OUR MISSION

Building a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body.

EQUITY STATEMENT

The Y actively promotes a culture free from bias and injustice. We are dedicated to removing institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. We will be accountable to marginalized communities for creating equitable and sustainable environments where social justice is woven into every facet of our programs, and by caring for our communities in a culturally versatile and respectful manner.

About the YMCA of Greater Seattle

Founded in 1876, the YMCA of Greater Seattle (YGS) seeks to build a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop to their fullest potential in mind, body, and spirit. YGS is an inclusive organization with a shared commitment to nurture the potential of youth, promote healthy living, foster social responsibility, and advance equity and justice for all.

YGS has responded to the region’s most critical social needs for more than 145 years and, in 2019, reached 265,000 people of all backgrounds, abilities, and financial circumstances. Through its 14 branches and three overnight camps, YGS provides affordable, world-class programs spanning health and wellness, youth development, and social responsibility. YGS staff help youth reach their full potential through a wide variety of programs, including overnight camps, youth-in-government, and before and after-school care. YGS also operates a powerful array of less well-known support services for at-risk youth and young adults, offering case management, transitional housing, mental health care, and life skills. At the end of 2019, YGS served 1 in 4 kids and teenagers in the region and was King County’s largest provider of transitional housing for youth. YGS is the 8th largest Y association in the country, with a total operating budget in 2019 of over $100 million.

YGS is a dynamic, growing organization that has steadily expanded its reach and impact. In response to escalating challenges across the region, YGS has grown its network of branch facilities and broadened its social services offerings, including mental health and rapid response programs, to provide more support for children and families in crisis. Using methods proven to deliver meaningful outcomes, YGS branch staff work closely with local leaders to design the mix of programs and services best suited to the unique needs of each community. YGS offers generous financial assistance for all fee-based programs; currently, 36% of all members receive financial assistance.

YGS is nationally recognized for developing innovative programs replicated throughout the country, and it is at the forefront of innovative partnerships with local government, health care systems, physicians, and other non-profits across King County – all of whom look to YGS as a trusted partner. 

YGS is more than a mission - it’s a movement powered by an unwavering belief that everyone deserves a fair chance in life. For more information, visit https://www.seattleymca.org/.

2020 Impact Statement

• 14 branches, three overnight camps, and 200+ program sites 
• Served 1,062 participants in chronic disease prevention programs 
• Delivered swimming lessons to 12,686 people - Critical water safety instruction, wellness, and lessons to 4,691
• Provided social services to 5,481 teens and young adults
• Taught more than 28,000 people new skills through camping & outdoor leadership programs - Safely offered 1577 people new skills through camping & outdoor leadership programs
• Served over 400,000 meals/snacks to low-income children, adults, and families
• 1670 full and part-time employees 
• $110M operating budget, with a solid track record of financial sustainability 
• $33M+ endowment, $22M+ reserves

The YMCA of Greater Seattle is an inclusive organization with a shared commitment to nurture the potential of youth, promote healthy living, and foster social responsibility. In response to increasing challenges across the region, The YMCA of Greater Seattle has continued to steadily expand its outreach and impact to provide more support to children and families in crisis. Branch facilities have broadened their social services offerings, including mental health and rapid response programs, using methods proven to deliver meaningful outcomes and a community of branch staff working closely with local leaders to design various programs and services best suited to the unique needs of each community. 

In 2020, YGS pledged to become an anti-racist organization and established its Equity and Justice Center of Excellence to advance equity and justice for all. 

