The Y is an equal opportunity employer committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion.

The Y has a commitment to creating a culture of safety.

The Opportunity

The Ligonier Valley YMCA’s Board of Directors is searching for its next leader to continue the impact the Y has on the Ligonier Valley community. This is a great opportunity for a seasoned operator and strategic thinker to take the next step in their career to lead one of the community’s best nonprofits. The CEO will join our Y with a dedicated governing board and a great staff team. The CEO serves as the chief executive officer and reports to and is held directly responsible by the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for key result areas as established by the Board of Directors.

What We Are Looking for in Our Next CEO

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community. The CEO at the YMCA sets the strategic direction of the organization; oversees its financial stability, staffing, development, and operations; and positions the Y as a community convener and collaborator to address critical social issues. The CEO works under the policies, directives, and guidelines of the governing board of directors.

ABOUT THE YMCA

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 instilling the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Our Facility:

The Ligonier Valley YMCA is an 82,000 sq ft full facility with a recent (2016) expansion. It includes 2 gymnasiums, child care space with 6 classrooms (57 children infant – Pre-K and another 35 school age children daily), a 5,000 square foot new fitness center with free weight space, a 25 yard 6 lane indoor pool, 2 aqua therapy pools, men’s and women’s locker rooms, men’s and women’s changing rooms in fitness center, handicap changing room on pool deck, spin room, squash court, personal training space, aerobic studio, dance studio, and climbing wall

The Y has a 9,959 sq feet of medical space in collaboration with Independence Health. This space includes 14 exam rooms for 3 physicians and hospital services including a physical therapy clinic.

The Y is a tremendous asset to the communities that we serve as a whole health treatment and prevention destination. We have embarked on a $3.6 million dollar renovation of the original facility with the money secured and ready to begin in March of 2024. The Ligonier Valley YMCA is debt free with a yearly surplus, a solid endowment and a maintenance reserve account set up for facility issues.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement:

Strengthening our work through the diversity of our people. The Y is made up of all ages and from all walks of life working side by side to strengthen communities. Together, we work to ensure that every individual of any gender, income, faith, race, sexual orientation, or cultural background can live life to the fullest. We share the values of caring, honesty, respect, respect, and responsibility and everything we do stems from these.

Current Key Strategic Initiatives:

• Leadership Development
• Program Development
• Facility Use Development and Collaborations
• Capital Campaign

Membership:

• Total Number of Members: 4,617
• Total Number of Membership Units: 3,264
• % Youth: 5.2%
• % Adults: 10.8%
• % Household:30%
• % Senior: 4.5%
• % Silver Sneaker: 37.3%
• % Renew Active Silver and Fit: 4%
• % Prime: 5.5%
• % Temporary: 2.7%

Core Programs:

• Aquatics
• Out of School Time: Before and After School, Day Camp
• Full day Childcare; infant though Pre-K
• Group Exercise
• Youth and Adult Sports
• YMCA Swim Team
• High School Swim Team
• Fencing

Annual Support Campaign:

• 2022 Total Raised: $84,197.00
• 2023 Current Goal: $90,000.00
• Current Amount raised: $36,876.00 End of year campaign beginning now.
• Total amount of financial assistance prior year $110,000.00

Capital Campaign(s): Current campaign with $3,600,000.00 raised to date.

Staff:

• FT: 12
• PT: 50
• Seasonal: 8

CEO Direct Reports:

• Program Director
• Childcare Director
• Assistant Childcare Director
• Aquatic Director
• Facilities Director
• Accountant
• Membership and Marketing Director

Staff Demographics:

• % Female: 65%
• % Male: 35%
• % Black or African American: 1%
• % White: 99%

Board of Directors:

Number of Governing Board Members: 14

Board Demographics:

• % Female: 29%
• % Male: 71%
• % White: 100% (representative of the community)

Committees

• Finance
• Facility, Safety and Security
• Program
• Membership and Marketing
• Financial Development
• Board Governance

Financial:

• Current Annual Budget Size: 2024 calendar year $1,623,249
• Current Debt: $0
• Current Endowment: $975,013
• Maintenance Reserve: $107,966
• 3-year annual surplus/deficit
  • Last year: 2022 Surplus $170,086
  • Previous year: 202 Surplus $232,207
  • Previous year: 2020 Surplus $18,628

Community Population & Demographics: Ligonier, PA (US Census)

Ligonier

Population Estimates, July 1, 2022, (V2022) 6,000

Persons under 5 years 3.2%

Persons under 18 years 17.0%

Persons 65 years and over 25.2%

White, not Hispanic or Latino 98.70%

Two or More Races 2.30%

Hispanic or Latino 1.60%

Black or African American 0.40%

Median household income (in 2021 dollars), 2017-2021: $63,464

Why Move to Ligonier Valley?

