President and CEO

The President & CEO must build trust and extend the breadth and depth of our YMCA’s reach across our service area. 
Job Description

EXECUTIVE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

HEART OF THE VALLEY YMCA 

Position:  President and Chief Executive Officer

Address: 130 Park Square Ln, Madison, AL 35758

The Heart of the Valley YMCA is an equal opportunity employer. We work to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity.

The Opportunity

The Heart of the Valley YMCA, with branch locations in Southeast Huntsville, Downtown Huntsville, and Madison Alabama, is seeking a dynamic, principled leader for its President & Chief Executive Officer, with a strong emphasis on YMCA mission-driven programming, operations experience, strong fiscal management, and fundraising skills. This YMCA, which recently reduced its debt burden, is poised for conservative, calculated growth, and expansion of membership, and is seeking a new President & CEO to continue the organization down the path of fiscal responsibility while enhancing the mission through membership, programs, and community outreach. 

The position of President and CEO at the Heart of the Valley YMCA is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate to demonstrate a commitment to the values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility. This role is designed for a mission-oriented, exceptional servant leader who can further the YMCA’s reputation and help elevate its position as an asset to the community.

Our Mission 

To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build spirit, mind, and body for all.

Our Cause

The Heart of the Valley YMCA is dedicated to building healthy communities through programs focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. For over 115 years, the YMCA has been a cornerstone of the Huntsville community, empowering individuals, and families to thrive in spirit, mind, and body.

Position Description

The President & CEO must build trust and extend the breadth and depth of our YMCA’s reach across our service area. The President & CEO will lead collaborative efforts to grow and maintain productive working relationships in the community that enhance our reputation and furthers our mission and cause. This position requires strong skills and competencies, including membership and program growth, staff development, fundraising, fiscal stewardship, and facilities management. The CEO will be a relationship builder who is visible in the community and active in the development of meaningful community partnerships and collaborations while continuing to demonstrate that our YMCA is an indispensable community asset. The President & CEO will work in cooperation with the Board of Directors to develop and implement a strategic plan that will guide our YMCA to new levels of quality and service to our community.

Qualifications

Criteria for candidates:

1. Accredited 4-year college degree or equivalent experience.

2. Must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills and personal values consistent with the YMCA mission.

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.

4. Must be able to develop and strengthen community relationships.

5. Have the ability to develop innovative programs, review and enhance programs being offered or considered for both economy and the effectiveness in broadening our engagement in the communities in which we serve.

6. Strategic planning and Fundraising experience including annual campaigns and the securing of grants.

7. Fiscally sound business management approach.

8. A proven record of accomplishment of progressive budgetary leadership and advanced fiscal management practices.

9. YMCA Organizational Leader Certification or ability to achieve within 3 years.

Essential Functions

Key Performance Objectives

The Association is defined by the Mission Statement and will always strive to utilize and emphasize its mission in the operation of the organization. The successful candidate will need to be an outward reflection on staff, membership, and the community of our mission. Our next President & CEO will keep the organization’s mission at the center of their performance and all decision making.

Fiscal Management: The President & CEO must use high-level financial analysis to forecast financial trends, growth, and stability, while consistently leading the organization to balanced or surplus operations by growing earned revenue and contributions and controlling costs. The new CEO will empower and guide staff leaders to lead their departments to successful financial operation and develop and implement stewardship strategies. Key competencies: Fiscal Management, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Developing Self & Others, Philanthropy

Develop and Implement a Strategic Plan: The President & CEO must work effectively with volunteers, community leaders, and key staff, to create and develop a strategic plan that addresses the needs of the communities served by the Y. This plan should include 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

Improve Operating Performance: The President & CEO must engage the board and appropriate staff to develop an annual tactical plan for identifying and achieving key goals and objectives toward operating with safe, relevant, and sustainable practices. They should quickly address issues that may arise, forecast future needs, and manage and direct the Y’s operations and activities. Key competencies: Developing Self & Others, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Innovation

Build and Lead Staff: The President & CEO should ensure a talent development system is in place and should execute it in an affirming and effective way. They should hire, motivate, nurture, retain, and hold staff accountable for key objectives. They should work towards recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting staff that represent the communities we serve. They should encourage the team by creating a spirit of camaraderie and sense of mission and purpose. They should create a learning organization to help staff achieve their highest potential. Key competencies: Developing Self & Others, Emotional Maturity, Change Leadership

Steward Fundraising Efforts: The President and CEO should take our organization to a new level of effectiveness and impact in fund development. Strengthening the Y’s annual fundraising campaign, leading the organization through a $4M capital campaign to further reduce debt and developing an endowment focus are crucial deliverables. Key competencies: Philanthropy, Engaging Community, Communication & Influence.

