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The YMCA is an equal opportunity employer committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion.
Job Description
The Opportunity:
The West Cook YMCA is a renowned community organization with a strong financial foundation and a proven track record of innovation, seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to serve as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). As the CEO of this respected organization, you will oversee a highly skilled team and lead the charge in expanding our programs and services to meet the evolving needs of the greater Oak Park community. Your passion for community engagement, coupled with your strategic vision, will be instrumental in driving our mission forward.
The YMCA is a volunteer-led organization, the Board of Directors is responsible for providing strategic direction and ensuring the organization's long-term sustainability. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors and working closely with its Executive Committee, the CEO will play a pivotal role in driving strategic growth, building on the Y’s legacy, foster innovation, and strengthening the organizational capacity to impact the people and the communities the Y serves. The CEO will be expected to provide transparent leadership, fostering collaboration and accountability among the Board, staff, and volunteers.
About the West Cook YMCA:
Founded on December 31, 1902, the Oak Park YMCA and the first meeting of the Board of Directors was held to elect officers. The Oak Park YMCA building was dedicated in 1904 and at the time, the swimming pool building was the second largest in the country behind Chicago Central YMCA. Physical education for both men and women was provided along with dormitories with 85 rooms and 107 beds. The current facility was dedicated in 1954. In the early 2000s, the Y changed its name to the West Cook YMCA to encompass the nine additional communities it serves surrounding Oak Park which includes Forest Park, River Forest, Elmwood Park, Melrose Park, Maywood, Bellwood, Stone Park, River Grove, and Franklin Park.
Today, the West Cook YMCA continues to fulfill its promise to strengthen the foundation of our communities with mission-based programs that meet the needs of today’s youth, families, adults, and seniors. We encourage, teach, and demonstrate the YMCA character values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility in all programs.
Our Mission:
The West Cook YMCA, rooted in Judeo-Christian tradition, is dedicated to developing the spirit, mind, and body of all persons through quality leadership, programs and services, in cooperation with community groups for the common good.
Our Cause & Values:
To strengthen the foundations of community and instilling the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement:
The Y is made up of people of all ages and from every walk of life working side by side to strengthen the community. Together we work to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, ability, cultural background, faith, gender identity, income, national origin, race, or sexual orientation has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential with dignity. We share values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
Current Key Strategic Initiatives: https://www.westcookymca.org/strategic-plan
• How will the West Cook YMCA increase accessibility to programs and services to reduce inequities in our communities, especially among youth?
• What role will the West Cook YMCA have in reducing or delaying the impacts of social determinants of health and increasing overall well-being?
• How can we transform current and access new program space to ensure we achieve our full mission impact?
• How can the West Cook YMCA build the public’s awareness and interest for the value of the Y’s impact among influential stakeholders in our communities?
Membership: https://www.westcookymca.org/membership-information
• Total Number of Members: 1774 Member Units
• Total Number of Membership Units:
o 10% Youth
o 28% Adults
o 31% Household
o 31% Senior
Core Programs: Membership Booklet
• Aquatics
• Swim Team
• Signature Afterschool, and Power Scholars Academy, E-sport, Healthy Weight and Your Child
• Group Exercise - in person, on demand, live streaming
• Chronic Disease Prevention: Diabetes Prevention, Hypertension, Weight Loss, LiveStrong,
• Youth and Adult Sports: Pickleball, Healthy Aging, Yoga, Fitness programs, Certification and Trainings
• Resident – Single Room Occupancy
Staff:
• FT: 22 staff, 71%
• PT: 9 staff, 29%
CEO Direct Reports: https://www.westcookymca.org/our-leadership
• Rebecca Boblett – Interim CEO / COO
• Luis Lazaro – V.P. of Administration and Business Intelligence
• Jessica Bullock – Chief Transformation officer
Staff Demographics:
• Gender:
o 48% Female
o 48% Male
o 3% Not Specified
• Race and Ethnicity:
o 3% Asian
o 10% Black or African American
o 39% Hispanic or Latino
o 48% White
Board of Directors:
• Number of Governing Board Members: 9
• Board Demographics:
• Gender:
o Two - 22% Female
o Seven - 78% Male
• Race and Ethnicity:
o 12% Black or African American
o 22% Hispanic or Latino
o 66% White
• Committees:
o Executive, Finance and Governance.
o The board meets quarterly 3rd Saturday in January, April, July, and October
Financial:
• Current Annual Budget Size: $4,637,599
• Current Debt:
o Capital Lease Obligation: $65,303
o Capital Lease Obligation: $49,857
o SBA Note: $150,000
• Line of Credit: $0
• Current Endowment: $433,759
About the Area:
Oak Park, Illinois, is a charming suburb of Chicago nestled around wonderful communities including Forest Park. The area offers a unique blend of urban convenience and suburban tranquility. The area is known for its vibrant arts scene, historic architecture, and diverse community. Here's a glimpse of what life is like:
Oak Park is home to the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, which preserves and promotes the legacy of the renowned architect. You can explore several of his iconic homes and buildings, including the Robie House and the Unity Temple. Residents can explore an 18-acre botanical garden in Forest Park with a variety of plants, flowers, and trees. It's a great place to relax and enjoy nature. The Oak Park Arts Festival is a popular annual event that showcases local artists and craftspeople. The area has a thriving arts scene with theaters, galleries, and music venues offering a variety of performances and exhibitions.
