Introduction: In our 95th year, the Santa Monica YMCA Board of Directors is looking for an innovative leader and solid operator with a collaborative spirit who can build strong relationships in the communities served by the Y. Rising stars welcome! We are looking for our next leader to have a dynamic presence in our community, nurture strategic partnerships and ensure financial sustainability into the future.

The Santa Monica Family YMCA is committed to advancing social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We seek to educate ourselves about social disparities, injustices and constructs that keep us from seeing and acting upon the needs of marginalized people. Through both an internal and external lens we seek to become a more just, antiracist, multicultural organization. We have a proven ability to step up when the community needs us, and we recognize that we need to build stronger community connections and increase our visibility as a community partner with stakeholders and organizations that share our commitment to affect positive change to strengthen community. Our next CEO must be prepared to champion this work and ensure progress continues to be made.

Minimum Candidate Criteria:

Preferred Candidate Criteria:

Position Description and Board Expectations: The CEO will provide executive leadership to the YMCA and, in partnership with the Board of Directors, is responsible for its strategic direction and success. The CEO will lead the organization in achieving its mission, including overseeing its financial stability, community and philanthropic relations, staffing, development, and operations, under the policies, directives and guidelines established by the Board of Directors. Key competencies for this position include Change Leadership, Communication & Influence, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Program/Project Management, Engaging Community, Collaboration, Fiscal Management, Inclusion, Emotional Intelligence, and Philanthropy. The Y board seeks an experienced leader who has the requisite background and skills to achieve excellence in the following areas:

• 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.
• 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. Develop and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders and partners from diverse backgrounds, while always upholding the highest standards and values of the Y. Ensure our Y is seen as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose, and each other.
• Improve Operating Performance Through Strong Fiscal Management: Continue to lead our organization through post-pandemic recovery and revitalization by focusing on membership retention and growth. Use high-level financial analysis to forecast financial trends and ensure growth. Quickly address financial issues that may arise. Develop the budget and drive operations to surplus annually by growing earned revenue and contributions and controlling costs. Empower and guide staff to lead their departments to achieve financial milestones.
• Steward Fundraising Efforts: Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan that will establish the YMCA as a leading nonprofit organization within the community through the engagement of members, volunteers, staff, and donors. Identify the need for successful capital fundraising, while taking the organization to a new level of effectiveness and impact in annual giving and endowment.
• Make Progress as an Inclusive, Anti-Racist, Multicultural Organization: Intentionally promote inclusion in all aspects, ensure and sustains diverse representation in our leadership, and lead social change in our communities through anti-racist policies, words, and actions. Working with our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee, continue to make progress on the strategic initiatives outlined in our existing plan.
• Build and Lead Staff Team: Ensure a talent development system is in place and executed in an affirming, culturally competent and effective manner. Work towards recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting staff that represent the diversity of the communities you serve. Encourage the team by creating a spirit of camaraderie, inclusion, and sense of mission and purpose. Create a learning organization to help staff achieve their highest potential.

Salary Range: $175,000-$200,000

Benefits: YMCA Retirement Plan contribution is 8% paid by employer. Individual medical coverage provided at 90% paid by employer/10% paid by employee. Paid time off is based on years of experience. Relocation assistance may be provided.

Residency Expectation: It is desired that the CEO live proximate to our service area and will have an in-person presence in the community.

Service Area & Demographics:

Founded in 1927, the Santa Monica Family YMCA enjoys an excellent reputation and strong community support and engagement. We have two facilities that include an 85,000 sq ft main facility and a camp (Camp Big Bear).

8.4 sq. miles, Santa Monica has a population of 91,600. The 5 largest ethnic groups in Santa Monica, CA are White (Non-Hispanic) (63.2%), White (Hispanic) (9.94%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (9.79%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (5.63%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.09%). 72% of the households in Santa Monica, CA are renter-occupied while 28% are owner-occupied.

Santa Monica YMCA Facts:

