Vice President of Operations and Programs

Valley of the Sun YMCA

$90K — $120K *
Hospitality & Recreation
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Recreation Management, or related field preferred.
  • Ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience.
  • Experience leading multiple branches or departments.
  • Multi-site operational leadership experience preferred.
  • Strong financial management and budgeting experience.
  • Experience developing leaders through coaching and mentorship.
  • Experience leading organizational change.
  • Aquatics and program leadership experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for multiple YMCA branches.
  • Serve as Executive Director of the Southwest Valley YMCA, leading all branch operations.
  • Establish, monitor, and evaluate key performance indicators for membership and program effectiveness.
  • Continuously assess branch operations to enhance efficiency and member experience.
  • Cultivate relationships with community organizations to expand partnerships and resources.
  • Oversee branch financial performance with responsible budgeting and forecasting.
  • Lead, coach, and mentor Executive Directors and operational teams to build a high-performance culture.

Benefits

  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Free YMCA Family Membership
  • Employee Program Rewards and Discounts
  • Paid Vacation & Sick Leave (once accrued)
  • 403b Retirement Savings Account Upon Hire
  • Professional Development Opportunities & Trainings
  • 12% Employer Funded Retirement Plan (once eligible)
  • Health benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
Full Job Description
POSITION SUMMARY OF VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

The Vice President of Operations provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for multiple YMCA branches and assigned program areas while serving as the Executive Director of the Southwest Valley YMCA. This executive leader partners with the Chief Operating Officer and executive leadership team to implement the Association's strategic priorities, strengthen operational excellence, develop high-performing teams, and ensure exceptional member experiences. The role balances multi-site operational leadership with hands-on branch leadership, driving innovation, organizational growth, financial stewardship, and community impact.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

This position plays a key leadership role in advancing the Association's strategic direction by:
Be Well. Strengthening branch operations and championing drowning prevention.
Do Good. Expanding community partnerships, philanthropy, and access for all.
Lead Change. Building high-performing teams and operational excellence while driving innovation and sustainable growth.

QUALIFICAITIONS TO BE A VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS:
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Recreation Management, or related field preferred.
• Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience.
• Experience leading multiple branches or departments.
• Multi-site operational leadership experience preferred.
• Strong financial management and budgeting experience.
• Experience developing leaders through coaching and mentorship.
• Experience leading organizational change.
• Experience building community partnerships.
• Aquatics and program leadership experience strongly preferred.

KEY LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:
• Strategic Thinking
• Operational Effectiveness
• Fiscal Management
• Change Leadership
• Communication & Influence
• Developing Self & Others

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The Valley of the Sun YMCA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position. The physical demands described below are representative of those generally required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

This position may require the ability to:
• Work in both office and branch environments.
• Frequently move throughout YMCA facilities, program areas, and community locations.
• Remain in a stationary position for extended periods while working at a computer or attending meetings.
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences in individual and group settings.
• Operate standard office technology and equipment.
• Occasionally lift, carry, or move materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Travel between YMCA branches and community meetings as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

BE WELL

Strengthen Communities Through Operational Excellence:
• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for multiple YMCA branches and assigned program areas, ensuring safe, welcoming, and high-performing Centers for Community Well-Being.
• Serve as the Executive Director of the Southwest Valley YMCA, leading all aspects of branch operations, member experience, facility management, and program delivery.
• Establish, monitor, and evaluate key performance indicators for membership, program participation, service excellence, safety, and operational effectiveness.
• Continuously assess branch operations and implement improvements that enhance efficiency, quality, innovation, and the overall member experience.
• Ensure compliance with YMCA standards, policies, risk management practices, and all applicable regulatory requirements while fostering a culture of safety and accountability.

DO GOOD

Expand Community Impact Through Stewardship & Partnerships:
• Serve as an ambassador for the YMCA mission by cultivating meaningful relationships with community organizations, schools, businesses, municipalities, donors, and strategic partners.
• Oversee branch financial performance through responsible budgeting, forecasting, and stewardship of Association resources.
• Support the success of the Association's comprehensive campaign by ensuring capital investments and facility improvements strengthen member experience and community impact.
• Advance Access for All by increasing community engagement, expanding partnerships, and supporting philanthropic initiatives that remove barriers to participation.

LEAD CHANGE
Inspire People & Drive Organizational Success:
• Partner with the Chief Operating Officer and executive leadership team to implement the Association's strategic direction and operational priorities.
• Translate the Beacon in the Desert strategic plan into measurable operational initiatives across assigned branches and departments.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Executive Directors, branch leaders, and operational teams to build a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing leaders while building succession plans that strengthen the Association's future leadership pipeline.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration and organizational alignment to improve efficiency, share best practices, and achieve Association-wide goals.
• Lead organizational change initiatives with confidence, helping teams successfully navigate growth, innovation, and evolving community needs.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
• YMCA Organizational Leader Certification (or ability to obtain within required timeframe).
• New Hire Orientation.
• Mandatory Compliance Training with a focus on Child Protection and workplace safety.
• CPR, AED, Basic Life Saving, Adult & Pediatric First Aid and Oxygen from an approved agency.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE:

A successful Vice President of Operations:
  • Leads multiple YMCA operations with excellence while maintaining a thriving branch.
  • Builds engaged, high-performing leadership teams.
  • Achieves financial, operational, and membership goals.
  • Creates exceptional member and staff experiences.
  • Strengthens community partnerships and YMCA visibility.
  • Advances Beacon in the Desert strategic priorities.
  • Champions innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Serves as a trusted leader across the Association.


FULL TIME BENEFITS:
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Free YMCA Family Membership
  • Employee Program Rewards and Discounts
  • Paid Vacation & Sick Leave (once accrued)
  • 403b Retirement Savings Account Upon Hire
  • Professional Development Opportunities & Trainings
  • 12% Employer Funded Retirement Plan (once eligible)
  • Health benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance


This job announcement is not intended to be inclusive of all functions, responsibilities and qualifications associated with the position, however, representative of the essential job functions and typical criteria considered necessary to successfully perform the position.

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