CEO

Key Skills and Abilities of Our Next CEO: 

The board believes its new CEO should be an experienced leader who has the background and qualities that will permit him or her to achieve excellence in the following roles: 

• Lead and or Manage a Team Providing Strategic Services: Provide strategic services to YMCA member organizations within the Alliance, focusing on key projects including strategic planning, board development and governance, new CEO/CVO on boarding, fostering collaborations, implementing shared services, and guiding mergers. Work in partnership with Y­USA to ensure best practices and maximize impact. Key competencies: Decision-making, innovation, project management, quality results, influence, and developing others.

• Develop, Implement and Lead Alliance Strategic Plan: Work effectively with member Y CEOs, and key Alliance staff, to create and execute a strategic plan that addresses the needs of the Ys in the Alliance and includes defined organizational strategies, a clear implementation plan with deliverables, and measurable goals. Key competencies: Change Leadership, Communication & Influence, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Program/Project Management.

• Elevate and Advance the Alliance’s Advocacy Efforts: Work in partnership with all Ys in the Alliance on critical state, regional and federal issues. Create and disseminate annually a community benefit document to key stakeholders and elected officials that highlights stories, statistics and funding that communicates the true value of member Ys community benefit as well as collectively as an Alliance. Identify and advocate for public policies that address critical social issues in the Y’s areas of impact while also activating community leaders, policy makers, influencers, and the public to foster dialogue and catalyze positive change. Conducts advocacy events and training opportunities for Y leaders that raise the visibility of Ys in the Alliance as valued resources to respective state partners and groups in the Y’s areas of impact. Manage contract lobbyists to set and meet the contract’s deliverables. Key competencies: Change Leadership, Inclusion, Communication and Influence, Collaboration.

• Position the Alliance and Member Ys as Vital Partners for Community and Statewide Change: Serve as an ambassador for the mission, purpose, and vision for and with member Ys in the Alliance for their respective states. Possess the ability to develop and cultivate relationships with CEOs from diverse backgrounds, while always upholding the highest standards and values of the Y and the Alliance. Ensure the Alliance and its member Ys are seen as one of the leading nonprofits committed to strengthening community by connecting elected officials and community stakeholders to the Alliance, and each other. Key competencies: Communication & Influence, Engaging Community, Collaboration. 

• Steward State and Federal Funding Efforts: Identify and determine potential statewide and or federal funding opportunities that support the Alliance’s strategic plan and the work of Y’s collectively in the Alliance. Key competencies: Critical Thinking and Decision-Making, Engaging Community, Communication & Influence.

• Be Seen as a Collaborator and Strategic Partner: Create sustainable relationships within the 25 Ys in the Alliance and with Y-USA, and other stakeholder organizations in service to the Alliance and its member Ys and the communities they serve. Makes collaboration an organizational priority. Positions the Alliance as a convener and collaborator to address critical social, strategic, and operational issues identified by member Ys. Key competencies: Developing Self & Others, Inclusion, Emotional Maturity, Change Leadership, Functional Expertise.

About the Alliance: 

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits that strengthens communities through the impact areas of Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. Every day, the Ys work side-by-side with their neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

The 25 YMCAs in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont serve more than 203,000 people across the region each year. The Northern New England YMCAs are powerful advocates for children, families and individuals in our community. We leverage our trusted position in the community, private funds, and volunteers to provide critical services that would otherwise fall to the government. We believe in working with our neighbors to address cross-sector challenges.

Our core values are caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. As a commitment to our community, we do not turn anyone away from our programs and services due to inability to pay. We work hard to eliminate barriers so that everyone can thrive at the Y.

The YMCA Alliance of Northern New England supports collaboration amongst the region’s Ys and community partners to increase our impact and advocate for positive change in our communities.

Current Key Strategic Priorities: 

• Service Delivery: Achieve the goals of the YMCA of the USA’s service delivery system by facilitating access to services and support for all Northern New England YMCA Associations. 

