Ok-Ar-La Alliance Partner - President/Chief Executive Officer

EXECUTIVE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
YMCA Regional Cohort - OK/AR/LA Alliance
Position:President/Chief Executive Officer
Office Location: Oklahoma, Arkansas or Louisiana, strong preference for location in Oklahoma
The Opportunity
The OK/AR/LA Regional Cohort is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven leader to serve alongside a powerful network of diverse CEOs leading 18 YMCA Associations serving from three states that make up the Alliance, improving the quality of life for dozens of communities and welcoming over 400,000 constituents each year. This ideal candidate will connect these YMCAs to each other and to resources that build organizational capacity to strengthen local communities, carry out the Y mission and cause, speak with a unified voice and establish a strong statewide and regional presence to enhance our collective impact.
The CEO is responsible for the effective execution of Y-USA key deliverables per agreement with Y-USA including building the organizational capacity of individual YMCAs; building strong networks to provide opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and support; developing Alliance infrastructure; forming collaborations to advance the strategic goals of the Alliance; advocating and advancing the Alliance's legislative priorities. Strategic priorities for the OK/AR/LA Alliance are under development with the completion of a strategic plan including food security programs, out-of-school time, Safety Around Water, support for foster families and Youth and Government. In addition, our leader will have the opportunity to help the Oklahoma YMCAs manage $24.5 million in ARPA funds to enhance the statewide infrastructure for childcare and food security.
Essential Functions
Alliance Operations:

• Ensures the Alliance has a long-range strategy that achieves its mission, and toward which it makes consistent and timely progress.
• Promotes active and broad staff and volunteer participation in Alliance work through local YMCAs.
• Identifies and coordinates strategic state-wide and region-wide initiatives that support and advance the objectives of the Alliance strategic plan and the Y National Movement.
• Provides support to Alliance YMCAs through strategic planning and board development guidance.
• Identifies and secures public and private funding opportunities that support Alliance and/or YMCA Association goals (i.e. chronic disease prevention, education funding, childhood obesity, childcare, summer camp, child safety, safety around water, etc.) and either pursues or refers funding opportunities to local Ys as appropriate.
• Recruits, trains, and supervises all Alliance personnel (Alliance staff, Volunteers and Interns).
• Develops and maintains a budget, operating within the budget guidelines and reports to the OK/AR/LA Board on the same.
• Works closely with the Board of the OK/AR/LA Alliance and staff to ensure that all state and federal requirements are met, documents are properly filed, policies and procedures are in place and reviewed annually.
• Identifies struggling associations in need of intervention support, and initiates follow up action.
• Plans and administers key conferences for the Alliance, including CEO meetings, State Advocacy Day and Leadership Conference.
• Facilitates the building of organizational capacity of all three state's Ys and provides opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and support.
• Works with the OK/AR/LA Board and staff in the effective execution of key deliverables for the Alliance.
• Aligns Alliance work with that of Y-USA both programmatically and legislatively.

Alliance Communications:

• Conducts official correspondence of the Alliance and executes legal documents jointly with designated officers of the OK/AR/LA Board of Directors.
• Creates and delivers a plan for sharing statewide and regional community benefit of all Y Associations in the Alliance; implementing targeted communications to advance advocacy and proactive communications of Alliance activities and events.
• Develops and implements an internal and external communications plan that includes applicable, up-to-date communications tools and channels.
• Engages with YMCAs on effective crisis communications and response to internal and external events that warrant immediate, thoughtful and strategic responses.
• Manages Alliance marketing and public relations.
• Engages in open sharing of information, best practices, opportunities and challenges with other state alliances and YMCA of the USA.

Collaborations:

• Convenes Y leaders to facilitate the development of statewide and regional program initiatives that allow for impactful change in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
• Builds relationships, forms partnerships and joins key coalitions to position the YMCAs of the OK/AR/LA Alliance as leading nonprofits and legislative advocates.
• Identifies and facilitates management agreements, shared service and merger discussions.
• Serves on statewide task forces, coalitions or committees as agreed upon with the OK/AR/LA Board of Directors and works to get YMCA staff and volunteers assigned to such.
• Hosts statewide and regional events and engages Alliance member YMCAs in common program initiatives to raise the profile of the Alliance Ys and to generate statewide/regional impacts that are measured and clearly and consistently communicated.

Advocacy:

• Builds the capacity of Y staff and volunteers to develop relationships with public officials and members of the community.
• Actively advocates on behalf of the OK/AR/LA YMCAs.
• Actively engages YMCA advocates in supporting public policy priorities/legislative agenda, and engages staff and volunteers in Alliance legislative activities through trainings, meetings, calls, etc.
• Develops annual legislative agenda with input from State selected lobbyist partners. Hosts/supports annual advocacy events for federal and state lawmakers.
• Facilitates subject matter experts among Y CEOs, staff and volunteers to respond to statewide and regional issues or serve on agency task forces that have direct effect on the Y's mission.

Miscellaneous:

• Consistently communicates with and visits member YMCAs and represents the Alliance at Y events, as appropriate.

