The YMCA of Greater Des Moines provides equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, or other legally protected status.

The Opportunity

The President/CEO will have the opportunity to continue to position the Y as a leading nonprofit partner in the community in the areas of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility and to further strengthen a vision that engages the community, delivers quality programs, fosters member engagement, cultivates staff engagement, and ensures operational results.

Working closely with a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors and a highly capable senior leadership team, the President/CEO will provide direction in the development and implementation of a strategic plan to address the needs of the community, to align the organization’s culture, to right-size the organization’s debt, to return the Y to operational profitability, to expand fundraising and philanthropic support and to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

The President/CEO must bring inspiring, cause-driven and visionary leadership to all areas of the YMCA, providing oversight of the organization’s brand, operations, culture, values, talent and financial performance. This leader serves as an ambassador for the Y’s cause and all that the organization embodies.

Please visit www.dmymca.org for information regarding our Y and our programs.

Our Mission

The mission of the Y is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Our Cause

With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the YMCA of Greater Des Moines is a charitable organization committed to strengthening communities by connecting people to their potential, purpose, and each other. Everything the Y does is in the service of making sure people and communities thrive.

Our Culture

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day.

We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

Position Description

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

The President/CEO sets the strategic direction of the organization; oversees its financial stability, staffing, development, and operations; and positions the Y as a community convener and collaborator to address critical social issues. The President/CEO works under the policies, directives, and guidelines of the board of directors.

The President/CEO must maintain a culture of integrity, high ethical standards, safety and accountability, and reinforce and promote the values of honesty, respect, responsibility, caring and inclusion.

Other websites for information:

Catch Des Moines

City of Des Moines

Greater Des Moines Partnership

City of Waukee

Leadership/Educational Criteria for Candidates:

Candidate Profile:

Professional Qualities and Competencies

Fiscal Management: Use high-level financial analysis to forecast financial trends, growth and stability, while consistently leading the organization to balance or surplus operations by growing earned revenue and contributions and controlling costs. Empower and guide staff leaders to lead their departments to successful financial operation. Develop and implement stewardship strategies. Key competencies: Fiscal Management, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Developing Self & Others, Philanthropy

Develop and Implement a Strategic Plan: Work effectively with volunteers, community leaders, and key staff, to create and develop a strategic plan that addresses the needs of the communities served by the Y 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

Improve Operating Performance: Engage the board and appropriate staff to develop an annual tactical plan for identifying and achieving key goals and objectives towards operating with safe, relevant and sustainable practices. Quickly address issues that may arise, forecast future needs, and manage and direct the Y’s operations and activities. Key competencies: Developing Self & Others, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Innovation

Position the Y as a Vital Partner for Community Change: Serve as an ambassador for the mission, purpose, and vision for the YMCA within the community. 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. Ensure the Y is seen as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose, and each other. Key competencies: Communication & Influence, Engaging Community, Collaboration

Steward Fundraising Efforts: Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan that will establish the YMCA as a leading nonprofit organization within the community through the engagement of members, volunteers, staff, and donors. Identify the need for successful capital fundraising, while taking the organization to a new level of effectiveness and impact in annual giving and endowment. Key competencies: Philanthropy, Engaging Community, Communication

Build and Lead Staff: Ensure a talent development system is in place and executed in an affirming, culturally competent and effective manner. Hire, motivate, nurture, retain, and hold staff accountable for key objectives. Work towards recruiting, retaining, developing and promoting staff that represent the diversity of the community we serve. Encourage the team by creating a spirit of camaraderie, inclusion, and sense of mission and purpose. Create a learning organization to help staff achieve their highest potential. Key competencies: Developing Self & Others, Inclusion, Emotional Maturity, Change Leadership

About the YMCA of Greater Des Moines

For more than 155 years, the YMCA of Greater Des Moines has been serving central Iowa by responding to community needs and providing programs that promote youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y takes pride in connecting people to their purpose, potential and each other as we work together to strengthen the community and create opportunity for all. Partnerships are vital to this work, enabling the Y to leverage its strengths to deliver impactful, results-oriented programming in the dynamic and diverse communities we serve.

The YMCA of Greater Des Moines was founded on January 27, 1868, in downtown Des Moines, and has maintained a continuous presence in the downtown area. By the 1880s, the Y had evolved into a multi-faceted agency, and soon the need for a permanent home was realized. Since the very beginning, the Des Moines community has recognized the Y’s impact and has supported the organization’s efforts generously. In just 10 days, a building fund raised $150,000 and the first new YMCA facility in Des Moines opened in 1912. That building was replaced by the Riverfront YMCA in 1960, and on January 1, 2015, the original YMCA in Des Moines became the Wellmark YMCA and relocated to its current home at 501 Grand Avenue.

