Chief Executive Officer-Sacramento, CA.

Organization: Sterling Martin Associates

Position Title: Chief Executive Officer.

Location: Sacramento, CA.

Hours & Compensation: Full time.  A competitive compensation package will be offered to attract an outstanding candidate.

Application Deadline: Not listed.

Job Description:

California Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Youth & Government, commonly referred to as “Y&G”, has retained Sterling Martin Associates to search for its next Chief Executive Officer. Y&G is located in Sacramento, CA. There is a preference for the successful candidate to either be located in Sacramento or to spend a significant portion of time there working with existing staff.

Y&G is a chartered YMCA, as are local YMCA associations, except that Y&G operates statewide, rather than locally. In essence, Y&G offers service programming to the local YMCA associations that those organizations don’t offer themselves. As such, the “clients” of Y&G are the 85-some YMCA organizations located throughout the State of California.

Y&G’s operating budget is in the $2.5 million range; four talented staff members serve the organization, primarily in the area of program offerings. The organization is governed by a 27-member Board of Directors who are responsible for planning and policy decisions. They also ensure the legal and fiscal health of Y&G’s programs, and they monitor, inform, and support the activities of every program that the organization offers. There are nearly 200 volunteers who come from all walks of professional life – legislators, judges, attorneys, and advocates who volunteer their time for Y &G programming. There are also many volunteers who assist with the physical logistics of making sure the events run smoothly.

Chief Executive Officer | CEO

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO provides dynamic, executive leadership to the organization and, in partnership with the Board of Directors, enacts and implements a bold strategic vision in order to strengthen, expand, and move the organization forward. The CEO champions and communicates the organization’s mission and relevance; is responsible for the organization’s financial stability and growth; engages, communicates and collaborates, not only with the Board of Directors, but also with community, corporate, foundation, and government leaders and organizations. The CEO is also responsible for overseeing, developing, and mentoring staff and volunteers and for overseeing the organization’s day-to-day operations.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Specifically, the successful candidate will see to the effective and successful implementation of the following areas of responsibility:

Board Development | Strategic Direction

• Work with Board of Directors to create and achieve goals outlined in the strategic plan within the focus areas of Public Policy, Leadership Development, Strategic Initiatives, Financial Development and Public Relations.
• Foster a climate of innovation and spearhead the development, communication, and implementation of effective strategies and processes.
• Recommend and implement the long-term vision and strategies that will allow the organization to enhance its existing strengths and create new growth opportunities.
• Facilitate the effectiveness of the Board of Directors by developing critical knowledge, expertise, leadership, and composition to achieve the desired strategic priorities of Y&G.
• Provide support and leadership to the Board of Directors and, as the organization’s executive officer, recommend and implement appropriate organizational policies.
• Report to the Board on matters affecting the welfare of the organization.
• Effectively identify and utilize Board member talent and resources.

Relationship Development & Communications

• Build an effective and highly visible partnership between California YMCA and the Governor’s Office, State Agencies and Legislative Leaders with a goal of positioning the ‘Y’ as the State’s “go to” nonprofit organization for youth development.
• Establish and maintain strong, working relationships with state legislators, and their staffs, YMCAs throughout the state and other nonprofit peers, and the organization’s existing and prospective donors and volunteers.
• Create opportunities for individuals (delegates) who have participated in the programs over the years, i.e., Y&G “alumni.”
• Communicate and collaborate with government, schools, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and other organizations in the community.
• Develop Y&G’s “Case for Support” and communicate the case to the organization’s multiple constituencies.
• Effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the organization’s mission, vision, values and goals are easily understood.
• Develop and maintain excellent relationships within the YMCA, as well as within the state, regional, national, and international YMCA movements.
• Increase the number of YMCA’s participating in the Youth & Government programs through effective communications and special campaigns, as appropriate.
• Communicate positive messaging proactively and provide regular reports with updates of objectives and activities specific to the Board and other stakeholders.

Management & Program Oversight | Funding Sustainability

• Provide leadership of the organization’s financial matters, maximizing community and statewide partnerships, engaging volunteers, and cultivating and soliciting donors, members of the broader community, and legislative leaders.
• Sustain fiscal integrity and work to build financial stability to ensure continuance of programs; facilitate adequate funding to achieve Y&G’s priorities.
• Be responsible for important fiscal goals which include but are not limited to:
  • Recommending, supervising and maintaining the annual operating budget.
  • Developing specialized campaigns and creative revenue streams, including securing grants to support statewide programs and initiatives.
  • Building effective systems that will effectively support increased levels of contributed support (annual giving, endowment, and funds for program sponsorships).
  • Diversifying revenue streams to achieve greater balance and reduce reliance on program fees as the primary source of revenue.
  • Ensuring prudent fiscal management, reporting and controls.
  • Oversee all operations and programs by working with the Board and staff to anticipate and address all program needs.
  • Build and manage a dedicated staff team with primary focus of serving the purpose and programs of the organization.
  • Provide inspirational leadership to Y&G’s staff.
  • Oversee Y&G’s operations and programs, including: management of paid and volunteer staff, recommending and implementing appropriate organizational, human resource, and risk management policies and procedures.
  • Foster a climate of technological innovation within the organization.
  • Oversee the organization’s financial operations and ensure transparency.
  • Implement strategies to solidify the organization’s current fundraising efforts and implement tactics to expand and maximize new fundraising strategies and opportunities.
  • Provide leadership in securing needed resources for current operations, capital improvement, community development and long range financial stability.
  • Oversee the long-range development of the organization’s resources.
  • Cultivate a culture of inclusion and lead efforts to ensure that the programs serve the diverse cultures that populate the State of California.

Required Background and Experience | Desirable Qualities and Characteristics

Qualified candidates for the position of Chief Executive Officer will have a proven track record in executive leadership, strategic planning and implementation, board management, fundraising, budget and operational management, legislative and community advocacy, relationship-building, and staff and volunteer management. In addition, all candidates will be expected to present the following:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher education, preferably with a concentration in business, political science, public policy, communications, or related field; master’s degree preferred.
• At least five years of progressively responsible leadership experience, preferably in the nonprofit sector, and including staff and volunteer management.
• Proven leadership in a professional business environment.
• Superior communications skills, both written and oral, and extensive experience writing, editing, and proofreading.
• An understanding of governance issues and experience reporting to a volunteer governing board.
• Proven ability to develop and strengthen relationships with multiple constituencies – legislators, other YMCAs, funders.
• A successful track record of fundraising experience, including annual campaigns and securing of grants.
• Proven track record of budgetary and fiscal management for an organization with an annual budget in excess of $2,000,000 or more annually.
• Personal values consistent with the YMCA mission.
• Solid relationship-building skills.
• An entrepreneurial spirit and orientation.
• Highly organized and able to juggle multiple activities at a time.
• Demonstrated ability to plan strategically and think tactically; experience in strategic planning in cooperation with a governing board.
• Demonstrated experience in working with the public.
• A well-developed sense of humor.

How to apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume via email,[email protected].