Chief Operating Officer

Company: YMCA
Location: Cordova
Posted on: January 13, 2026

Job Description:

The COO ensures excellence, innovation, and sustainability across a portfolio of programs that support youth & families across the region. Job Description 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 Afterschool 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. Qualifications 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) and 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. Essential Functions Strategic Leadership & Vision 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. Operational Responsibility & Performance 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 Afterschool and Teen Nights) Intervention Programs designed to engage and support at-risk youth and families. Responsible for ensuring 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. Leadership, Talent Development & Culture 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 collaboration, innovation, and service excellence. Champion staff training, professional development, and leadership capacity-building across all levels. Work closely with the Human Resources team to align workforce planning, training, performance management, and staff engagement strategies. Partner with the Director of Risk and Compliance to ensure operational safety, compliance, and risk mitigation across all departments. Promote a mission-driven, people-centered culture that reflects YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Quality, Growth, Innovation & Impact Ensure all programs deliver high-quality, mission-driven experiences with measurable outcomes. Lead and promote innovation within program design, structure, and delivery — piloting new initiatives that respond to community needs. Identify and pursue opportunities for program growth, partnership expansion, and community reach. Establish and monitor KPIs focused on program quality, financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and participant satisfaction. Lead continuous improvement efforts and integrate best practices in program management and service delivery. Responsible for quality assurance systems that ensure excellence across all departments and program types. Community, Stakeholder & District Relationships Serve as a visible and engaged community ambassador representing the YMCA’s mission, programs, and values. Build and maintain strong relationships with school districts, local governments, state agencies, funders, and community partners. Strengthen and expand stakeholder relationships that enhance collaboration, advocacy, and funding opportunities. Work closely with business, civic, and nonprofit leaders to position the YMCA as a trusted partner in education, health, and community advancement. Represent the YMCA at community events, strategic meetings, and professional associations to expand awareness and influence. Risk Management, Compliance & Accountability Responsible for ensuring all programs comply with federal, state, and local regulations, including DHS licensing, USDA, and auditing requirements. Partner with the Director of Risk and Compliance to implement robust safety protocols, audit systems, and continuous compliance monitoring. Work collaboratively with Risk and HR to ensure a proactive and consistent approach to training, emergency response, and compliance communication. Promote a strong culture of safety, transparency, and accountability across all levels of the organization. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Financial Performance: Annual revenue growth, margin management, and program sustainability. Program Quality: Achievement of established quality benchmarks, compliance standards, and participant satisfaction scores. Enrollment & Retention: Consistent increases in program participation and retention. Staff Development: Improved retention, advancement, and leadership pipeline across all departments. Innovation & Growth: Successful implementation of new initiatives and measurable expansion of community reach. Community Impact: Increased access to services, strengthened partnerships, and positive public perception. Operational Efficiency: Improved systems, reduced redundancy, and streamlined performance tracking. Other Responsibilities Create and implement policies and procedures that drive consistency, accountability, and excellence. Develop cross-functional collaboration with HR, Finance, Marketing, and Operations to align priorities. Engage in continuous professional development to stay informed of emerging trends and best practices. Perform all other duties as assigned by the President & CEO. Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies Mission Advancement: Reinforces the Y’s values within the organization and the community. Effectively communicates the benefits and impact of the Y’s efforts for all stakeholders. Collaboration: Builds and nurtures strategic relationships to enhance support for the Y. Serves as a community leader building collaboration based on trust and credibility to advance the Y’s mission and goals. Communicates for influence to attain buy-in and support of goals. Provides tools and resources for the development of others. Operational Effectiveness: Integrates multiple thinking processes to make decisions. Involves staff at all levels in the development of programs and activities. Ensures execution of plans. Institutes sound accounting procedures and financial controls. Assigns clear accountability and ensures continuous improvement. Personal Growth: Fosters a learning environment embracing diverse abilities and approaches. Creates a sense of urgency and positive tension to support change. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology. Behavioral Characteristics: Welcoming, Nurturing, Determined, Hopeful, and Genuine.

Keywords: YMCA, Memphis , Chief Operating Officer, Human Resources , Cordova, Tennessee