mission.
- Operationalize strategy, redesign, and expansion for Y Learning Centers, Girls on the Run, PACE, and Summer Day Camp.
- Ensure programs support the developmental, social, emotional, and educational needs of children and youth.
- Establish operational standards, safety policies, and evidence-based practices to promote youth development quality across program locations.
- Lead development, implementation, and continuous improvement of programs and services that respond to community needs and support participation and revenue growth.
- Manage audit, evaluation, and observation frameworks; track performance data and implement targeted improvement strategies.
- Use feedback from youth, families, staff, and community partners to improve program delivery.
- Partner with Finance and the Association Business Office Manager to develop operating budgets, forecasts, financial controls, and performance expectations.
- Review financial performance and address variances, risks, and emerging opportunities.
- Ensure programs operate within approved budgets while maintaining quality and mission impact.
- Build relationships with school districts, families, and funders, and develop strategies to improve participation, retention, and family satisfaction.
- Oversee the branch budget and ensure operating budgets meet or exceed targets.
- Develop strategies to improve enrollment, revenue generation, retention, expense management, and financial sustainability.
- Direct branch financial development activities, cultivate donors, and secure gifts.
- Understand community needs and communicate community benefits.
- Ensure Association standards and policies are followed, including those concerning branch access, emergency procedures, risk management, and child abuse prevention.
- Ensure assigned programs comply with applicable licensing, contractual, regulatory, YMCA, and Association requirements.
- Ensure corrective actions arising from audits, licensing visits, safety reviews, and other assessments are addressed and sustained.
- Ensure child abuse prevention, participant safety, emergency preparedness, incident reporting, and risk management practices are implemented consistently.
- Promote shared leadership responsibility for safety, compliance, and participant protection.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
