Chief Executive Officer

YMCA; Remote; GBP 89,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization is seeking a CEO to lead the AL-MS Alliance of YMCAs, focusing on youth development and community health. The position involves strategic leadership, managing relationships with stakeholders, and advocating for public policies that benefit the community. Ideal candidates should have 5-7 years of experience in leadership roles, a bachelor's degree (advanced preferred), and a track record in advocacy and strategic planning. The role offers a salary range of $120,000 to $160,000 annually, along with various benefits.

Benefits

YMCA Retirement (12% contribution)

YMCA 403B savings account

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Disability insurance

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5‑7 years of experience leading in a complex organizational setting.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, relationship management, and advocacy.
• Proven track record of successful advocacy and public policy work.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and day‑to‑day management for the Alliance.
• Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive state and federal advocacy agenda.

Skills

Strategic planning

Relationship management

Advocacy

Collaboration

Change leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred

Job description

Job Description

The AL-MS Alliance of YMCAs is seeking a visionary leader to guide a dynamic network of 22 YMCA Associations united under one mission: strengthening communities across two states. The Alliance serves as a powerful voice for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, amplifying impact through collaboration, advocacy, and innovation.

This is more than a leadership role—it is an opportunity to shape the future of a multi-state movement. The CEO will champion strategies that unite local Ys, elevate their collective influence, and position the Alliance as a trusted partner in public policy and community well‑being. By forging partnerships with policymakers, funders, and community leaders, this leader will expand access to programs that change lives—from chronic disease prevention and childcare to water safety and youth development.

The individual who steps into this role will serve as the Alliance's chief ambassador, mobilizing resources, cultivating relationships, and inspiring collaboration across diverse communities. For a leader who thrives on vision, advocacy, and impact, this is a rare chance to strengthen the Y's presence and ensure that Ys across Alabama and Mississippi thrive for generations to come.

About the YMCA

The Y is one of the nation's leading nonprofits that strengthens communities through the impact areas of Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. Every day, the Ys work side‑by‑side with their neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

About the AL‑MS Alliance of YMCAs

The AL‑MS Alliance of YMCAs unites 22 YMCA Associations—15 in Alabama and 7 in Mississippi—to strengthen communities and advance the Y's mission of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Together, we speak with one voice to build capacity, foster collaboration, and create a strong statewide presence. The Alliance provides consultation and support in strategic planning, board governance, executive transition, collaborations, and risk mitigation. We also advocate for public policy priorities, develop statewide initiatives, and secure resources to address pressing community needs such as chronic disease prevention, child safety, and education. Guided by the Y's core values—caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility—we work to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. No one is turned away due to inability to pay, and we strive to eliminate barriers so all people can access life‑changing programs and services.

Current Key Strategic Priorities

• Advance Mission Impact Across Ys
• Strengthen organizational capacity through effective board leadership, executive development, and operational excellence.
• Develop and Empower Leaders
• Build a strong leadership pipeline through staff development, training programs, and peer learning networks.
• Ensure Safety and Operational Standards
• Champion child safety, aquatic safety, and compliance to uphold trust and deliver high‑quality experiences.
• Drive Strategic Planning and Innovation
• Guide Ys in long‑term planning, strategic interventions, and alignment with the Thriving Y framework to foster growth and sustainability.
• Lead Advocacy and Public Policy
• Influence state and national policy to advance the Y's mission and amplify community impact.

Community Impact Highlights

The AL‑MS Alliance of YMCAs strengthens communities through collaborative programs and services that make a measurable difference across both states. Community impact can be seen here: https://ymcaalms.org/

The Alliance Provides Consulting Services to YMCAs

• Strategic planning and board development guidance
• Advocacy and legislative priorities
• Statewide program initiatives for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility
• Building organizational capacity and peer‑to‑peer learning
• Securing public and private funding opportunities

Alliance Staff

CEO & Executive Director

Training Champion

Alliance Board of Directors

Number of Governing Board Members: 7

Task Forces

CEO Summit Task Force

Committees

Public Policy Committee

Financial

Current Annual Budget Size: $285,000

Information Sites

Alliance Website

YMCA of the USA

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of 5‑7 years of experience leading in a multi‑site or complex organizational setting
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, relationship management, and advocacy.
• Proven track record of successful advocacy and public policy work, including experience working with lobbyists, lawmakers, and government agencies.
• Experience leading multi‑stakeholder collaborations, coalitions, or statewide initiatives, ideally across multiple nonprofit or public sectors. Experience working with boards of directors and leading cross‑functional or volunteer teams.
• Ability to build trust and rapport across geographies, organizations, and communities.
• Skilled in storytelling and brand advocacy, with a demonstrated ability to elevate the visibility of an organization's impact.
• Knowledge of the YMCA movement and its mission, values, and strategic priorities.

Essential Functions

Key Skills and Abilities of Our Next CEO:

