The First Coast YMCA serves a growing and diverse community across Northeast Florida, helping all people reach their full potential.
Job Description
This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned and mission-driven leader to make a profound impact within one of the most vibrant YMCA associations in Florida. The First Coast YMCA serves a growing and diverse community across Northeast Florida, helping all people reach their full potential in spirit, mind, and body.
The President and CEO provides visionary and strategic leadership to the YMCA of Florida's First Coast ensuring its continued mission impact, operational excellence, community relevance and financial sustainability. As the face of the organization, this leader will collaboratively partner closely with the Board of Directors, staff, philanthropic partners and community leaders to strengthen the YMCA's presence and legacy throughout the First Coast region advancing the Y's role as a trusted leader in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Our CEO will inspire and empower a dedicated staff team and volunteer network, fostering a culture grounded in the YMCA’s core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. A top priority will be ensuring the safety, well‑being, and belonging of all individuals—especially children and families—through the highest standards of operational excellence and compliance.
The ideal candidate will be a visionary, community‑minded leader with demonstrated success in organizational growth, financial stewardship, and partnership cultivation. This individual will possess:
- Humility with high emotional intelligence that fosters respect and productive collaboration.
- Integrity and a reputation for aligning words, decisions, and actions with organizational values.
- Vision and strategic insight to anticipate trends, adapt to changing needs, and guide long‑term success.
- Executive presence and communication skills that engage and influence diverse stakeholders.
- Influence to build alignment, shape decisions, and lead effectively in complex environments.
- Service and a demonstrated commitment to community leadership and volunteer engagement.
- Engagement through a collaborative leadership approach that strengthens relationships and unites stakeholders.
- Executive leadership experience within complex, mission‑driven organizations.
- Operational excellence with a track record of delivering measurable outcomes through strategic focus and innovation.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree (master's preferred) in Business Administration, Human Services or related field
- Effective communicator and relationship‑builder across diverse populations
- At least 10 years of executive leadership experience, ideally in a YMCA or nonprofit environment with complex, multi‑site operations
- Proven track record in strategic planning and execution
- Board and staff development
- Financial oversight and fundraising
- Building community partnerships
- Progressive budgetary leadership and advanced fiscal management practices
- YMCA Organizational Leader certification (required within 3 years)
- Recognition as a community peer among top‑level civic and corporate leaders
- Fiscally sound business management approach
Essential Functions
Develop and implement a strategic plan in partnership with volunteers, community leaders, and key staff, defining organizational strategies, deliverables, and measurable goals.
Steward fundraising efforts by developing an annual fundraising plan, serving as chief fundraiser, engaging major donors, foundations, and public‑private partners, and advancing capital fundraising.
Provide fiscal management through high‑level financial analysis, forecasting, and ensuring balanced or surplus operations while guiding staff leaders.
Build and lead staff by championing an inclusive, mission‑driven culture, talent development, hiring, motivation, retention, and accountability.
Position the Y as a vital partner for community change, cultivating relationships with diverse stakeholders and upholding Y values.
Improve operating performance across multiple branches by developing annual tactical plans, addressing issues, forecasting needs, and managing operations.
Develop an effective and diverse volunteer board, fostering high‑performing governance and recruitment of strategic candidates.
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, voluntary benefits, 8% YMCA Retirement Fund contribution, generous PTO, free Y family memberships and discounts on YMCA programs.
Residency Expectation
The CEO is expected to be highly engaged and visible in the community, with residency in the YMCA’s service area required.
Application
Apply online at https://tinyurl.com/ymca-of-floridas-1st-coast-ceo. Candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and six references (four professional, two personal). Successful candidates must pass a background check and hold or obtain YMCA Organizational Leader certification within three years.
Questions may be directed to Sandy Morander (sandy.morander@ymca.net) or Lynne Wilcox (lynne@floridaymcas.org).