Ligonier is in Westmoreland County and is one of the best places to live in Pennsylvania. Living in Ligonier offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many young professionals and retirees live in Ligonier. The borough is well known for nearby Idlewild Park, one of the oldest amusement parks in the country; and nearby Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Another tourist attraction is Fort Ligonier Days, a parade and craft market that takes place every fall over the course of three days, and the Ligonier Country Market in the summer months. Ligonier is part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area and is just an hour car drive to downtown Pittsburgh.

Recognized by Country Living Magazine as one of “The Most Charming Small Towns in America” and by The Washington Post as a “Small Town Charmer,” Ligonier Valley is a place to call home. Steeped in history dating back to the French and Indian War at Fort Ligonier, the town hosts over 60 specialty shops, galleries, restaurants, and places to stay. The scenic valley surrounding the town is home to many museums and outdoor adventures.

Residency Expectation: Living in the YMCA’s service area is preferred. It is expected that the CEO will be fully engaged in the community.

Information Sites:

• Ligonier Valley YMCA Website
• Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Excela Health Latrobe Hospital
• Ligonier Valley School District
• YMCA of the USA

Alliance Information:

The Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs consists of all 60 associations and 108 branches located in communities across the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania has more YMCAs than any other state in the nation! There are more than 700,000 Pennsylvanians who are members of their local Y. More than 180,000 other citizens participate in hundreds of Y programs and services.

Pennsylvania Ys benefit from the services of more than 15,000 volunteers of all ages – teens through seniors – who serve as childcare aids, swim instructors, tutors, mentors, coaches, chaperones, and others. Over 2,100 other volunteers donated their skills, talents, and leadership by serving on Y boards and committees.

Criteria for Candidates:

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:

• Finalize and Implement a Strategic Plan: Work effectively with volunteers, community leaders, and key staff, to create to finalize the Y’s strategic plan that addresses the needs of the communities served by the Y and includes 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
• 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 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
• 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
• Build and Lead Staff: Ensure a talent development system is in place and executed in affirming, culturally competent and effectively. Hire, motivate, nurture, retain, and hold staff accountable for key objectives. Work towards recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting staff that represent the diversity of the communities you serve. Encourage the team by creating a spirit of camaraderie, inclusion, 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
• Maintenance and Development of Facilities: Lead the organization’s efforts in performing preventive maintenance on facilities and equipment. Be responsible for the upkeep and improvement of the Y’s facilities. Determine future facility and equipment needs and be responsible for ensuring that our facilities are compliant with all safety, applicable codes and regulations. Key competencies: fiscal Management, Program/Project Management, Change Leadership, Critical Thinking & Decision Making

Salary Range: $95,000 to $115,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Retirement: 7 percent paid by Y, 5 percent by employee contribution (once eligibility is met)
• Health Insurance: 75 percent paid by Y, 25 percent by employee contribution.
• Paid Time Off: based on years of service per HR policy.
• Vision and 100% paid dental for employees and dependents
• Paid holidays
• Other benefits per personnel policy

Search Process Target Dates:

• Resumes accepted through: January 16, 2024, Noon, CST
• Preliminary interviews scheduled: February 14 (afternoon) and February 15 (morning)
• In-person interviews: March 6 and 7, 2024
• CEO selection made: March 11, 2024
• New CEO on board (anticipated): April 1, 2024

References, Background Check, and Organizational Leader Certification:

Candidates must submit the following in their online application: a resume, cover letter, and six references (four professional and two personal that are not directly related). References checked on final candidates 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.

Candidates must apply via the following website: https://tinyurl.com/ligonier-valley-ymca-ceo

Questions?

About the Y contact Ken Soliday, Director of Alliance Services, PA State Alliance of YMCAs, ksoliday@psays.com

About the Search Process contact, Richard Clegg, CEO Search Consultant, richard.clegg@ymca.net