Chief Operating Officer at YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago

Lead with Purpose. Operate with Impact. YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is now hiring a Chief Operating Officer!

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s executive leadership team, responsible for providing strategic direction, operational oversight, and organizational leadership across all branches, programs, facilities, and real estate assets. The COO ensures that the YMCA’s mission—strengthening community by connecting all people to their purpose, potential, and each other—is advanced through excellent member experiences, innovative programming, efficient operations, strong financial management, and effective stewardship of the Y’s property and real estate portfolio.

The COO partners closely with the CEO, Board of Managers, and senior leadership team to position the YMCA as a leading force in youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility across Chicagoland.

Pay for this position is $250,000-$275,000 per year with full-time benefits 

Scope of Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Lead day-to-day operations of the YMCA’s Hubs, stand-alone centers, and program sites, ensuring excellence in service delivery, compliance, safety, and member experience.
• Develop and execute strategies to grow membership, expand program impact, optimize Hub utilization, and strengthen the Y’s role in communities across the region.
• Drive process reengineering and operational optimization initiatives to streamline systems, eliminate redundancies, improve service delivery, and maximize efficiency across branches, programs, and facilities.
• Partner with the CEO in organizational planning, capital development, major real estate projects, and enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Advance innovation in programs including but not limited to child and youth development, family and community engagement, wellness, aquatics, early learning, camps, and enrichment.

Property & Real Estate Services

• Provide executive oversight of property services, real estate management, and facilities operations across the YMCA’s portfolio.
• Ensure effective asset management, long-term capital planning, and maintenance of facilities to preserve the Y’s real estate value and functionality.
• Oversee acquisition, development, leasing, and disposition of properties, aligning real estate strategies with organizational growth and community impact.
• Collaborate with the CFO and external partners to evaluate real estate investments, negotiate contracts, and ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and risk management standards.
• Promote sustainable practices and environmental stewardship in property management.

Program & Service Excellence

• Ensure consistency, quality, and measurable impact of programs across all Hubs.
• Oversee implementation of performance metrics, data-driven decision-making, and continuous quality improvement (CQI) systems.
• Champion equity, access, and inclusion across all program and community engagement efforts.

People & Culture Leadership

• Provide leadership and mentorship to senior operations staff, Hub leadership, and program leadership.
• Foster a mission-driven, collaborative culture that values accountability, staff engagement, and professional development.
• Build a culture of safety, compliance, and excellence in customer service.

Financial & Resource Management

• Partner with the CFO to ensure operational and financial health of branches, programs, facilities, and real estate holdings.
• Implement cost-containment and efficiency strategies through operational optimization and process improvements that enhance sustainability.
• Contribute to fundraising and partnership development to secure resources for programs, capital projects, and community initiatives.

Minimum and Preferred Requirements:

• Minimum of 10+ years of progressively responsible leadership in complex nonprofit, community-based, mission-driven, or real estate-intensive organizations; YMCA or similar multi-site experience strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated success in managing operations, large-scale budgets, real estate portfolios, and diverse teams.

• Proven ability to lead process reengineering, facilities optimization, and systems improvements that drive measurable performance.

• Strong background in youth development, membership strategy, health and wellness, community programming, or property/real estate management.

• Record of building partnerships with civic, business, philanthropic, and community leaders.

• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness.

• Exceptional communication, negotiation, change management, and leadership skills.

• Master’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, real estate, or related field preferred.

Competencies

• Strategic Leadership and Vision
• Real Estate & Property Management Expertise
• Process Reengineering and Operations Optimization
• Operational and Financial Acumen
• Talent Development and Team Building
• Community Engagement and Advocacy
• Innovation and Growth Mindset
• Commitment to Equity and Social Responsibility

Child Abuse Prevention - Supports the YMCA’s commitment to child abuse prevention by:

• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor
• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children
• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor
• Completing all child abuse prevention training as required