The Regional Manager provides strategic leadership to the division in the achievement of YMCA Memphis and The Mid-South's goals.
Essential Functions
Leadership/Supervision
• Communicate to the region the company’s goals, priorities, progress and accomplishments. Provide a channel for Center Directors and staff input.
• Establish and communicate a regional strategy, which allows Center Directors to develop and achieve goals in conjunction with annual company goals.
• Establish a plan for center visits. Develop a consistent schedule to assess goal achievement, program evaluation and to audit operating systems.
• Hold Center Directors accountable for meeting operational objectives and budgeted financial performance of the location.
• Oversee implementation of company initiatives.
• Ensure that Center Directors implement operating policies and procedures within time requirements.
• Assist Center Directors in assessing, prioritizing, advocating for, and allocating resources.
• Collaborate with corporate departments and with the Division Vice President on the development and implementation of programs and systems that represent the field perspective.
Human Resources
• Establish and maintain a culture in keeping with the fundamental association values. Develop a cohesive team among Center Directors in the region.
• Make Center Director selection a priority, with thoughtful consideration of location, regional and company demands.
• In partnership with the SVP Early Learning, take responsibility for Center Director orientation and ongoing training. In partnership with the Field Education & Training Specialist, design orientation based on an individual Center Director and on center needs according to established association guidelines.
• Establish and implement professional development goals with Center Directors. Ensure that expectations are clear and that performance standards are met.
• Oversee the implementation of a regional recruitment and retention plan that addresses the short and long-range needs of centers in the region.
• Develop and implement regional succession plans that identify and develop future leaders within the YMCA of Memphis and The Mid-South diverse workforce.
• Model and lead company diversity philosophies and programs. Ensure that all constituencies are treated fairly.
• Support Center Directors in the development of skills, which will enable them to manage employee relations, counseling and termination.
• Conduct annual job performance appraisals based on established goals and job descriptions.
• Ensure that Center Directors conduct timely job performance appraisals for their employees.
• Ensure the implementation of awards and recognition programs.
• Guide and support a regional group of staff to identify and support community and workplace culture initiatives. Convene this regional committee monthly through a hybrid of virtual and in‑person meetings.
• Develop a regional training plan/calendar in partnership with the Field Education and Training Specialist.
Financial
• Ensure that financial goals for division are met.
• Develop location budgets that meet revenue and earnings targets.
• Forecast trends and analyze variances to determine appropriate operational adjustments (labor, controllables, FTE’s).
• Demonstrate knowledge of external market rates for tuition and salaries and make recommendations based on analysis.
• Assure that centers provide accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Monitor location tuition collection efforts to sustain a zero accounts receivable balance.
• Ensure financial understanding at the center level that will link the budget and financial reports to operational activities.
• Understand lease summaries and deal structures for all contracts in the division. Ensure that charges, changes, and reports are accurate and timely.
• Develop Monthly Operations Reports (MOR) and submit them to SVP Early Learning.
• Meet or exceed accreditation or quality rating expectations according to association goals and contract requirements at the centers.
• Champion implementation of educational, training and family communication initiatives and consistently strive for program innovation and excellence.
• Ensure that association quality program standards are implemented, and appropriate resources are utilized.
• Evaluate the center’s level of quality and work with the Center Directors and staff to develop a plan for continuous improvement.
• Facilitate the sharing of best practices in the division.
Professionalism
• Positively communicate the association’s goals, philosophies, and policies to families, staff, clients and community.
• Attend and actively participate in Regional Manager meetings, divisional and association functions, and trainings.
• Establish relationships with the local early childhood community and ensure active YMCA Memphis and The Mid‑South representation with relevant early childhood community groups, tasking senior center directors to participate as a professional growth opportunity.
• Practice confidentiality in all matters regarding staff, family, client and company information.
• Continue on‑going professional development. Share information and expertise.
• Develop productive and positive relationships with peers, branches, and other YMCA Memphis and The Mid‑South office personnel.
Marketing and Retention
• Develop marketing and retention plans and ensure their implementation in collaboration with the marketing department.
• Ensure that Center Directors and staff understand and demonstrate the link between the marketing objectives and operational activities (answering the phone, tours, location and community events, drop‑in care, and curb appeal).
• Support the Center Director’s understanding and implementation of marketing initiatives and maximize the usage of collateral materials.
• Hold Center Directors accountable to meet budgeted enrollment goals.
• Lead effort to create public relations opportunities. Monitor and analyze family departures. Implement retention strategies.
• Partner with the Enrollment Management to support the family experience from inquiry to registration to enrollment.
Family Communication
• Model customer service excellence and help the Center Directors to proactively create solutions to meet family needs.
• Oversee the utilization of association tools to measure critical moments in families’ enrollment and ongoing family satisfaction. Facilitate responsive solutions. (e.g. 6‑ week questionnaire, child transitions, family departures.)
• Be present at center family functions (e.g. Parent Partnership Groups, potluck dinners, and family meetings.)
• Oversee annual family survey process in the region and develop and communicate a plan of action with Center Directors for location issues identified.
• Represent and support the association in the resolution of family complaints. Sponsor Relationships / Company
Growth Strategy
• Develop and sustain a strategic partnership with our sponsors and board. Analyze and anticipate sponsor financial needs and monitor sponsor economics. Proactively offer responses.
• Support the sponsor’s work/life initiatives.
• Ensure the Center Director has a positive and productive relationship with center sponsors.
• Monitor the communication flow and reporting between center leadership and sponsors. Manage contact regarding potentially critical situations.
• Communicate and promote the unique resources and programs YMCA Memphis and The Mid‑South has to offer.
• Ensure that any required sponsor reports are completed.
• Provide the growth and strategies team with leads for new opportunities with existing businesses and other potential sponsors.
Health, Safety and Licensing
• Ensure that all licensing and YMCA Memphis and The Mid‑South requirements are consistently met and permits are current.
• Implement the emergency response plan with center teams.
• Communicate licensing status to SVP Early Learning regularly and forward licensing reports to association office designee.
• Ensure the administration of the annual quality audit as well as responses to monthly center visit reports.
• Identify capital improvement needs as well as on‑going facility maintenance and expansion issues.
• Assist with property management decisions that affect program quality and safety.
• Monitor the center’s compliance with all local, state and federal requirements and training. (OSHA, labor posters, etc.)