President and Chief Executive Officer

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

THE OPPORTUNITY AT THE SOUTH SOUND YMCA

The South Sound YMCA presents a rare opportunity to lead an established, financially strong association that is poised for meaningful growth. Serving Thurston and Mason counties for more than 120 years, the Y has earned a trusted place at the center of community life by bringing people together, expanding access to essential services and responding to the evolving needs of children, families and individuals across the region.

The next President and Chief Executive Officer will lead from a position of strength while shaping an ambitious vision for the future. With approximately 28,000 members, three established branches, a fourth branch in development in Lacey, robust youth development and child care operations, and strong financial reserves, the South Sound YMCA offers both stability and extraordinary possibility. This is an opportunity to expand the Y’s regional reach, elevate its visibility and influence, cultivate transformative partnerships, and ensure that its programs and facilities remain relevant, accessible and responsive for generations to come.

The Board seeks a dynamic and forward thinking executive who is energized by possibility and inspired by community. The successful candidate will bring the strategic vision to imagine what is next, the operational discipline to translate that vision into results, and the relationship building ability to unite staff, volunteers, donors and community partners around a shared purpose. For a leader ready to make a lasting mark on a thriving organization and a growing region, the South Sound YMCA offers a compelling platform for impact.

KEY SKILLS AND ABILITIES OF OUR NEXT CEO

• Develop and Implement a Strategic Plan: 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 and includes 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
• Position the Y as a Vital Partner for Community Change: Serve as an ambassador for the mission, purpose, and vision for the YMCA within the community. Possess the ability to develop and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds, while always upholding the highest standards and values of the Y. Ensure your Y is seen as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose, and each other. Key competencies: Communication & Influence, Engaging Community, Collaboration
• Build and Lead Staff: Ensure a talent development system is in place and executed effectively with cultural competence. Hire, motivate, nurture, retain, and hold staff accountable for key objectives. Work towards recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting staff. Encourage the team by creating a spirit of camaraderie, connection, and sense of mission and purpose. Create a learning organization to help staff achieve their highest potential. Key competencies: Developing Self & Others, Inclusion, Emotional Maturity, Change Leadership
• Improve Operating Performance: Engage the board and appropriate staff to develop an annual tactical plan for identifying and achieving key goals and objectives towards operating with safe, relevant, and sustainable practices. 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
• Fiscal Management: Use high-level financial analysis to forecast financial trends, growth, and stability, while consistently leading the organization to balance or surplus operations by growing earned revenue and contributions and controlling costs. Empower and guide staff leaders to lead their departments to successful financial operations. Develop and implement stewardship strategies. Key competencies: Fiscal Management, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Developing Self & Others, Philanthropy

ABOUT THE SOUTH SOUND YMCA

For more than 120 years, the South Sound YMCA has listened to and responded to the changing needs of its communities. Today, the association provides welcoming spaces and high-impact programs that nurture youth, improve health and wellbeing, strengthen families, and create meaningful connections across Thurston and Mason counties. Its work includes facility membership, aquatics, health and wellbeing, youth sports, school-age childcare, camps, teen leadership, community engagement and financial assistance. The association operates the Briggs Community YMCA and Plum Street YMCA in Olympia and the Shelton Family YMCA in Mason County, supported by an Association Office in Olympia. The Y also delivers childcare at 28 school sites and is advancing plans for a future branch in Lacey.

Our Mission

To provide youth and our community an affordable and accessible resource for the positive development of spirit, mind, and body through recreational, health, and leadership programs.

Our Cause & Values

To strengthen the foundations of community and instill the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Our Culture

• The Y Experience - The Y Experience is built from our mission and encompasses the values and philosophy by which we serve and operate.
• Welcoming - We are open to all. We are a place where you can be yourself and find yourself in others.
• Genuine - We value you and embrace your individuality.
• Hopeful - We believe in you and your potential to do good in the world.
• Nurturing - We support you as you become the best version of yourself.
• Determined - Above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger, beginning with you.
• Raising the BAR Initiative - Belonging, Achievement, and Relationships; a framework that strengthens how we build connections, support growth, and create meaningful experiences for staff, members, and the communities we serve.

Current Key Strategic Initiatives

• Advance planning and development for a future YMCA branch in Lacey and expand access in north Thurston County.
• Sustain strong membership performance while deepening member engagement and retention across all branches.
• Strengthen school-age childcare enrollment, staffing and long-term operating sustainability.
• Grow philanthropy, partnerships and community support to increase access and fund mission impact.
• Continue building an anti-racist, multicultural organization where equity, justice and belonging are reflected in systems, culture and service.

Membership

8,120 membership units, 27,644 members

Branch Information

• Briggs Community YMCA: The association’s largest full-service branch, offering aquatics, health and wellness programs, group exercise, youth sports, and opportunities for individuals and families to connect and thrive.
• Plum Street YMCA: A welcoming community wellness center that provides fitness, health and wellbeing programs, group exercise, and accessible opportunities for members to pursue healthy lifestyles and build meaningful connections.
• Shelton Family YMCA: The association’s primary presence in Mason County, offering aquatics, fitness, youth and family programming, and community focused services designed to strengthen the health and wellbeing of the region.
• Future Lacey Branch: A new branch currently in development that will expand access to YMCA programs and services and create additional opportunities for health, youth development, family engagement, and community connection in the growing Lacey area.
• Association Office: The central administrative and leadership hub supporting the association’s branches, youth development programs, community engagement efforts, financial operations, fundraising, marketing, and organizational strategy.

Core Programs