Community Health Director

YMCA of the USA; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Whatcom Family Y in Washington state is seeking a Community Health Director to strengthen community health, aging adults, chronic disease prevention, and behavior change programs. You will lead evidence-based health initiatives and build strong partnerships with healthcare providers and employers to broaden access to healthy living.

The role includes mentoring staff, managing budgets, tracking outcomes, and advancing health equity across programs and services, ensuring a connected and

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in community health, health promotion, wellness, chronic disease prevention, behavior change, or related field with leadership.
• Two years or more of supervisory or team leadership experience with staff or volunteers.
• Experience facilitating or supporting behavior change, health coaching, or other evidence-based health programs preferred.
• Ability to build effective community partnerships with health care providers, employers, public agencies, nonprofits, and stakeholders.
• Ability to use program data and health outcomes to evaluate effectiveness and guide improvement.
• Working knowledge of fitness and wellness services, including group ex and wellness center operations.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills; able to engage diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, partnerships, and priorities with follow-through.
• Commitment to health equity, inclusion, and ADA compliance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and grow community health programs focused on active aging, chronic disease prevention and management, and healthy behavior change.
• Develop and evaluate evidence-based programs that help participants achieve meaningful health improvements.
• Identify new opportunities to address community health needs and improve access to healthy living.
• Develop partnerships with healthcare providers, employers, senior-serving organizations, and community partners.
• Lead corporate wellness initiatives that support healthier workplaces with programs, education, and events.
• Represent the Y at community health fairs, workshops, screenings, and outreach events.
• Recruit, train, coach, and develop staff and volunteers who share a passion for community health.
• Foster a welcoming, collaborative environment for staff and participants.
• Collaborate with group exercise and Wellness Center teams to ensure a connected, positive experience for members.
• Manage program budgets, resources, and schedules for quality and sustainability.
• Track participation, outcomes, and community impact to drive program improvement.
• Collaborate across Y departments to connect members with relevant programs.
• Support grant-funded initiatives, fundraising, and partnerships to expand impact.

Skills

Communication skills

Facilitation

Relationship building

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Health

Job description

Are you passionate about helping people live healthier, more connected lives? Do you enjoy building partnerships, developing innovative programs, and inspiring others to make lasting lifestyle changes? If so, the Whatcom Family Y is looking for a Community Health Director to help strengthen the health and well-being of our community!

At the Y, we believe healthy living is about more than physical fitness. It's about creating opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to thrive. From helping older adults stay active and independent to supporting individuals managing chronic health conditions, our Healthy Living programs make a meaningful difference every day.

The Community Health Director leads the Y's Healthy Living Department with a primary focus on community health, behavior change, aging adults, and chronic disease prevention and management programs. The director provides direct leadership to evidence-based health programs, corporate wellness initiatives, community health partnerships, and outreach activities designed to improve the health and well-being of our community. This position also provides indirect leadership and coordination for group exercise, personal training, small group training, and Wellness Center operations to ensure a connected, high-quality healthy living experience across the Y.

What You'll Do

Lead Programs That Change Lives

Oversee and grow community health programs focused on active aging, chronic disease prevention and management, and healthy behavior change.

Develop and evaluate evidence-based programs that help participants achieve meaningful, lasting health improvements.

Identify new opportunities to address community health needs and make healthy living more accessible.

Build Community Connections

Develop strong partnerships with healthcare providers, employers, senior-serving organizations, and community partners.

Lead corporate wellness initiatives that support healthier workplaces through programs, education, and wellness events.

Represent the Y at community health fairs, workshops, screenings, and outreach events.

Inspire and Support a Great Team

Recruit, train, coach, and develop staff and volunteers who share your passion for community health.

Foster a welcoming, collaborative environment where staff and participants feel supported and valued.

Collaborate with our group exercise, personal training, and Wellness Center teams to create a connected and positive experience for Y members.

Drive Growth and Impact

Manage program budgets, resources, and schedules to support quality and sustainability.

Track participation, outcomes, and community impact to continuously improve programs.

Collaborate across Y departments to connect members and community participants with programs that meet their needs.

Support grant-funded initiatives, fundraising efforts, and partnerships that expand the Y's impact.

Our Commitment to Equity and Inclusion

At the Y, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. We are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where people of all backgrounds, identities, ages, and abilities feel valued and supported. Our work focuses on removing barriers, reducing health disparities, and building a stronger, healthier community for all.

We're looking for a collaborative, relationship-focused leader who is excited about improving community health and creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in community health, health promotion, wellness, chronic disease prevention, behavior change, or a related field, with demonstrated program leadership experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Health Promotion, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Community Health, Recreation, or a related field preferred; equivalent education and experience will be considered.
• Two years or more of supervisory or team leadership experience, including paid staff and/or volunteers.
• Experience facilitating or supporting behavior change, health coaching, chronic disease prevention or management, or other evidence-based health programs strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective community partnerships and work collaboratively with health care providers, employers, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other community stakeholders.
• Ability to use program data, participant feedback, and health outcomes to evaluate effectiveness, communicate impact, and guide program improvement.
• Working knowledge of fitness and wellness services, including group exercise, personal training, small group training, and wellness center operations.
• Strong communication, facilitation, relationship-building, and organizational skills; ability to communicate effectively with participants, staff, partners, and community audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, partnerships, and program priorities effectively while maintaining a high level of follow-through.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community, with a commitment to health equity, inclusion, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions, demonstrate or support program activities as appropriate, and safely work in a variety of YMCA and community settings.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.
• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.