• Advocacy: Advance shared priorities to foster strong communities and YMCAs

• Brand Awareness: Develop a regional brand strategy to deepen the YMCA’s connection with community and stakeholders.

• Collaborations and Partnerships: Cultivate meaningful partnerships to leverage our collective strengths, foster innovation, and drive sustainable growth.

• Professional Development: Enhance leadership development practices to build strong leaders and position the YMCA as an employer of choice in our region.

2024 Alliance Community Impact Report 

• 6,700 school-aged children in before/after-school programs at 89 sites 300 Y staff trained in Mental Health First Aid.

• 207,340 Y members served.

• 19,000 youth learned swimming and water safety skills. 2,910 adults participated in chronic disease prevention and management programs.

• $4.1 million in financial aid provided to individuals and families.

• 2,590 kids in early childhood education programs.

• 1.2 million meals and snacks served to kids.

• 30,000 children in day and overnight camps.

The Alliance provides consulting services to YMCAs: 

1. Strategy and Planning

2. Advocacy and Public Policy

3. Board Development and Governance

4. Collaborations: Shared Services, Management Agreements, Mergers

5. Partner with Y-USA in Executive Transition, CEO Search, and leads new CEO Onboarding

6. Operational Assessments

The Alliance supports statewide and strategic initiatives such as: 

• Elevation of the Y Brand & Mission: Create state and regional community impact statements, coordinate strategic events and marketing on state and regional levels.

• Public Policy: Coordinate state-level advocacy to advance YMCA priorities. Engage Public Policy Committees and contract lobbyists for each state. Coordinate participation in National Advocacy Days, and plan/execute State Advocacy Days.

• Resource Development: Secure funds to support YMCAs in 4 key areas: Youth Development (Childcare, School-Age Care, and Camp); Chronic Disease Prevention; Mental Health; and Hunger Relief. Coordinate shared Service Contracts – membership software, payroll & HR software, marketing software, electricity (ME).

• Leadership Development & Knowledge Sharing: Facilitate peer learning and collaboration amongst Ys across Northern New England to advance shared priorities. Engage local YMCA staff on national, regional, and state committees, task forces, and boards. Execute annual leadership conference for Y staff and volunteers. Coordinate content experts to share and innovate on weekly calls.

Staff: 

• Chief Operating Officer: Primary role of Advocacy

• Director of Development

Alliance Board of Directors: 

• Number of Governing Board Members: 25

• Task Forces

o CRM Task Force

o Bylaw Review Task Force

• Committees: 

o Executive/Governance Committee 

Financial: 

• Current Annual Budget Size: $729,000

Salary Range: $130,000 to $150,000 annually

Benefits:

• YMCA Retirement (12% percent paid by the Alliance) contribution once eligibility is met.

• YMCA 403B savings account.

• Health plan (75% percent paid by the Alliance, 25% by employee) 

• Other benefits per personnel policy.

Residency Expectation: Strongly preferred within the Northern New England Region.

Information Sites:

Alliance Website

YMCA of the USA 

Search Process Target Dates:

• Resumes accepted through:         April 8

•Preliminary interviews scheduled: May 15 (afternoon) and May 16 (morning) 

• In-person interviews:         June 3 and June 4

• New CEO on board (anticipated): July 1

References, Background Check, and Organizational Leader Certification:

Candidates must submit (pdf format only) the following in their online application: a resume, cover letter. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.

Candidates who advance to final interviews will need to submit six references (four professional and two personal). References checked only with prior notification. Successful candidate accepting the offer must pass a background check and must have a current Y-USA’s Organizational Leader Certification or obtain certification within the first three years from start date as the CEO. The Alliance’s personnel policies may require further screening.

Candidates must apply via the following website: https://tinyurl.com/Y-Alliance-of-NNE-CEO

Questions?

Contact Richard Clegg, CEO Search Senior Consultant, YMCA of the USA, [email protected].