The area is a diverse community with a mix of residents from different backgrounds, making it a welcoming and inclusive place to live. The villages offer numerous parks, trails, and recreational facilities, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. The area has a strong educational system with many options of elementary, high, and university-level institutions, making it an attractive destination for families seeking quality education for their children, teens, and young adults.
Oak Park is conveniently located near major highways and public transportation options, making it easy to commute to Chicago and other nearby areas. A variety of shopping and dining options, from local boutiques to chain stores and restaurants in downtown Oak Park.
Living in the Oak Park area offers a high quality of life, combining the best of both worlds: the charm of a suburban community with the convenience and cultural offerings of a major city. If you're looking for a vibrant and welcoming place to call home, Oak Park is definitely the place.
Information Sites:
Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce
School Systems – District 97, District 90, District 89, District 91, District 200, District 209
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
Qualifications
Criteria for Candidates:
1. Accredited 4-year college degree and or equivalent work experience.
2. Fiscally sound business management with a proven track record of budgetary and fiscal management, more than $2M or more annually.
3. Minimum five years prior experience in a senior management role with a YMCA or related experience at a comparable organization with direct supervision of multiple levels of staff and employees.
Essential Functions
Key Skills and Abilities of Our Next CEO:
The Board of Directors 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:
• Position the Y as a Vital Partner for Community Change, Be a Community Ambassador: Serve as an ambassador for the mission, purpose, and vision for the YMCA within the community. Possess the ability to develop and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, while always upholding the highest standards and values of the Y. Ensure your Y is seen as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening the community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose, and each other. Key competencies: Communication & Influence, Engaging Community, Collaboration
• Improve Operating Performance and Steward Fundraising Efforts: Engage the board and appropriate staff to develop an annual tactical plan for identifying and achieving key goals and objectives towards operating with safe, relevant and sustainable practices. Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan that will establish the YMCA as a leading nonprofit organization within the community through the engagement of members, volunteers, staff, and donors. Quickly address issues that may arise, forecast future needs, and manage and direct the Y’s operations and activities. Identify the need for successful capital fundraising, while taking the organization to a new level of effectiveness and impact in annual giving and endowment. Key competencies: Philanthropy, Engaging Community, Developing Self & Others, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Innovation, Communication and Influence.
• Implement the Y’s Strategic Plan: Work effectively with volunteers, community leaders, and key staff, to implement the Y’s current strategic plan that addresses the needs of the communities served by the Y and include defined organizational strategies. Ensure a clear implementation plan with deliverables, and measurable goals. Key competencies: Change Leadership, Communication & Influence, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Program/Project Management
• Build and Lead Staff: Ensure a talent development system is in place and executed in affirming, culturally competent and effectively. Hire, motivate, nurture, retain, and hold staff accountable for key objectives. Work towards recruiting, retaining, developing and promoting staff that represent the diversity of the communities you serve. Encourage the team by creating a spirit of camaraderie, inclusion, and sense of mission and purpose. Create a learning organization to help staff achieve their highest potential. Key competencies: Developing Self & Others, Inclusion, Emotional Maturity, Change Leadership
• Fiscal Management: Use high-level financial analysis to forecast financial trends, growth and stability, while consistently leading organization to balance or surplus operations by growing earned revenue and contributions and controlling costs. Empower and guide staff leaders to lead their departments to successful financial operation. Develop and implement stewardship strategies. Key competencies: Fiscal Management, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Developing Self & Others, Philanthropy
Residency Expectation: Living in the YMCA’s service area is preferred. It is expected that the CEO will be fully engaged in the Y’s service area.
Salary Range: $140,000 to $165,000
Benefits:
• YMCA Retirement (12% of earnings paid by Y) contribution after eligibility is met
• 403B Saving Account
• Health Plan: medical, dental. FT Staff, currently in 2024 64%
• Life Insurance FT Staff $10,000 Life Insurance paid by organization
• Optional Life Insurance paid by an employee
• Paid Time Off, FT Staff Vacations : 80 hours per year based on years of service
• Sick Time Off : 12 days or 114 hours per year
• Other benefits per personnel policy.
Search Process Target Dates:
• Resumes accepted through: January 9, 2025
• Preliminary interviews scheduled: February 4 and 5
• In-person interviews: February 25 and 26
• CEO selection made: March 3 anticipated
• New CEO on board: April 1 (tentative)
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. Only upload pdf files.
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.
Candidates must apply via the following website: https://tinyurl.com/west-cook-ymca-ceo
Questions about the Search Process?
Contact Richard Clegg, CEO Search Senior Consultant, YMCA of the USA, [email protected].
Questions about the YMCA?
Contact Glenn Haley, CEO, IL Alliance of YMCAs, [email protected].