• Mission Statement: The Santa Monica Family YMCA is dedicated to serving the community by providing programs and services that enrich the quality of the physical, mental, spiritual and social lives of individuals and families. In all we do, we will be guided by principles of love and respect for all people, embracing diversity in all its forms to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility guide us in everything we do.
• Core Programs: Senior wellness, Diabetes Prevention Program, youth basketball league, Early Learning Center and afterschool programs, Youth & Government, Away Camp, youth & adult swim lessons, group exercise.
• Current Strategic Priorities: The last strategic plan was completed in 2016. The new CEO will need to lead the process for a new strategic plan.
• Volunteer Leadership: The YMCA has 24 board members – 10 are female and 14 are male, there are three open positions. The bylaws were updated in 2018. The Y has an additional 64 volunteers who support the YMCA through programs and services.
• Staff: The YMCA employs 31 FT staff, 25 PT staff and 15 seasonal employees.
• Direct reports to CEO: The CEO has 8 direct reports currently as the COO position is vacant. This includes the Finance Director/HR, Chronic Disease Prevention Program Director, Youth & Family Program Director, Facility Manager, Marketing & Member Engagement Director, Early Learning Center Director, Camp Big Bear Director and the Aquatic Director.
• Facilities: We are an 85,000 sq ft; single branch association with a camp (Camp Big Bear). The facility is in good to excellent condition after three phases of additions/remodeling.
  • The main facility opened in 1989. Our most recent addition (45,00sq ft.) opened in 2002. Our facility includes lap pool, teaching pool, spa, six locker rooms, two with steam and sauna, Fitness Center-three rooms with Nautilus, Precor and Life Fitness cardio and strength training equipment, fitness testing lab; double gymnasium, climbing wall, two racquetball/handball courts, weight room, multi-purpose rooms, youth center, child watch room, kitchen and community room; licensed infant, toddler, preschool center; rooftop walking track and youth play area.
  • Camp Big Bear is a 10-acre facility located at 7,000 feet elevation in Boulder Bay on Big Bear Lake with 600+ ft. of lakefront in the San Bernardino Mountains that offers many water and inland activities including: swimming, archery, arts & crafts, high/low ropes, volleyball, Frisbee golf, hiking, waterfront: kayaks, canoes, rowboats, paddleboards, putt-putts, fishing, etc. The camp operates year-round and accommodates groups of up to 250 including staff. Facilities at Camp Big Bear include: dormitory, dining Hall with multi-purpose room, commercial kitchen and upstairs sleeping quad, camp fire, arts & crafts cabin, 9 sleeping cabins, Kybo, pool with dressing/shower/bathrooms, staff lodge, directors lodge and office, garage with second story sleeping quarters, and a lakeside 2-story cabin.
• Number of People Served Annually: The Y currently has 4,410 members (3,100 units of membership) and serves over 1,000 program participants. Prior to COVID, the YMCA had 6,300 members and served over 3,000 additional program participants.
• Philanthropy: The Y raised $145,000 2019, $161,114 in 2020, and $142,019 in 2021 for the annual campaign. The 2022 goal is $150,000. Year to date, the YMCA has awarded $81,710 in financial assistance and awarded $60,447 in 2021. The community room is available to other nonprofits, the city and school district.
• Financial Position: The 2022 budget is $3.6M. Prior to COVID, the budget was $5.3M. The Santa Monica Y has no debt, does not rely on any government funding, has a healthy endowment fund, and maintains annual reserves for facility and camp improvements. Cash flow and reserves are used to fund regular maintenance and capital improvements.

Attractions and Quality of Life Benefits to Living and Working in the Community:

Santa Monica is an upscale beach town and one of the best suburbs of Los Angeles. It is a longtime stomping ground for professionals, retirees, artists, and well-heeled residents who appreciate its beautiful surroundings, laid-back vibe, and countless amenities. Known as “Silicon Beach,” local businesses are at the leading edge of the nation's creative economy and startup scene. Santa Monica is also home to three renowned and respected health facilities, Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente. Santa Monica has year-round moderate temperatures for biking, hiking and walking. The Santa Monia Pier is the end of Route 66. You can go from sun and sea to snow and ski in a matter of hours. The Santa Monica school system is excellent.

Informational Sites:

• Santa Monica YMCA: www.ymcasm.org
• Santa Monica Visitor’s Bureau: www.santamonica.com
• Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce: www.smchamber.com
• California Alliance of YMCAs: www.ymcasofca.org
• YMCA of the USA: www.ymca.org

CEO Search Process Target Dates: subject to change

• Resumes accepted through: December 12, 2022
• Preliminary Interviews: January 25 and 26, 2023
• Final in-person interviews: February 21 and 22, 2023
• New CEO on board: April 14, 2023

To Apply:

Candidates will apply via the following website: https://tinyurl.com/santa-monica-ymca-ceo

You will be requested to submit the following with your online application: A resume and cover letter, along with four professional and two personal references. Note: References will be checked on final candidates.

Questions regarding this position should be directed to:

About the Search Process

Leighann Sibal

Director, Thriving Ys

YMCA of the USA

312-209-3832

leighann.sibal@ymca.net

About the Y

Dan Crocker

California State Alliance of YMCAs

dan@ymcasofca.org