YMCA Oahu - Chief Operating Officer

Inkinen Executive Search; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

The YMCA of Honolulu seeks a seasoned Chief Operating Officer to guide enterprise-wide operations across nine locations, about 1,000 staff, and a diverse portfolio of programs, aligning work with the Y’s mission of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

The COO will standardize branch operations, improve member experience, strengthen risk management and financial reporting, and identify sustainable revenue opportunities.

Job description

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The YMCA is one of the nation’s largest and most trusted nonprofit movements, advancing youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility in 2,650 YMCAs serving 10,000 communities across the United States. Guided by the mission “to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all,” the Y engages millions of youth and adults annually and is anchored by core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Established in 1869, the YMCA of Honolulu has grown alongside our community to become one of Hawaii’s largest nonprofit organizations, delivering hundreds of programs for keiki, teens, families, and kpuna that strengthen belonging, wellbeing, and resilience. The YMCA of Honolulu operates ten strategically located branches across Oahu, including the Altherton Y, Camp H.R. Erdman Y, Central Y Residences, Kaimuki-Waialae Y, Kalihi Y, Leeward Y, Mililani West Oahu Y, Nuuanu Y, Waianae Coast Y, and Windward Y. In addition, the YMCA manages childcare and afterschool programs in 59 locations through partnerships with local organizations. The Association’s work reflects local needs and values and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors partnering with professional staff to deliver impact across Oahu.

The YMCA of Honolulu’s historic Nuuanu Branch, long a cornerstone of the Pali corridor, is entering an exciting new chapter, reimagined to serve the evolving needs of the community for generations to come. Driven by transformational support, including a $5 million leadership gift from The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation and a $3 million contribution from the David C. Ai Charitable Trust, early plans envision a dynamic, multi-story facility that integrates affordable housing, modern health and wellness spaces, early learning, and intergenerational programming. Designed to foster partnerships and deepen community impact, the reimagined Nuuanu Y will extend its reach far beyond its walls. While planning and community engagement continue to move forward, Nuuanu Y remains open and active, continuing to serve members with the spirit and values that have defined the Y for decades.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The YMCA of Honolulu is at a pivotal point in its evolution, presenting an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned operational executive to help shape the organization’s next chapter. With nine locations, approximately 1,000 full- and part-time employees, and a diverse portfolio of programs serving communities across Oahu, the Y has developed into a multifaceted organization with increasing operational complexity and a growing need for enterprise-wide alignment. As it enters the first year of a new strategic plan centered on youth, kpuna, mental health, and organizational strength, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) will play a critical role in shaping how the organization evolves to meet its future needs. Working in close partnership with the President & CEO and senior leadership team, the COO will help translate strategic priorities into organizational results, strengthen enterprise-wide effectiveness, and build the operational capacity needed to advance the Y’s mission.

The COO will lead efforts to bring greater consistency, coordination, and accountability across the Y’s branches, programs, and support functions. Key priorities will include strengthening branch operations and establishing shared operational standards, performance expectations, systems, and metrics; elevating the member and customer experience across locations; enhancing risk management, facilities, and organizational infrastructure; and improving financial, programmatic, and resource reporting to support informed decision-making. The COO will also focus on strengthening the organization’s financial sustainability through alternative revenue opportunities and a deeper understanding of the cost of service across its programs and operations. Strong financial and operational stewardship will be essential, with an emphasis on balancing efficiency, revenue generation, community needs, and mission impact.

This is an enterprise leadership role that extends well beyond the oversight of individual branches or programs. The successful COO will bring a strategic, organization-wide perspective, understanding how the Y’s various operations, programs, and resources intersect and identify opportunities to strengthen performance, alignment, and long‑term effectiveness. Equally important will be a collaborative, visible, and relationship-driven leadership style grounded in respect for the work already being done while having a vision to elevate how it moves forward. The COO must take the time to listen, understand the organization’s culture, build relationships, and appreciate the unique values and communities of Hawaii before pursuing meaningful change. This individual should be operationally sound and capable of driving accountability and improving performance without creating unnecessary disruption. Strong listening skills, humility, sound judgment, and the ability to lead through influence will be critical, as will a commitment to mentoring and developing emerging leaders. The COO must be equally comfortable engaging at the strategic level and working through operational complexities while bringing people together around common goals.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic, team‑oriented executive who brings an enterprise-wide perspective, demonstrated success leading complex, multi‑site or multi‑program organizations of similar or greater scale, and strong financial, operational, and organizational acumen. Experience within the YMCA movement would be a significant asset. A strong personal and professional connection to the Y’s mission, values, and operating model will be important to establishing credibility and leading effectively. Experience in revenue generation, program economics, cost‑of‑service analysis, risk management, and developing organizational talent will also be valuable. Above all, the strongest candidates will pair enterprise‑level perspective with a grounded, approachable leadership style and a deep commitment to strengthening the YMCA of Honolulu’s organizational effectiveness, financial sustainability, leadership capacity, and mission impact across the communities it serves.