Association Senior Director, Youth & Family

Lansing YMCA; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The YMCA of Greater Charlotte seeks the Association Senior Director, Academics to lead childcare, enrichment, family, and academic programming, and to develop strategies that improve program quality, outcomes, and impact while strengthening YMCA memberships.

This role requires strong collaboration, project management, community engagement, and the ability to build partnerships with schools and community organizations, plus experience guiding budgets and fundraising to sustain programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of program development and management experience.
• Proven leadership with staff development and multi-faceted programs.
• Experience designing youth/family programs incl. literacy or academics.
• Strong strategic thinking and project management with deadlines.
• Data collection/analysis to inform decisions and show impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead and innovate childcare, enrichment, family, and academic programming.
• Develop and execute strategies to improve quality and outcomes.
• Oversee programs and partnerships across the association.
• Collaborate with schools, community organizations, and local leaders.
• Manage budgets and support fundraising to sustain programs.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Data analysis

Communication

Partnership development

Budgeting & fundraising support

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

The Association Senior Director, Academics will lead and innovate the organization’s childcare, enrichment, family, and academic programming initiatives. This position is responsible for developing and executing strategies to improve program quality, increase academic outcomes and program impact, and enhance the value of YMCA family memberships. With a focus on collaboration, project management, and community engagement, the Senior Director will oversee programs and initiatives to strengthen youth development, family connections, and community partnerships across the association.

Culture Statement:

The culture of the Y is rooted in our Christian mission and core principles. We strive every day to collectively embody our purpose to love, serve and transform lives. Every day we show up to Lead with Love and Serve with Purpose. We Love unconditionally – showing genuine care and concern for everyone, making each interaction meaningful and personal and ensuring every person feels valued, seen and welcomed. We elevate Hope – promoting optimism by offering encouragement and practical solutions to challenges. We act with Care & Compassion – listening attentively without judgment, responding with empathy, and creating a sense of belonging by uplifting and supporting those around us. We demonstrate Generosity – sharing our time, skills, and resources freely and with joy. We walk in Grace – showing patience and kindness, even in difficult moments. We ignite Faith – staying grounded in our mission, principles and purpose, inspiring others to trust in what is possible.

Demonstrating consistency in our actions, helping others see how their efforts align with a greater purpose. We treasure Honesty – communicating openly and truthfully, admitting mistakes when they occur, and honoring commitments. We honor Humility – leading with a servant's heart by prioritizing the needs of others above our own. We live with Joy – celebrating small and big wins alike, inspiring connection and shared joy. We offer Respect – addressing everyone by name and honoring diverse perspectives and backgrounds. We value Responsibility – performing every task timely with diligence and excellence and holding ourselves accountable by openly evaluating our performance. We engage in Service – going above and beyond in serving others by anticipating needs and delivering exceptional experiences.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree ee in Education, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in program development and management, preferably in youth development, education, or nonprofit organizations.
• Proven leadership skills, with experience managing teams, developing staff, and overseeing multifaceted programs.
• Expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating impactful youth and family programs, including literacy or academic initiatives.
• Strong strategic thinking and project management abilities, with a track record of achieving program goals and meeting deadlines.
• Proficiency in data collection and analysis to inform decisions, enhance program quality, and demonstrate impact.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to engage families, staff, and community partners effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships with schools, community organizations, and local leaders.
• Experience managing budgets and supporting fundraising efforts to sustain and grow programs.
• Commitment to the YMCA mission of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, with flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

All YMCA team members are expected to maintain a current and active status for all safety, risk, and programming certifications defined by the YMCA of Greater Charlotte.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred in Education, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or a related field required.

Working Conditions

• Environment: Primarily indoor setting at YMCA centers and school facilities, with occasional outdoor activities, community events, and work at other non-YMCA locations.
• Travel: Will require frequent travel to multiple locations in personal vehicle.
• Physical Demands: Requires standing, walking, and facilitating activities for extended periods; occasional lifting of program materials (up to 25 lbs.).
• Schedule: Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, based on program schedules.
• Interaction: Frequent engagement with participants, parents, staff, volunteers, and community partners in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Safety: Must adhere to YMCA safety protocols and be prepared to respond to emergency situations as needed.