Vice President of Program Quality & Innovation

The Vice President of Program Quality & Innovation is a visionary, strategic leader who transforms how we deliver programs throughout the community. As a key member of the leadership team, this role drives both excellence in current programs and bold innovation in what comes next—ensuring our aquatics, sports, arts, and enrichment offerings not only meet community needs today but anticipate and shape what's possible tomorrow.

Partnering closely with the COO, leadership team, and community stakeholders, the VP is accountable for program quality, safety, growth, and innovation. This leader builds a culture of continuous improvement while championing new ideas, delivery models, and program opportunities that differentiate the Y and deepen our community impact. They develop high-performing teams, establish quality standards, leverage YMCA Leading Practices, and ensure every program creates pathways for achievement, relationships, and belonging.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in recreation, education, nonprofit management, or related field; master's degree preferred
• Minimum 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in program management, preferably within a YMCA or mission-driven nonprofit
• Proven track record of program innovation, launching new initiatives, and driving measurable results
• Strong strategic thinking with ability to balance visionary ideas and operational execution
• Experience managing multiple program areas, diverse teams, and complex budgets
• Deep understanding of program development, quality assurance, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Demonstrated success in staff development, coaching, and building high-performing teams
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
• Data-driven mindset with ability to use metrics to inform decisions and demonstrate impact
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and serving all community members
Ability to work flexible schedule including evenings and weekends as needed

Preferred:

• YMCA or similar nonprofit recreation/wellness organization experience
• YMCA Organizational Leader certification
• Aquatics background with knowledge of swim instruction, competitive programs, and safety standards
• Experience with state licensing, accreditation processes, and regulatory compliance
• Background in youth development, sports programming, or arts education
• Track record of building community partnerships and securing grants or program funding
  

Visionary Leadership & Strategic Innovation

• Develop and execute an association-wide program innovation strategy that anticipates community needs and positions the Y as a leader in achievement, relationships and belonging
• Lead the discovery and implementation of next-generation programs, exploring new delivery models (virtual/hybrid, outdoor, community-based), underserved populations (adaptive programs, special needs, emerging demographics), and revenue-generating opportunities aligned with mission
• Pioneer pilot programs that test new ideas, measure impact, and scale what works across the association
• Stay current with YMCA national trends, best practices, and innovations; connect with peer YMCAs to benchmark and learn
Challenge the status quo by asking: What should we start? What should we stop? What should we do differently?

Program Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and implement quality standards, performance metrics, and outcome measures for all program areas
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement where staff regularly assess effectiveness, gather feedback, and iterate on programs
• Ensure all programs align with YMCA Leading Practices and reflect best-in-class programming standards
• Monitor participation data, satisfaction scores, and community impact metrics; use insights to drive program decisions
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols, licensing requirements, risk management standards, and YMCA policies
• Create consistency in program delivery across locations while allowing for innovation and local adaptation
Develop systems for program evaluation that measure not just participation but achievement, relationships, and belonging outcomes

Leadership & Development

• Provide leadership and coaching to Senior Director of Arts, Sports & Enrichment, two aquatics directors and the head coach of the swim team, building their capacity for excellence and leadership growth
• Provide coaching, professional development, and clear expectations that drive accountability and results
• Create pathways for staff growth and advancement, building the next generation of YMCA program leaders.
• Provide strategic direction for aquatics programs, ensuring safety, quality, and innovation
• Support development of arts programs (theater, music, dance, visual arts) that foster creativity and self-expression
• Guide sports programming to balance recreational participation with skill development and competitive opportunities
• Champion enrichment programming (STEM, maker spaces, creative learning) that prepares young people for future success
• Ensure facility-based camps deliver high-quality, engaging summer experiences for children and families
Identify cross-program opportunities that integrate arts, sports, and enrichment for holistic youth development

Financial Management & Growth

• Develop and manage program division budget, ensuring financial sustainability and strategic resource allocation
• Identify revenue growth opportunities within programs while maintaining mission-driven pricing and accessibility
• Monitor program financial performance; adjust offerings based on participation trends and community needs
• Partner with membership and marketing teams to promote programs and drive enrollment
• Ensure financial assistance programs are accessible and support the Y's commitment to serving all
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Community Engagement
• Partner with membership team to create seamless pathways from enrollment to program participation
• Collaborate with youth development leadership to align programming for preschool, school-age and teens
• Work with marketing and communications to tell compelling stories of program impact and participant success
• Support fundraising efforts by cultivating donor relationships and demonstrating program outcomes
• Represent the YMCA at community events, building visibility and strengthening partnerships
Engage with diverse community stakeholders to understand needs and co-create responsive programs

YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES (Organizational Leader)

Project Management – Innovation – Engaging Community – Critical Thinking