Chief Operating Officer

Crossroads YMCA; Crown Point (IN); On-site; USD 203,000 - 248,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental & Vision

Life & Disability Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement 12% match

YMCA Membership

Program Discounts

Job summary

Crossroads YMCA in Northwest Indiana seeks a Chief Operating Officer to provide strategic and operational leadership across the organization, overseeing multiple branches, executives, financial performance, and the delivery of high-quality programs and services.

The COO must translate strategy into measurable results while fostering accountability, collaboration, innovation, and exceptional member experiences.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of senior executive leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading large teams and multi-site operations.
• Strong financial management, budgeting, and operational oversight.
• Proven ability to develop executive leaders and high-performing teams.
• Experience in nonprofit organizations, YMCA operations, or mission-driven environments.
• Strategic planning, change management, and growth initiatives.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Build strong leaders by coaching and holding executive and branch leaders accountable.
• Drive operational excellence across multiple locations with consistent expectations.
• Oversee financial performance, budgeting, and resource management.
• Elevate member experiences through hospitality and high-quality programs.
• Lead organizational growth via strategic initiatives and partnerships.
• Foster collaboration and accountability across branches and departments.
• Engage with board members, donors, volunteers, and community partners.
• Travel frequently between YMCA locations across Northwest Indiana.

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Crossroads Metro Office - Crown Point, IN 46307, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: 4 Year Degree, Job Category: Executive, Role starts at $225,000. Final compensation will reflect experience and qualifications.

Lead Change. Transform Lives. Be Our Next COO!

Join the Crossroads YMCA in Northwest Indiana, where we impact over 140,000 lives annually, empowering individuals, strengthening families, and uplifting entire communities.

About the Role

The Chief Operating Officer provides strategic and operational leadership across our organization, overseeing multiple branches, executive leaders, financial performance, and the delivery of high-quality programs and services. This position plays a critical role in translating organizational strategy into measurable results while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and exceptional member experiences. The COO must be equally comfortable developing long-term strategies, making difficult decisions, coaching leaders, and addressing day-to-day operational challenges. Success requires a leader who can see the big picture without losing sight of the people, relationships, and details that make our mission possible.

What Success Looks Like

As COO, your impact will be reflected in the strength of our leaders, the performance of our operations, and the communities we serve.

You will:

• Build strong leaders: Develop, coach, and hold executive and branch leaders accountable for achieving organizational goals.
• Drive operational excellence: Establish consistent expectations, improve efficiencies, and strengthen performance across multiple locations.
• Ensure financial sustainability: Oversee financial performance, manage resources responsibly, and identify opportunities for revenue growth.
• Elevate the member experience: Champion a culture of hospitality, engagement, and high-quality programs and services.
• Lead organizational growth: Identify opportunities for innovation, expansion, and strategic partnerships that advance our mission.
• Strengthen organizational culture: Foster collaboration, communication, and shared accountability across branches and departments.
• Build meaningful relationships: Engage with board members, donors, volunteers, and community partners to strengthen the YMCA's presence and impact.

This Role Is a Great Fit for You If...

• You lead through people. You know how to develop high-performing teams, build trust, and create accountability without losing the human side of leadership.
• You think strategically and act decisively. You can turn big-picture goals into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
• You're financially minded and mission-driven. You understand that financial sustainability and community impact are equally important to organizational success.
• You thrive in complex environments. Managing multiple locations, competing priorities, and diverse teams energizes rather than overwhelms you.
• You're comfortable making tough decisions. You approach challenges with confidence, sound judgement, and a willingness to have difficult conversations.
• You embrace change. You see opportunities where others see obstacles and can guide teams through growth, innovation, and uncertainty.
• You believe leadership requires visibility. You enjoy being present, building relationships, and connecting with staff, volunteers, and community stakeholders.

This Role May Not Be the Best Fit If...

• You prefer focusing on one department or area of expertise rather than overseeing broad, multi-site operations.
• You only enjoy developing strategy but prefer others to manage execution, follow-through, and accountability.
• You are uncomfortable addressing performance concerns, making difficult decisions, or navigating competing priorities.
• You prefer predictable routines and clearly defined responsibilities over a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• You prefer working primarily behind the scenes rather than maintaining a visible presence across branches and in the community.
• You are looking for a position with limited financial oversight, travel, or occasional evening and weekend commitments.

What You Can Expect

• A collaborative, relationship-driven leadership environment where your voice and decisions matter.
• The opportunity to shape organizational strategy and influence the future of Crossroads YMCA.
• Direct involvement in executive leadership development, operational performance, and organizational growth.
• A dynamic environment that requires balancing long-term priorities with immediate operational needs.
• Frequent collaboration with the CEO, executive leaders, branch teams, board members, and community stakeholders.
• Regular travel between YMCA locations throughout Northwest Indiana.
• Occasional evening and weekend commitments to support organizational and community activities.

What's Rewarding

• Shape the future of an organization that touches more than 140,000 lives annually.
• Develop leaders who will influence the YMCA and the communities we serve for years to come.
• Create meaningful improvements in programs, services, and member experiences.
• Help ensure that individuals and families throughout Northwest Indiana continue to have access to opportunities that strengthen their well-being.
• See the direct connection between strong organizational performance and positive community outcomes.

What's Challenging

• Balancing financial sustainability with the evolving needs of the communities we serve.
• Creating consistency and accountability across multiple branches, departments, and leadership teams.
• Making difficult decisions that may involve competing organizational priorities.
• Leading through change while maintaining employee engagement and organizational culture.
• Managing the expectations of multiple stakeholders while keeping the YMCA's mission at the center of decisions.

Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ years of senior executive leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading large teams and complex, multi-site operations.
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, financial analysis, and operational performance oversight.
• Proven ability to develop executive leaders and build high-performing teams.
• Experience leading organizational growth, change management, and strategic initiatives.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience in nonprofit organizations, YMCA operations, healthcare, education, community services, or other mission-driven environments.

Preferred qualifications:

• Previous YMCA leadership experience.
• Master's degree in business administration, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Experience overseeing organizational budgets of $20 million or more.

Our Benefits

• Medical Insurance: Access to United Health Care medical coverage.
• Dental & Vision: Complimentary employee dental and vision coverage.
• Life & Disability Insurance: Employer-provided life insurance and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid Time Off: A generous PTO package to support rest, personal time, and work-life balance.
• Retirement: A 12% employer contribution to retirement savings, subject to plan eligibility requirements.
• YMCA Membership: Complimentary family membership.
• Program Discounts: 50% off most YMCA programs for eligible employees.

Our Mission

The YMCA is a leading nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

At Crossroads YMCA, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Through our programs, services, and partnerships, we work to create a stronger, healthier, and more connected Northwest Indiana.