Heart of the Valley YMCA Facts

Current Key Strategic Initiatives 

  • Mission Focused Leadership
  • Membership Growth
  • Community Trust Building
  • Program Quality
  • Financial Development
  • Fiscal Responsibility

Membership 

  • Total Number of Members: 18,905
  • Total Number of Membership Units: 7,214
  • 1% Youth 
  • 13% Adults 
  • 71% Household 
  • 15% Senior 

Branch/Facility Information

The Heart of the Valley YMCA owns two full facility Ys, one of which houses a child development center. Additionally, the Y leases facilities for a downtown express Y and two additional child development centers. School age childcare is provided at the owned facilities and in numerous rural school locations. Click for branches and locations.

Programs  

The Heart of the Valley YMCA offers a variety of programs that are typical of most YMCAs as well as some new, innovative options. Click here to review the Program Guide

Annual Campaign 

  • 2024 total: $256,000
  • 2023 total: $391,000
  • Current Year’s Goal: $500,000

Previous Year’s Campaign Impact

  • Total number of people receiving financial assistance (scholarship): 3,077
  • Total amount awarded in financial assistance (scholarship): $285,039

Capital Campaign

There is no current ongoing capital campaign, however a $4M campaign to reduce debt is a crucial upcoming and necessary undertaking.

Staff

Current Staff 

  • FT - 55
  • PT - 355

CEO Direct Reports

  • COO 
  • CFO - Vacant
  • CHRO
  • Financial Development Director
  • Marketing Director 

Board of Directors

Currently 13 Board members 

Financial Snapshot

  • Current Annual Budget Size - $10M
  • Current Debt - $13.3M
  • Current Endowment - $0
  • 3-year pattern of annual surplus/deficit
    • 2024 - $9,000
    • 2023 - $418,000 (includes ERTC $383,000)
    • 2022 – ($157,000) (includes some one-time relief funds) 

Population & Demographics – 2023

  • Population: 527,254
  • Number of households: 212,486
  • Median Age: 38.4
  • Gender: 51% female
  • Per capita income: $44,524
  • Median household income $84,939
  • People below poverty line: 9.8%
  • High school education: 92.8%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 44.6%
  • Veterans: 10.4%

Additional Important Information

Area Amenities and Community Benefits

Voted the United States 7th best place to live by US News and World Report’s 2024 rankings, Huntsville boasts the highest number of PHDs per capita. A thriving tech and military community it’s home to NASA, the FBI South HQ, and numerous aerospace, military, and biotech corporations.

Salary Range: $172,000 - $186,000 annually

Benefits: Retirement contribution 12%, vacation plan, health care 50% of employee cost and other benefits per personnel policy.

Residency Expectation: The CEO is expected to be highly engaged and visible in our community. Living in the YMCA’s service area is required.

Other sites for information:

www.ymca.org 

https://ymcahuntsville.org/

https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/

https://www.huntsville.org/

https://realestate.usnews.com/places/alabama/huntsville

https://www.visittheusa.com/destination/huntsville

Target Dates for the search process

Resumes accepted through:         March 17, 20025

Interviews scheduled:                  TBD

New CEO on board (anticipated): May 5, 2025

To Apply

Candidates will apply via the following website: https://tinyurl.com/Heart-of-the-Valley-CEO

Application, References, Background Check, and Organizational Leader Certification: 

Candidates must submit the following in their online application, uploading a PDF of your cover letter and resume. Applications 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.

Questions regarding this position should be directed to: 

Charles Trammell

AL MS YMCA Alliance Partnership

CEO

[email protected]

205-704-1671

David Martorano

YMCA of the USA

VP-Network Experience

[email protected]

312-419-2839