SUMMARY

YGS seeks a Chief People Officer (CPO) who has a heart for community, is a builder and systems thinker and energized by the opportunity to develop and execute a plan to take the HR department to the next level and to help YGS achieve its goals to be an employer of choice in our region. The CPO will work in collaboration with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to develop and execute the Association’s Human Resources plans and strategies across YGS and its branches and departments, driving organizational and cultural change and managing the delivery of HR services to all employees. The CPO, in collaboration with the SLT, will provide a clear and actionable strategy to execute on the vision for the organization. In close partnership with the highly collaborative YGS senior leadership team, the CPO is expected to build upon the organization’s success, constructing and fulfilling all assigned financial and operational objectives. They will be comfortable motivating, communicating, and influencing at all levels and in a multitude of environments. This executive will operate with the highest levels of integrity, honesty, and personal standards and ethics.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The CPO leads and develops association-wide operating strategy, policy, and procedures in the areas of human resources. The position oversees all HR programs and services including but not limited to Employee Recruitment, Selection and Retention; Classification & Compensation; Employee Benefits and Wellness Administration; Performance Management; Employee & Labor Relations; Policy Development; Training and Organizational Development. The CPO acts as a strategic resource and business partner for executive leaders, managers and supervisors in the areas of human resources and training and organizational development. Success in this role requires extensive contact and collaboration with executive staff, managers, employees, consultants, attorneys and members of the public. Competencies required include strategic thinking, collaboration, customer service, effective communication, project management, and negotiation skills. Work is performed with considerable independent judgment within established policies and procedures.

What you'll get from working at The Y

• Membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle for you and your household
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
• Retirement with generous employer contributions
• Free access to mental health resources
• Rapidly-accruing paid time off (PTO) available immediately upon hire
• Discounts on qualifying YMCA of Greater Seattle childcare and day camp programs

Minimum compensation: $ 153,846/Year

As of March 12, 2022 COVID Vaccinations Requirements: Highly Recommended, Not Required. *Certain programs may require proof of vaccination, in compliance with local state and federal guidelines. If applicable will be assigned within onboarding.

• Provide organization-wide leadership in the following areas:
  • Supporting the human resources operation as a matrix organization with lines of responsibility and accountability extending vertically through supervisors and horizontally across the Centers of Excellence.
  • Supporting a solid foundation by helping staff maintain a personal connection to the mission of the organization.
  • Helping maintain a positive culture by clearly and consistently articulating and modeling the desired way of working and interacting throughout the organization.
  • Upholding people and talent strategies as top organizational priorities.
  • Aligning people-based structures, roles, processes, measures, rewards, and communication with all organizational improvement strategies/initiatives.
  • Rebuilding HR systems and infrastructure for greater efficiency, productivity, and operation effectiveness.
• Assesses, develops, and implements comprehensive human resources strategies, systems, practices, plans and programs, including recruitment and retention, performance feedback, goal setting, pay for performance, compensation and benefits, diversity and inclusion, organizational planning, workforce planning and analysis, succession planning, staff learning and development, total rewards and recognition, employee relations and legal compliance, which result in the achievement of organizational goals.
• Ensures the Human Resources strategic and tactical initiatives are aligned with the Y’s mission, vision and goals. Collaborates with and provides counsel to the President/CEO and senior leadership regarding strategic people initiatives, program development and operational issues impacting the employees of the YMCA.
• Serves on the President/CEO’s senior leadership team. Works and collaborates with the CEO and other Association senior team members to accomplish the Association mission and goals under a sustainable business model. Contributes to the evaluation of and adjustments to the sustainable business model from a financial and workforce perspective.
• Assesses the organization’s culture and leadership. Recommends and implements changes to enhance the Y’s diverse workforce and achievement of the Y’s mission and values. Provides leadership and models partnership with others to instill the culture with the understanding that diversity and inclusion are integral to the Y’s aspirations for excellence.
• Provides overall leadership and management of the Human Resources team; hires, develops and directly manages the Human Resources department staff.
• Provide leadership in the area of quality improvement and systems efficiency as it relates to human resource processes and procedures. Establish a quality improvement culture within human resources that leverages opportunities to always improve service delivery and customer service.
• Develops, implements, and ensures achievement of the Human Resources department goals, outcomes, budget and operations; drives measurement, outcome evaluation and continuous quality improvement of all Human Resources projects, activities and services.
• Supervision and Leadership: Provide leadership and guidance to assigned staff using management practices that develop and retain highly competent and high-performing employees. Direct, coordinate and review the work for assigned staff, oversee their activities and projects, monitor workflow, set expectations and evaluate work performance and customer service, and provide appropriate resources to ensure their professional growth.
• Models for the organization highly refined skills in critical thinking, analysis, problem solving, risk assessment and prevention, collaboration, diversity and inclusion, integration, stewardship, team building and development of leadership at all levels.
• Represents the YMCA locally, regionally and nationally, inside and outside the organization. Actively engages in advocacy and fundraising for the Y in support of development and goals.

 Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrate the values of the Y - honesty, caring, respect, responsibility, and passion for excellence - in every aspect of work.
• Deep commitment to the mission of the YMCA, its members and the communities served.
• Proven champion of social responsibility, diversity & inclusion, and anti-racism. A role model for cultural competence. Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions.
• Commitment to developing self and others; demonstrates executive team leadership and management, teamwork, and personal accountability, seeks and provides feedback, coaching, and resources for development.
• Strategic, results-oriented, growth focus and strong work ethic; takes initiative and holds self and others accountable to meet or exceed quantitative and qualitative goals relating to operations, people (employees, volunteers, and members), philanthropy and finance.
• Responsible for continuous quality improvement of operations.
• Facilitates change, seeks opportunities in the change systems process, models adaptability, and leads transition and transformation in support of the Y’s mission.
• Inspiring to others; promotes creativity, generates excitement, and rewards risk taking, while consistently demonstrating a high level of emotional maturity. Maintains a positive attitude and builds strong relationships.
• Culture influencer, trust builder, pacesetter, change maker at the systems level, and community connector
• Passionate community organizer and advocate.
• Big thinker at the systems level to drive sustainable social change.
• Strong leader with the ability to effectively execute and communicate a vision for both the short- and long-term direction of the organization’s branches.
• Established reputation as a diplomatic leader who can transcend personal politics, engage a wide range of ideologies, and build consensus and community.
• Proven people management and development skills and ability to play a day-to-day role in directing staff.
• Eloquent, articulate, and persuasive communication style (oral and written).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office environment.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment.

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. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Days and hours may vary depending on the needs the organization and community. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. We are currently operating on a hybrid work model. This position requires working in person at our Downtown Seattle office a minimum of two days a week.

TRAVEL

The position will be based at headquarters in Downtown Seattle. Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected (20-30%).

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, or related field (Advanced degree is desirable).
• Minimum 10 years of progressive human resources management experience.
• Demonstrated competence in building and leading an effective and cohesive HR team.
• Energized and comfortable in a fast paced environment.
• Experience leading within an environment undergoing transformational change and experienced in building processes, procedures, systems, and practices to achieve transformational excellence.
• Possess excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Must possess an appropriate balance between the strategic and tactical aspects of HR and have the vision for where the organization is going and how to get there.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills with an ability to balance assertiveness with diplomacy.
• Specific depth in organizational development, leadership, diversity & inclusion, change management, coaching, compensation & benefits strategy, talent management, succession planning, learning and organizational effectiveness.
• A highly refined sense of cultural competence and awareness, as well as a proven effectiveness and ease in communicating within a multicultural environment. An understanding of the importance and value of diversity that recognizes and embraces the differences that arise from varying backgrounds, life experiences, beliefs, and perspectives.
• A passion for our mission supporting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility and possesses the ability to impel others to share in our commitment.
• Proven experience in handling highly confidential and sensitive matters.
• Competency in variety of Windows-based programs including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community; track record of building authentic, constructive relationships with others.
• Strong strategic planning skills including execution expertise.
• Demonstrated experience in financial planning, budgeting, and analysis.
• Demonstrated experience with attracting and developing high performance teams and a positive culture.
• Ability to partner and provide strategic level input to senior leadership and the ability to influence others at all levels of the organization.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Advanced degree and/or training and certifications: Senior Professional in Human Resource (SPHR) and/or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification.
• Prior experience in a fast paced, large nonprofit environment.
• Y-USA Leader Certification (Multi-Team or Organizational Leader).
• Prior experience in outsourcing highly specialized HR functions.
• Knowledge of and previous experience with diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.).
• Ability to speak any language in addition to English.

Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

This job description may be changed at any time at YMCA of Greater Seattle’s discretion.

The YMCA of Greater Seattle is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. We are a drug & alcohol-free workplace; all job offers are contingent on results of a background check.

OUR VALUES:

• Respect
• Responsibility
• Honesty
• Caring
• Passion for Excellence