Chief Executive Officer

This is a pivotal opportunity for an experienced, strategic partner and mission-driven leader to shape the future of a thriving YMCA.

Job Description
EXECUTIVE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
GREATER PEORIA FAMILY YMCA
Position:
Chief Executive Officer

Category:
Executive

Location:
Peoria, IL

Posted on:
11/3/2025

Address:
7000 North Fleming Lane, Peoria, IL 61614

The Greater Peoria Family YMCA is an equal opportunity employer. We work to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity.
THE OPPORTUNITY AT THE GREATER PEORIA FAMILY YMCA
This is a pivotal opportunity for an experienced, strategic partner and mission-driven leader to shape the future of a thriving YMCA and the community it serves. The incoming CEO will be a collaborator who will lead bold, forward-thinking strategies to broaden the YMCA's reach and deepen its impact across the service area. They will foster meaningful partnerships with key stakeholders to elevate the YMCA's visibility and advance its mission. By guiding and empowering a passionate staff team, the CEO will cultivate a culture of excellence and service. Above all, they will champion the safety and well-being of all individuals, especially youth, while maintaining a culture of child protection and aquatic safety.

Qualifications
Criteria for candidates:

• Accredited 4-year college degree and or equivalent work experience.
• Fiscally sound business management approach with a proven track record of budgetary and fiscal management more than $3M or more annually.
• Minimum five years prior experience in a senior management role with a YMCA or related experience at a comparable organization with direct supervision of multiple levels of staff and employees.
• Must be able to develop and strengthen community relationships.
• Have the ability to develop innovative programs, review and enhance programs being offered or considered for both economic and effectiveness in broadening our engagement in the communities in which we serve.
• Strategic planning and Fundraising experience including annual campaigns and the securing of grants.
• Fiscally sound business management approach.
• A proven record of accomplishment of progressive budgetary leadership and advanced fiscal management practices.
• YMCA Organizational Leader Certification or ability to achieve within 3 years.

Essential Functions
KEY SKILLS AND ABILITIES OF OUR NEXT CEO
Role
The board believes its new CEO should be an experienced leader who has the background and qualities that will permit him or her to achieve excellence in the following roles:

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 include 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
Build and Lead Staff:
Ensure a talent development system is in place and executed effectively with cultural competence. Hire, motivate, nurture, retain, and hold staff accountable for key objectives. Work towards recruiting, retaining, developing and promoting staff. Encourage the team by creating a spirit of camaraderie, connection, 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
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
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
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 a variety of backgrounds, while always upholding the highest standards and values of the Y. Ensure your 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 & Influence
About The Greater Peoria Family Ymca
For the past 160 years the Greater Peoria Family YMCA has been a community-based service organization dedicated to building the mind, body and spirit for ALL. By offering value-based programs emphasizing education, health and recreation for individuals regardless of sex, race or socio-economic status the YMCA is increasing the quality of life in the Greater Peoria area.

Our Mission
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

Our Cause & Values
To strengthen the foundations of community and instill the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Our Culture
Welcoming
– We are open to all. We are a place where you can be yourself and find yourself in others.

Genuine
– We value you and embrace your individuality.

Hopeful
– We believe in you and your potential to do good in the world.

Nurturing
– We support you as you become the best-version-of-yourself.

Determined
– Above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger, beginning with you.

Current Key Strategic Initiatives

• How do we generate and use the resources needed to sustain and grow our organization?
• How do we identify and address community needs?
• How do we increase community awareness?

Membership:
Total Number of Members: 4279 Units / 7914 Heads

Core Programs

• Before & After School Care
• Summer Camp
• Youth Sports Leagues and Camps
• Learn-to-Swim Classes
• Safety Around Water
• Teen Reach Academic Enrichment and Mentoring
• Land and Water Group Exercise Classes
• Personal & Functional Training Programs

Annual Support Campaign:
Current Year Goal: $165,000

• Prior Year's Total: $178,000
• Current Year's Progress Toward Goal: $148,000 / 90%
• Total number of people receiving financial assistance prior year: 350

CEO Direct Reports

• Director of Operations
• Director of Accounting and HR
• Director of Fund Development
• Director of Property and Grounds

Board Of Directors
19 members with the following standing committees:

• Executive Committee
• Finance Committee
• Board Governance Committee
• Long Range Planning Committee
• Community Awareness Committee
• Community Improvement Committee
• Sustainability Committee
• Mission Advancement Committee

Financial Snapshot

• Current Annual Budget Size: $3.6M
• Current Debt: $851K
• Current Endowment: $6M
• Last year operating net: $148,714*
• Previous year operating net: $235,451*
• Previous year operating net: $(1,690,881) *
• Includes investment income/losses

About Our Community
You only get one life, and that life deserves more. Whether it's greater work/life balance, greater family time or greater opportunities to make a difference in your career or community, you'll find more in Greater Peoria. Greater Peoria offers a diverse network of world-class employers across industries, from insurance to healthcare to manufacturing and beyond. Are you ready to take the next great step in your career? Professional sports. Fine dining. Live music. World-class museums. Whatever your passion, you'll find an outlet in Greater Peoria. There are so many things to do here — indoors, outdoors and in every season. With our family-friendly atmosphere and low cost of living, our work/life balance is greater in Greater Peoria. Discover a community that welcomes you with open arms — and boundless opportunities to make a difference.

Information Sites
YMCA Website:

City/County Website:

Chamber of Commerce:

University/College: and

Hospital System:

School System:

YMCA of the USA:

State Alliance:

Salary, Benefits, & Criteria
Salary Range:
$130,000- $150,000, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• YMCA Retirement (8% paid by Y, 4+% by employee) contribution once eligibility is met
• YMCA 403B savings account
• Health plan (80% paid by Y, 20% by employee)
• Paid Time Off (PTO): X hours/days per personnel policy
• 0-1 years of service – 132 hours
• 2-3 years of service – 172 hours
• 4-6 years of service – 212 hours
• 7-9 years of service – 252 hours
• 10+ years of service -292 hours
• Other benefits per personnel policy
• Dental
• Vision
• Life/Disability

Residency Expectation
Living in the YMCA's service area is required. It is expected that the CEO be fully engaged in the communities the Y serves, visible in facilities to members, donors, program participants, and community leaders.

SEARCH PROCESS TARGET DATES

• Resumes accepted through: 12/1/25
• Preliminary interviews scheduled: 1/13/26 and 1/14/26
• In-person interviews: 1/27/26 & 1/28/26
• CEO selection made: 2/4/26
• New CEO on board (anticipated): April 2026
• Dates subject to change

How To Apply
References, Background Check, and Organizational Leader Certification:
Candidates must submit (pdf format only) the following in their online application: a resume, cover letter.
Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.
Candidates who advance to final interviews will need to submit six references (four professional and two personal). References checked only with prior notification. Successful candidate accepting the offer must pass a background check and must have a current Y-USA's Organizational Leader Certification or obtain certification within the first three years from start date as the CEO. The YMCA's personnel policies may require further screening.

Candidates Must Apply Via The Following Website

QUESTIONS
Shaneé Jenkins
Sr. Director, Executive Leadership-CEO Search

[email protected]

Wade Riedinger
Heartland Alliance Executive Director

YMCAs of Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota

[email protected]