Executive Director I

Pay Range: $104,000 - $142,000 Exempt

Position Summary:

The Executive Director I is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and operation of the Los Cerritos YMCA branch. This position provides strategic direction for membership growth, financial performance, program development, staff leadership, board and volunteer engagement, facility management, marketing, and community partnerships. The Executive Director serves as the primary representative of the YMCA within the local community, ensuring a high-quality member experience while advancing the YMCA's mission of strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. This position supports branch growth initiatives, including aquatics expansion and operational readiness for the addition of a new outdoor pool, and serves as a member of the Association Executive Council.

Association and Branch Information:

The YMCA of Greater Long Beach is a $43m organization with 900 employees, including 340 benefits-eligible staff. The Los Cerritos YMCA branch is $3.1m and has 60+ full-time and part-time staff. Los Cerritos YMCA serves Bellflower, Cerritos, Artesia, Paramount, and surrounding communities through programs and services that strengthen youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The branch provides a welcoming community hub for members and families, with a focus on high-quality youth and family programming, and community partnerships. The Los Cerritos YMCA is also preparing to add an outdoor pool this fall, creating an important opportunity to expand aquatics, safety around water, swim instruction, and community wellness programming. The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership for branch operations, staff development, volunteer engagement, membership growth, financial performance, facility stewardship, and partnership development.

Essential Functions:

1. Coordinates the development of the Branch Board and committees. Directs the volunteer activities (policy and program) of the branch.
2. Directs strategic planning efforts and develops the annual operating plan of the branch.
3. Directs the financial development activities of the branch.
4. Develops, manages, and monitors the branch operating budget and meets or exceeds budget targets.
5. Represents and promotes the YMCA in the local community and develops positive working relationships with organizations, businesses, governmental entities, and community agencies within the service area.
6. Oversees the hiring, training, supervision, evaluation, and development of branch staff.
7. Develops and directs high-quality member engagement strategies and programs that support branch and Association mission, goals, and strategies.
8. Ensures the safety, maintenance, and effective operation of branch facilities, grounds, and equipment.
9. Directs branch marketing and communication efforts to promote programs, services, and membership growth.
10. Supports aquatics planning, program development, and operational readiness related to the addition of a new outdoor pool.
11. Directs association-wide programs and initiatives as assigned.
12. Serves as a member of the Association Executive Council and supports the overall objectives and strategic priorities of the YMCA.
13. Provides leadership in developing and maintaining collaborative partnerships that advance community impact and YMCA visibility.

YMCA Competencies (Multi-Team or Branch Leader)

Mission Advancement: Reinforces the YMCA's values within the organization and the community. Effectively communicates the benefits and impact of YMCA programs and services. Builds volunteer leadership and board engagement to advance branch goals. Secures community support and resources that strengthen the YMCA's mission and long-term sustainability.

Collaboration: Develops strategies to ensure staff and volunteers reflect the diversity of the community served. Builds and nurtures strategic relationships with community organizations, schools, businesses, and government agencies. Serves as a community leader and ambassador for the YMCA, fostering partnerships based on trust and mutual benefit. Provides coaching, support, and development opportunities for staff and volunteers.

Operational Effectiveness: Integrates data, financial information, and operational needs to make sound decisions. Ensures the successful implementation of branch strategies and operational plans. Maintains effective financial controls, risk management practices, and accountability systems. Establishes performance expectations and promotes continuous improvement throughout the branch.

Personal Growth: Creates a culture of learning, innovation, and inclusion. Demonstrates adaptability and resilience while leading through change and growth opportunities. Anticipates challenges and develops proactive solutions. Maintains current knowledge of YMCA practices, leadership principles, and industry trends while supporting the development of others.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Recreation, Human Services, or a related field required.
2. Master's degree preferred.
3. Eight or more years of progressive management experience, preferably in a YMCA or other nonprofit organization.
4. Demonstrated ability to direct branch operations through volunteer development, staff leadership, budgeting, financial management, marketing, community relations, and program development.
5. Experience building and sustaining community partnerships and engaging volunteer leaders.
6. Proven success in membership growth, program development, and operational leadership.
7. Experience with facility development, aquatics operations, capital projects, or major operational expansions preferred.
8. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations and communities.
9. Strong verbal, written, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
10. YMCA Branch Leader Certification required within three years of hire.
11. CPR, First Aid, AED, and other required YMCA certifications may be required.

Working Conditions:

Environmental Factors: Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments, including administrative offices, fitness and recreational facilities, community meeting locations, and aquatic environments. Exposure to varying weather conditions, noise levels, and occasional construction or facility improvement projects may occur. Noise level is typically moderate.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, and use hands to operate office equipment. The employee may occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, lift, carry, push, and/or pull items weighing up to 25-30 pounds. Frequent movement throughout branch facilities and attendance at community events, meetings, and association functions is required. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.