• Develop and Implement a Strategic Plan: Work effectively with CEOs, and key Alliance staff, to create and develop a strategic plan that addresses the needs of the Ys in the Alliance and includes defined organizational strategies, a clear implementation plan with deliverables, and measurable goals. Key competencies: Change Leadership, Communication & Influence, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Program/Project Management
• Elevate and Advance the Alliance's Advocacy Efforts: Work in partnership with all Ys in the Alliance on critical state, regional and federal issues. Work with the Alliance Board Members to advance statewide and federal legislative priorities. Create and disseminate annually a community benefit document to key stakeholders and elected officials that highlight stories, statistics, and funding that communicates the true value of local Ys community benefit as well as collectively as an Alliance. The Alliance identifies and advocates for public policies that address critical social issues in the Y's areas of impact while also activating community leaders, policy makers, influencers, and the public to foster dialogue and catalyze positive change. Conducts advocacy events and training opportunities for Y leaders that raise the visibility of Ys in the Alliance as valued resources to respective state partners and groups in the Y's areas of impact. Manage contract lobbyists (if applicable) to set and meet the contract's deliverables. Key competencies: Change Leadership, Communication and Influence, Collaboration
• Position the Alliance as a Vital Partner: Serve as an ambassador for the mission, purpose, and vision for the Alliance. Possess the ability to develop and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, while always upholding the highest standards and values of the Y and the Alliance. Ensure the Alliance is seen as one of the leading nonprofits committed to strengthening community by connecting elected officials and community stakeholders to the Alliance, and each other. Serve to educate and inform Board Members who are the key stakeholders so they can advocate as a collective unit. Key competencies: Communication & Influence, Engaging Community, Collaboration
• Steward State and Federal Funding Efforts: Identify and determine potential statewide and or federal funding opportunities that support the Alliance's strategic plan and the work of Y's collectively in the Alliance. Key competencies: Critical Thinking and Decision‑Making, Engaging Community, Communication & Influence
• Fiscal Leadership: Manage the Alliance's financial resources by using high‑level analysis focusing on budget and forecast trends, growth, and overall Alliance sustainability. Consistently lead the Alliance to balance or surplus operations. Grow earned revenue and grant funding from various sources (local Ys, Y-USA, state, federal, foundation, etc.) that further the work and impact of the Alliance and its YMCAs. Ensure that all funding is executed and accurately reported to the Alliance Board and funders. Key competencies: Fiscal Management, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, and Developing Self & Others
• Be a Strategic Partner: Demonstrate competence through discovery, knowledge of the work, and the ability to translate organizational needs of Ys into strategic work. Ability to access those accountable for achieving results; build and ensure credibility with Y leaders (CEOs, colleagues, other Alliance Leads, YUSA staff); build trust for delivering results, work with integrity, and support the Y's values. Key competencies: Developing Self and Others, Critical Thinking and Decision‑Making, Change Leadership, Communication and Influence, Collaboration, Emotional Maturity, Project Management
• Be Seen as a Collaborator: Create sustainable relationships within the Alliance, Y Movement, Y-USA, and with other stakeholder organizations in service to the Alliance, the Ys, and the communities the Y serves which could include state agencies, legislative representatives and staff, membership organizations and other stakeholders as identified. Makes collaboration an organizational priority. Positions the Alliance as a convener and collaborator to address critical social, strategic, and operational issues identified by Ys. Executes strategic alliances with other Alliances, Y-USA, and statewide partners to benefit the communities that Ys serve. Key competencies: Developing Self & Others, Emotional Maturity, Change Leadership, Functional Expertise

The board believes its new CEO should be an experienced leader who has the background and qualities that will permit him or her to achieve excellence in the following roles:

Lead and Inspire the Alliance

• Provide strategic leadership and day‑to‑day management for the Alliance.
• Develop and monitor a long‑range strategy advancing the mission of the YMCA movement in Alabama and Mississippi.
• Build a culture of collaboration and innovation among local Ys and statewide leaders.
• Ensure sound fiscal management and effective stewardship of Alliance resources.
• Recruit, supervise, and support Alliance staff, contractors, and consultants as needed.

Advance Advocacy and Public Policy

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive state and federal advocacy agenda.
• Serve as the primary representative for the Alliance to public officials, coalitions, and partners.
• Coordinate efforts of state lobbyists and policy committee to advance legislative priorities.
• Promote the shared community benefit and impact of Ys across both states through storytelling and data.

Strengthening Local YMCAs

• Provide resources, training, and peer‑learning opportunities that enhance local association capacity.
• Support Strategic planning, board governance, and organizational health across the network.
• Identify opportunities for shared services, management agreements, and collaborative initiatives.
• Serve as the primary representative for the Alliance to public officials, coalitions, and partners.
• Facilitate leadership development and CEO onboarding across Alabama and Mississippi.

Build Partnerships and Steward Resources

• Cultivate relationships with funders, Y-USA, civic partners, and like‑minded organizations.
• Secure and manage funding opportunities that strengthen Alliance capacity and advance member priorities.
• Represent the Alliance at Y-USA events, regional gatherings and state or federal meetings.

Salary Range

$120,000 – $160,000 annually

Benefits

• YMCA Retirement (12% percent paid by the Alliance) contribution once eligibility is met
• YMCA 403B savings account
• Health, dental, disability insurance plans
• Other benefits per personnel policy

Residency Expectation

The successful candidate will establish residency in either Alabama or Mississippi within a reasonable time after hire.

Search Process Target Dates

• Resumes accepted through February 13th, 2026
• Preliminary interviews scheduled: March 17th, 2026
• In‑person interviews: April 14th and April 15th, 2026
• New CEO on board June 1st, 2026

References, Background Check, Employment Verification and Organizational Leader Certification

Candidates must submit (pdf format only) the following in their online application: a resume, cover letter. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.

Candidates who advance to final interviews will need to submit six references (four professional and two personal). References checked only with prior notification. A successful candidate accepting the offer must pass a background check, provide valid identification for employment eligibility verification, possess a valid driver's license, a clean driving record and access to reliable transportation. Candidate must have a current Y-USA's Organizational Leader Certification or obtain certification within the first three years from start date as the CEO. The YMCA of the Triangle's personnel policies may require further screening.

Apply

Candidates must apply via the following website: https://tinyurl.com/AL-MS-alliance-of-ymcas-ceo

Questions

Contact Shea Boschee, CEO Search Consultant, YMCA of the USA, [email protected]