Executive Director, West Region

Description

Position Summary 

The Executive Director, West Region leads the Beaverton Family YMCA and oversees regional operations for the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role carries full accountability for operational excellence, financial sustainability, membership and program growth, philanthropic performance, and community impact across the West Region. 

As a member of the Association Leadership Team, the Executive Director ensures regional execution aligns with enterprise strategy, shared standards, and the association’s operating framework. This leader balances strong regional ownership with system-wide alignment and collaborates closely with fellow Executive Directors to strengthen overall association performance. 

Performs all other duties as assigned to advance the mission and strategic priorities of the association. 

Mission 

To put the Christian principles of love, respect, honesty, responsibility, and service into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. 

Our Culture 

The YMCA of Columbia-Willamette is grounded in love, integrity, and humility. We operate as one association, committed to accountability, creativity, and shared stewardship. 

The Executive Director models the association’s Five Operating Tenets: Love in Unity, Honesty in Insight, Responsibility in Action, Respect in Practice, and Service in Stewardship. Decisions are data-informed, equity-centered, risk-aware, and aligned with mission. This leader reinforces consistent adherence to policies, financial controls, and approved processes that protect people, assets, and reputation. 

Requirements

Three-Year Regional Growth and Impact Expectations 

Within the first three years, the Executive Director is expected to: 

• Deliver sustained membership growth across the West Region 
• Strengthen program portfolio performance through disciplined evaluation and refinement 
• Expand high-impact community partnerships that grow participation and relevance 
• Ensure long-term financial sustainability and margin health 
• Increase philanthropic investment aligned with association priorities 
• Develop promotable leaders who strengthen the association’s leadership bench 
• Position the West Region as a leading contributor to association-wide innovation and results 

This role owns the regional growth strategy and is accountable for measurable progress in participation, revenue, mission impact, and leadership development. 

Business Model Accountability and Operating Framework 

The Executive Director operates within a clearly defined association operating framework that balances regional ownership with system-wide alignment. In partnership with the Chief Operating Officer and peer Executive Directors, this leader ensures disciplined strategy execution and responsible stewardship of resources. 

Operational and Financial Leadership 

• Leads annual planning and budgeting for the region 
• Partners with the COO and CFO on financial reporting, forecasting, and performance management 
• Ensures consistent use of the association’s business case template and pro forma process 
• Evaluates underperforming programs and advances recommendations to strengthen, redesign, or sunset offerings 
• Aligns pricing and staffing strategies with association expectations 
• Prioritizes capital needs in coordination with association leadership 
• Ensures compliance with YMCA financial controls, youth protection standards, and regulatory requirements 
• Collaborates with peer Executive Directors to share best practices, align program strategy, and ensure consistency across regions 
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of regional and association-wide objectives 

Decision Authority 

Within approved budget parameters and association standards, the Executive Director: 

• Approves programs that meet established business case and financial criteria 
• Reallocates staffing resources in partnership with Human Resources, keeping the COO informed 
• Recommends pricing adjustments in collaboration with the COO and finance leadership 
• Develops partnership Memoranda of Understanding in alignment with senior leadership 
• Makes operational decisions necessary to achieve approved regional performance goals 

Strategic decisions that materially affect enterprise risk, capital planning, or long-term commitments are advanced in partnership with the COO. 

Philanthropic Leadership 

The Executive Director builds authentic relationships with donors and community leaders, translating mission into meaningful investment. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Executing the regional portion of the annual philanthropy plan 
• Meeting campaign milestones and stewardship goals 
• Partnering with Philanthropy to cultivate major gift prospects 
• Engaging volunteer leaders and staff in fundraising strategy 
• Ensuring philanthropic efforts align with association messaging and priorities 

Staff and Leadership Development 

The Executive Director builds and leads a high-performing regional team aligned with association strategy and culture. 

Key expectations include: 

• Establishing clear performance standards and accountability 
• Conducting weekly regional leadership team meetings to ensure alignment, communication, and coordinated execution 
• Holding consistent weekly one-on-one meetings with direct reports to review performance, remove barriers, and support professional development 
• Building trusting relationships with direct reports and regional leaders, creating an environment of psychological safety, candid dialogue, and healthy conflict resolution 
• Demonstrating emotional intelligence and relational awareness in leadership decisions and feedback 
• Developing promotable leaders and succession readiness 
• Strengthening the association’s leadership pipeline 
• Reinforcing compliance with required training, certifications, and youth protection standards 
• Fostering a culture of clarity, engagement, and continuous improvement 

Leadership bench development is a measurable performance expectation of this role. 

Volunteer and Board Leadership 

The Executive Director partners closely with volunteer leaders to advance mission and regional impact. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Recruiting and developing Advisory Board members reflective of community diversity 
• Strengthening board engagement, governance clarity, and accountability 
• Supporting volunteer leaders in fundraising and community advocacy efforts 
• Maintaining effective board committee structures 
• Building strong alignment between volunteer leadership and association priorities 

Experience directly working with, leading, and growing a volunteer board is required. 

Community Leadership 

The Executive Director serves as the visible civic leader for the YMCA in Beaverton and surrounding communities. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Strengthening the YMCA’s reputation and community presence 
• Building anchor partnerships with schools, healthcare systems, municipalities, nonprofits, and businesses 
• Expanding services aligned with community need and association strategy 
• Representing the YMCA at civic, philanthropic, and public forums 
• Ensuring community relationships translate into measurable participation and funding growth 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred 
• 5 to 7 years of progressive senior leadership experience in multi-site operations, nonprofit leadership, or mission-driven organizations 
• Demonstrated P and L responsibility including budgeting, forecasting, and margin management 
• Experience driving growth in membership, participation, or service delivery 
• Strong business discipline, including program evaluation and data-informed decision making 
• Minimum two years of direct experience working with and leading a volunteer board or advisory council 
• Demonstrated success strengthening board engagement, governance clarity, fundraising partnership, and community connection 
• Proven ability to build high-performing teams and develop promotable leaders 
• Strong financial acumen and sound risk judgment 
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and community impact 

YMCA experience preferred. YMCA Organizational Leader certification required within two years if not already obtained. 

CPR, First Aid, AED, and required YMCA compliance trainings must be completed upon hire. 

Success Indicators 

• Regional operating and philanthropic goals are met or exceeded 
• Membership and program participation demonstrate sustained growth 
• Program portfolio reflects strong participation and margin performance 
• Business case discipline and pricing alignment are consistently executed 
• Staff engagement reflects clarity, accountability, and mission alignment 
• Advisory Board engagement and effectiveness strengthen over time 
• Promotable leaders emerge from the West Region 
• Community partnerships generate measurable participation, visibility, and investment growth 

Equity and Inclusion Statement 

Ensures YMCA programs, partnerships, and staffing reflect the organization’s commitment to equity, inclusion, access, and belonging for all communities. 

Overall Impact 

The Executive Director, West Region is a key leader in advancing the YMCA’s mission and strategic priorities. By combining disciplined operational leadership, strong community presence, collaborative enterprise engagement, and talent development, this role ensures regional excellence contributes to long-term association strength and community impact.