Executive Director
Description
Position Overview
The YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge & South Amboy (MEWSA) is seeking an accomplished, community-minded, and forward-thinking Executive Director to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of one of our branches.
This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader to build upon the YMCA of MEWSA's longstanding community impact, strengthen organizational performance, cultivate meaningful partnerships, and lead a talented team of professionals and volunteers in advancing our mission.
As a leading nonprofit, charitable organization, the YMCA of MEWSA is committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Executive Director serves as a visible ambassador and steward of our mission, championing an inclusive, welcoming, and engaging environment where individuals and families of all backgrounds can thrive.
This position works collaboratively with executive leadership, staff, volunteers, and community partners to advance organizational priorities and deliver meaningful results.
Essential Functions
Branch Leadership & Strategic Planning
- Provide strategic and mission-driven leadership for all aspects of branch operations.
- Translate Association-wide strategic priorities into actionable branch goals.
- Identify opportunities for growth, innovation, program expansion, and enhanced community impact.
- Monitor branch performance, establish accountability, and drive continuous improvement.
Program Operations & Department Management
- Provide oversight of branch programs and daily operations, ensuring high-quality, mission-aligned experiences for members and staff.
- Lead and develop department leaders, establishing clear expectations, performance standards, and accountability.
- Evaluate program effectiveness, member engagement, participation trends, and service delivery.
- Foster a culture of collaboration and service excellence.
- Ensure facilities, grounds, equipment, and programs meet established standards for safety and operational excellence.
Annual Campaign & Volunteer Leadership
- Lead the branch's annual campaign and financial development efforts, building a culture of philanthropy and community investment.
- Inspire staff and volunteers to embrace their role as ambassadors and advocates for the YMCA of MEWSA.
Fiscal Management
- Provide comprehensive oversight of branch financial performance.
- Develop and manage annual operating budgets.
Community Relations & Strategic Partnerships
- Serve as a visible and engaged representative of the YMCA of MEWSA within the community.
- Build and sustain meaningful relationships with local community leaders.
- Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships and collaborative programming.
- Champion our charitable mission and communicate its community benefit and impact to members and staff.
Board Support – To be developed
- Partner with Association leadership and volunteer leadership to support effective branch governance and advisory committee engagement.
- Cultivate productive relationships with board and committee members, ensuring alignment around organizational priorities and community impact.
- Support the recruitment, orientation, engagement, and development of branch volunteers.
- Reinforce clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability among the Association Board, branch advisory committees, management, staff, and volunteers.
Association Participation & Representation
- Actively contribute to Association-wide strategic initiatives, leadership discussions, and organizational priorities.
- Collaborate across branches and departments.
- Represent the YMCA of MEWSA at community events
- Model and reinforce our mission, values, leadership expectations, and commitment to service excellence.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
- Three to five years of Senior Director experience, experience managing multiple programs, or comparable experience.
- Multi-Team Leader or Branch Leader Certification preferred.
- Ability to demonstrate a vision for positive growth in assigned departments and across the branch.
- Demonstrated results in branch operations, staff supervision and development, volunteer and member relations, program development, fiscal management, planning, problem-solving, and annual special-event fundraising.
- Knowledge of and experience serving diverse populations.
- Strong skills in planning and implementing administrative procedures and enforcing safety regulations.
- Ability to manage multiple facilities and programs.
- Strong supervisory, budgeting, and forecasting skills, including the ability to develop and manage budgets.
- Excellent verbal and written communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical incidents and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency.
- Ability to observe participant activities, enforce safety regulations, and apply appropriate policies and procedures.
- Ability to engage and motivate YMCA volunteers and key community leaders.
- CPR and First Aid certification required within 30 days of hire from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety & Health Institute.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS
Normal amounts of walking, standing, sitting, running, jumping, lifting, pushing, pulling, speaking, reading, and writing. Must be able to hear, see and respond quickly to patron’s needs.