For most of its history, the YMCA in Des Moines operated out of a single building. By the late 1900s, branch locations began to open throughout the metro area to provide health and wellness services to more members. Beginning in the early 2000s, the Y embarked on an aggressive growth strategy that saw the completion of six major capital projects during a 10-year period. This development, financed largely through debt, left the Y over-extended both operationally and financially.

By 2018, it was evident that the Y’s financial situation was unsustainable, and plans were put in place to restructure and right-size the organization and reduce long-term debt to a manageable level. Sale/lease back arrangements for two properties helped lower the organization’s debt service. Difficult decisions were made to end partnerships, dissolve 28E operating agreements, close under-performing branches and redirect resources to programs delivering the greatest mission impact.

Just as these restructuring efforts were gaining traction, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the mandated closure of Y fitness facilities for 11 weeks and the loss of 40% of Y members and virtually all program revenue for 2020. Along with completing the financial restructuring, Y leaders were additionally tasked with rebuilding membership and program revenues.

Thanks to the hard work of YMCA staff and Board volunteers, and the faith, support and encouragement of members, donors and community partners, the YMCA of Greater Des Moines has emerged from this period stronger than it has been in many years. While some work remains, long-term debt has been cut by more than 50%, and membership and program revenues have returned to pre-pandemic levels. The Y has invested in its workforce and in new programs to help fulfill its mission of building health in spirit, mind and body for all, particularly in neighborhoods where opportunity is lacking.

YMCA of Greater Des Moines by the Numbers:

• The YMCA of Greater Des Moines annually impacts more than 75,000 individuals through our four membership branch locations, our permanent supportive housing location, our year-round residential camp location, numerous program sites, partnerships, philanthropy, and volunteer opportunities.

Membership and Programs:

• The Y currently serves more than 29,000 members (over 12,000 membership units) in the Des Moines area in our four membership branch locations.
• Our Y Camp, “The Closest Place to Heaven on Earth”, serves more than 1300 children in our summer overnight programs and more than 4500 individuals in our school and conferences/retreats programs.
• During the school year, the YMCA provides before/after school licensed childcare to more than 400 children and the YMCA provides day camp and summer learning loss programs for over 800 children in the summer months.
• Over 2,000 children participate in our youth sports and over 2000 children participate in our youth swim programs.
• Our YMCA Supportive Housing Campus serves as a community solution to help eliminate homelessness by providing hope, dignity and support in the form of permanent supportive housing. We serve 140 men and women, 18 years of age and older, who have been homeless or at risk of being homeless.

Financial:

• $16 million annual operating budget

Annual Campaign

• In 2023, our Annual Campaign Goal was $1,225,000. Through the giving of more than 2,200 donors, the Y raised a total of $1,268,474, which will positively impact the lives of youth, adults and families who need financial assistance to access Y services.

Volunteers and Staff

• More than 150 individuals support the Y as board members and branch advisory board members and more than 1800 individuals support the Y as program and community outreach volunteers.
• The Y currently has 80 full-time employees and more than 600 part-time employees.

CEO Direct Reports: Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Human Resources, Vice President of Marketing, Director of Development

Salary Range: $160,000-$190,000. Relocation package included.

Benefits: Generous health care, dental plan, disability insurance, life insurance, vacation, car allowance, cell phone allowance and other benefits per policy. Excellent leadership development and networking opportunities including opportunity to connect with YMCA of the USA and other YMCA’s across the country. YMCA pays 8% retirement contribution per eligibility requirements ( www.yretirement.org ).

Residency: Residency within the service area is required.

Target Dates for the Search Process

Resumes accepted through: September 8, 2023

Final interviews: Early November 2023

New CEO on board (anticipated): January 2024

To Apply: Candidates will apply via the following website:

https://tinyurl.com/ymca-greater-des-moines-ceo

You will be requested to submit the following with your online application: A resume and cover letter, along with four professional and two personal references. Note: References will be checked on final candidates.

Questions regarding this position should be directed to:

Sal Cisneros

Senior Search Consultant, YMCA of the USA

Sal.Cisneros@ymca.net

Shaneé Jenkins

Director, Thriving Ys

Network Experience, YMCA of the USA

Shanee.Jenkins@YMCA.net

Wade Riedinger

Heartland Alliance Executive Director

riedinger@crmetroymca.org