Key Deliverables:

• Develop, Implement and Lead Alliance Strategic Plan: Work effectively with CEOs, and key Alliance staff, to create and develop a strategic plan that addresses the needs of the Ys in the Alliance and includes defined organizational strategies, a clear implementation plan with deliverables, and measurable goals. Key competencies: Change Leadership, Communication & Influence, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Program/Project Management.P
• Position the Alliance as a Vital Partner for Community and Statewide Change: Serve as an ambassador for the mission, purpose, and vision for the Alliance. Possess the ability to develop and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, while always upholding the highest standards and values of the Y and the Alliance. Ensure the Alliance is seen as one of the leading nonprofits committed to strengthening community by connecting elected officials and community stakeholders to the Alliance, and each other. Serve to educate and inform Board Members who are the key stakeholders so they can advocate as a collective unit. Key competencies: Communication & Influence, Engaging Community, Collaboration.
• Elevate and Advance the Alliance's Advocacy Efforts: Work in partnership with all Ys in the Alliance on critical state, regional and federal issues. Work with the Alliance Board Members to advance statewide and federal legislative priorities. Create and disseminate annually a community benefit document to key stakeholders and elected officials that highlights stories, statistics, and funding that communicates the true value of local Ys community benefit as well as collectively as an Alliance. The Alliance identifies and advocates for public policies that address critical social issues in the Y's areas of impact while also activating community leaders, policy makers, influencers, and the public to foster dialogue and catalyze positive change. Conducts advocacy events and training opportunities for Y leaders that raise the visibility of Ys in the Alliance as valued resources to respective state partners and groups in the Y's areas of impact. Manage contract lobbyist (if applicable) to set and meet the contract's deliverables. Key competencies: Change Leadership, Inclusion, Communication and Influence, Collaboration.
• Fiscal Leadership: Manage the Alliance's financial resources by using high-level analysis focusing on budget and forecast trends, growth, and overall Alliance sustainability. Consistently lead the Alliance to balance or surplus operations. Grow earned revenue and grant funding from various sources (local Ys, Y-USA, state, federal, foundation, etc.) that further the work and impact of the Alliance and its YMCAs. Ensure that all funding is executed and accurately reported to the Alliance Board and funders. Key competencies: Fiscal Management, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, and Developing Self & Others.
• Steward State and Federal Funding Efforts: Identify and determine potential statewide and or federal funding opportunities that support the Alliance's strategic plan and the work of Y's collectively in the Alliance. Key competencies: Critical Thinking and Decision-Making, Engaging Community, Communication & Influence.
• Be a Strategic Partner: Demonstrate competence through discovery, knowledge of the work, and the ability to translate organizational needs of Ys into strategic work. Ability to access those accountable for achieving results; build and ensure credibility with Y leaders (CEOs, colleagues, other Alliance Leads, YUSA staff); build trust for delivering results, work with integrity, and support the Y's values. Key competencies: Developing Self and Others, Critical Thinking and Decision-Making, Change Leadership, Inclusion, Communication and Influence, Collaboration, Emotional Maturity, Project Management.
• Make Progress as an Inclusive, Anti-Racist, Multicultural Alliance: Intentionally promote inclusion in all aspects of Alliance work, encourage and support diverse representation in Ys across the Alliance. Lead social change as an Alliance working with Ys through anti-racist policies, words, and actions. Key competencies: Change Leadership, Communication & Influence, Engaging Community, Inclusion.

Salary Range: $100,000 - $135,000
Benefits: This position receives a full benefit package including retirement contribution, paid time off, health insurance plan and other benefits.
Residency and Travel Expectation: Selected individual expected to regularly travel to all OK/AR/LA YMCAs, and to other locations as required and agreed upon. Preference is for the CEO to live in the State of Oklahoma but will consider Arkansas and Louisiana.
Minimum Criteria for Candidates:

1. Accredited 4-year college degree or other relevant experience.
2. Must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills and personal values consistent with the YMCA mission.
3. Minimum five years prior experience in a senior management role with a YMCA or related experience at a comparable organization with direct supervision of multiple levels of staff and employees.
4. Must have the ability to develop and strengthen community relationships. Proven ability to develop and strengthen community and donor relationships.
5. Experience in developing new programs, reviewing and enhancing programs being offered or considered for both economy and the effectiveness in broadening our engagement in the communities in which we serve.

Preferred Criteria for Candidates:

1. YMCA Organizational Leader Certification, or ability to achieve within 3 years.
2. Fiscally sound business management approach.
3. Lobbying/public policy experience.
4. Experience in strategic planning, board management, public policy, government relations and fundraising experience including annual campaigns and the securing of grants.

ABOUT THE YMCA
The Y's Mission: To collaborate and work together on areas of mutual benefit in order to strengthen and enhance our individual YMCAs and the collective strength of OK AR LA YMCAs to better serve the people of these communities.
The Y's Cause: At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, the Y works side by side with its neighbors to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
The Y is one of the nation's leading nonprofits, committed to strengthening communities in the areas of
youth development, healthy living and social responsibility:
Youth Development: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen. The Y believes that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. That's why, through the Y, millions of youth today are taking a greater interest in learning; making smarter life choices; and cultivating the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, the pursuit of higher education and goal achievement.
Healthy Living: Improving the nation's health and well-being. In communities across the nation, the Y is a leading voice on health and well-being. With a mission centered on balance, the Y brings families closer together, encourages good health and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. As a result, millions of youth, adults and families are receiving the support, guidance and resources needed to achieve greater health and well-being for their spirit, mind and body.
Social Responsibility: Giving back and providing support to our neig...