SVP, People Strategy, Culture

Embark on a Journey of Impactful Adventure

The Senior Vice President, People Strategy, Culture & Risk will drive a unified strategy that advances organizational learning, nurtures a thriving and inclusive culture, and ensures enterprise-wide risk management. The SVP leads efforts to invest in the growth and development of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine's 1,800+ employees, strengthens diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging (DEIB), and implements systems and processes that safeguard the mission, people, and operations of YGBW. This role requires a visionary leader and strategic thinker who is deeply aligned with the YMCA's values and mission, bringing thought leadership and operational excellence to support long-term organizational sustainability, staff engagement, and community impact.

Who Are We?

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) was named a 2025 Top Workplace by The Philadelphia Inquirer for a second consecutive year. An association of nine YMCAs serving Chester County, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine is a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing the potential of every child, promoting healthy living, and fostering social responsibility through life-changing programs for all.

Perks & Benefits

• Free family YMCA membership, including outdoor pools
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with paid holidays and plentiful PTO for full-time employees
• Babysitting while you work (up to 4 hours per day)
• Generous program discounts on childcare, camp, youth sports, swimming lessons and more
• 12% employer contribution to retirement savings upon reaching eligibility and optional 403B retirement savings plan upon hire.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Continuing education reimbursement, tuition discounts with Chestnut Hill College and Immaculata University
• Career development and paid training
  Unlimited referral bonus beginning at $

What You'll Do

• Promote a culture of continuous learning that support innovation, excellence and mission advancement.
• Integrate learning initiatives with organizational culture for adaptability and innovation.
• Establish development programs, including leadership pipelines, succession planning, and inclusive training.
• Partner with HR to align training programs with performance management and career growth.
• Champion a values-driven culture and foster belonging across all levels.
• Design and measure diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) strategies that promote inclusive behaviors.
• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to senior leadership on inclusive policy and practice.
• Oversee the YGBW's risk management strategy, ensuring that operational, financial, legal, safety and reputational risks are identified and mitigated.
• Embed an ERM framework aligned with ISO 31000 standards.
• Work closely with legal counsel, insurance providers, and internal departments to uphold compliance and best practices.
• Lead safety and emergency preparedness policies, procedures and training.
• Ensure all branches and departments operate within applicable laws, standards and YGBW policies.
• Oversee Mid-Atlantic Learning Center contract and associated duties.
• Represent the YGBW locally, regionally, and nationally, both internally and externally.
  Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the President & CEO.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree; Master's preferred with minimum 8 years of progressive leadership with experience in nonprofit settings with deep expertise in at least two of these following areas: Human Resources, L&D, DEIB, culture transformation and enterprise risk management.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational change and culture building initiatives across an organization.
• Proven success building learning culture, risk systems and integrating DEIB into a complex system.
• Strong communication and data-driven strategy skills.
• Excellent team builder and team player, ability to work self-directed.
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrates excellent planning, organizational, time management, and attention to detail, with the ability to multi-task with minimal direction.
  Demonstrates leadership skills in an outgoing, friendly, assertive, professional, and mature manner.

Work Conditions and Physical Demands

Typically, the worker is in an indoor environment, protected from weather conditions and subject to some temperature fluctuations. Assigned projects and events will occur outside throughout the year and will be subject to various weather conditions as needed. Demands include (but are not limited to): Visual acuity, talking, hearing, lifting (up to 40lbs. independently, more than 50lbs. with assistance), walking, stooping, rising, kneeling, crouching, sitting or standing (for sustained periods of time), reaching, pushing, pulling, balancing, climbing, feeling, grasping and other repetitive motions of the hands, fingers and wrists. Detailed definitions of each action are available upon request. Demands may be subject to possible modification upon request to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities as reviewed and approved by the human resources department.

Why You Need To Apply

Not meeting every single requirement? That's perfectly okay Research shows that women and marginalized groups are often hesitant to apply for jobs unless they meet all the qualifications. If you're excited about this role, don't let a few mismatches in your experience hold you back. We want to see your application You could be exactly what we're looking for