Vice President of Youth Development Strategic Initiatives

Position Summary

The Vice President of Youth Development serves as the association leader responsible for shaping and advancing the YMCA of Greater Birmingham's strategy for youth development, childcare, and family engagement across a multi branch association.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and serving as a member of the senior leadership team, this executive provides association-wide leadership to strengthen program quality, expand community impact, and create a consistent experience for children and families across all YMCA locations.

This leader will oversee the development and execution of youth development strategies that support growth, innovation, engagement, and long-term sustainability across programs including childcare, camps, youth sports, teen initiatives, swim lessons, and family engagement.

The Vice President will also lead the launch and long term success of the YMCA Childcare Center of Excellence, a transformational partnership with the City of Birmingham designed to serve children birth through Pre K while establishing a regional model for childcare excellence and educator development.

This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of youth impact across one of the YMCA movement's leading associations.
Opportunity Highlights

The Vice President of Youth Development will have the opportunity to:

• Launch a transformational Childcare Center of Excellence in partnership with the City of Birmingham
• Shape youth development strategy across one of the YMCA movement's leading associations
• Influence childcare, camps, sports, swim lessons, teen programs, and family engagement initiatives
• Build partnerships with schools, municipalities, and community organizations
• Serve as a senior executive leader helping define organizational strategy and community impact

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership

1. Lead the development and execution of the association wide youth development strategy, including childcare, youth programs, and family engagement initiatives.
2. Develop long term priorities and strategic plans that strengthen community impact and support organizational growth.
3. Establish performance indicators and accountability systems to measure youth impact, participation, quality, growth, and outcomes.
4. Develop and advance an association wide youth development philosophy aligned with YMCA mission, values, and community needs.
5. Align resources, initiatives, and investments with strategic priorities.

Program Excellence and Quality

1. Define and implement association wide standards for youth programming, curriculum alignment, child safety practices, and program quality.
2. Ensure licensed programs maintain regulatory compliance and uphold the highest standards of care and safety.
3. Strengthen a culture of safety, belonging, quality, and excellence across all youth programs.
4. Identify areas of underperformance and implement strategies to improve effectiveness and outcomes.
5. Utilize data and performance metrics to guide decision making and continuous improvement.

Innovation and Growth

1. Lead the association childcare strategy to ensure sustainability, growth, and operational alignment.
2. Encourage innovation to expand access, deepen impact, and strengthen participation for children and families.
3. Develop and expand partnerships with schools, community organizations, municipalities, and public agencies.
4. Collaborate with operations, advancement, and marketing teams to align growth strategies and community impact efforts.
5. Lead and support key strategic initiatives aligned with organizational priorities.

Leadership and Collaboration

1. Provide strategic leadership and functional oversight for youth development initiatives across all branches in partnership with Branch Executive Directors.
2. Lead through influence and collaboration to ensure alignment, consistency, and execution of youth priorities throughout the association.
3. Supervise and support association youth development leaders by providing coaching, accountability, and leadership development.
4. Foster collaboration across branches to create a unified youth and family experience.
5. Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team contributing to organizational strategy and decision making.
6. Perform additional strategic responsibilities aligned with organizational priorities.

Strategic Initiative Leadership

Lead implementation and long term success of the YMCA Childcare Center of Excellence including:

• Startup planning and operational launch
• Program model development
• Community and educational partnerships
• Educator development initiatives
• Sustainability planning and growth strategy
• Operational alignment and quality systems

Direct Reports

• Executive Director of School Based Programs
• Executive Director, Childcare Center of Excellence

The Vice President also provides functional leadership and strategic oversight for youth development initiatives in partnership with Branch Executive Directors.
First Year Priorities

• Successfully launch the YMCA Childcare Center of Excellence
• Establish and implement the association youth development strategy
• Create association wide standards for quality and program delivery
• Strengthen participation, engagement, and youth impact metrics
• Expand strategic partnerships supporting youth and family initiatives
• Strengthen collaboration and alignment across branches

Minimum Requirements

1. Bachelor's degree required (Early Childhood Education or K-12 Education Degree Preferred); advanced degree preferred
2. Five (5) or more years of leadership experience overseeing multiple youth or childcare programs
3. Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategic initiatives across multiple locations or departments
4. Experience with licensed childcare and regulatory compliance preferred
5. Proven ability to lead, influence, and align leaders and cross-functional teams
6. Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
7. Ability to analyze complex information and implement effective solutions
8. Passionate commitment to the YMCA mission and values

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive benefits package:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage (with significant employer contribution)
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Generous retirement plan with 12% employer contribution once eligible
• Paid time off and paid holidays

• YMCA perks:

• Free YMCA membership for you and your household
• Significant discounts on YMCA programs (including childcare, after-school programs, and summer camps)

• Work environment: Flexible schedule and supportive team culture
• Growth: Senior leadership visibility and executive development opportunities within one of the YMCA movement's leading associations
• Mission: Work that makes a difference in your community every single day