Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer – Centralized High Impact Programs

The COO ensures excellence, innovation, and sustainability across a portfolio of programs that support youth & families across the region.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Centralized High Impact Programs is a key member of the YMCA of Memphis & the Mid‑South’s C‑Suite, reporting directly to the President & CEO. This position provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the YMCA’s largest business units — representing over $50 million in annual revenue and serving thousands of children, teens, and families across the Mid‑South.

The COO is responsible for ensuring excellence, innovation, and sustainability across a diverse portfolio of programs, including the USDA Child Nutrition Program, Early Childhood and Education, Youth Development (Before & After School), Teen Programming (including Middle School After school and Teen Nights), and Intervention Programs that support youth and families across the region.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, innovative, and operationally minded leader with a proven record of success leading large, complex organizations — preferably within the YMCA movement — who can build strong relationships, develop high‑performing teams, and position the YMCA as a regional and national leader in child development, nutrition, and youth engagement.

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, or related.
• Preferred 10 years of progressive leadership experience in operations, youth development, or large‑scale program management; YMCA experience strongly preferred.
• Proven success managing large budgets ($25M+), multi‑site operations with diverse staff teams.
• Demonstrated success developing and tracking KPIs tied to financial, operational, and impact outcomes.
• Experience in innovation, program development, and large‑scale organizational change.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience in forecasting, analysis, and resource optimization.
• Exceptional relationship‑building and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Deep commitment to the mission and values of the YMCA and to advancing community impact.

• Serve as a core member of the YMCA’s C‑Suite, contributing to all major organizational decision‑making, strategy development, and long‑term planning.
• Provide vision, innovation, and leadership for centralized high‑impact programs that align with the YMCA’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Partner with the CEO and peers to ensure organizational growth, operational efficiency, and consistent quality across all program areas.
• Lead the development of annual operating plans, budgets, and measurable KPIs aligned with strategic goals.
• Position the YMCA as an industry leader in early learning, youth development, nutrition services, and community‑based impact initiatives.

• Responsible for the daily operations of major program areas generating over $50 million in annual revenue, including:
• USDA Child Nutrition Program
• Early Childhood and Education
• Youth Development (Before & After School)
• Teen Programs (including Middle School After school and Teen Nights)
• Intervention Programs designed to engage and support at‑risk youth and families.
• Ensure all programs meet or exceed compliance requirements, quality standards, and participant satisfaction goals.
• Implement systems to monitor program performance, financial results, and impact metrics.
• Lead innovation in program design and delivery to meet evolving community needs and strengthen outcomes.
• Drive operational excellence and growth through data‑informed decision‑making, efficient systems, and high standards of accountability.
• Create and maintain policies and procedures that ensure consistency, quality, and compliance across all program areas.

• Lead and develop a team of three Senior Vice Presidents, providing mentorship, direction, and performance accountability.
• Responsible for more than 1,500 team members, fostering a culture of…