Leader, YESS Information Technology (IT)

at  YMCA

We are The Y, an association that values and is made stronger by its diverse people.
Job Description
This position is responsible for the strategic leadership and development of the Information Technology function and all associated operations service delivery for YMCA Enterprise Shared Services (YESS) clients. The role utilizes extensive industry knowledge to drive innovation, efficiency, and security in the shared service technology landscape. Reporting directly to the National Leader of YESS, this position has a critical role in shaping the shared service digital future and enhancing a competitive edge. Emphasis shall be on maintaining the highest level of service while working cooperatively with local leaders. The incumbent ensures success by achieving departmental goals while operating within established business operations and procedures.
YMCA of the USA is a work from anywhere in the U.S. workplace.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field (master’s degree preferred).
• 15+ years of progressive experience in IT leadership roles, including a minimum of 5 years at the senior management level.
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification is required.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing successful IT strategies that align with business goals.
• In-depth knowledge of cybersecurity best practices, risk management, and compliance standards.
• Strong understanding of emerging technologies, cloud computing, and data analytics.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide cross-functional teams.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management abilities, including presenting technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated experience in vendor management, budgeting, and resource allocation.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate future technology trends and their impact on the business.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to make informed decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated experience building a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Excellent organizational skills including monitoring, planning, prioritizing, and delegating.
• Demonstrating understanding of legal compliance requirements including prioritization of deadlines.
• Ability to advise with influence, communicate, and collaborate at all levels and across all functions of the organization and with external customers, verbal and written.
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve, organize, manage multiple priorities with the flexibility to quickly adapt to ever changing business needs.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with all types of people including customers, staff, direct reports, volunteers, and supervisors.
• Fiscal aptitude to manage expenses and budgets.
• Superior computer skills: proficient in Microsoft Office suite and ability to learn and adapt to new technology.
• Commitment to the YMCA character development values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility is required.

Essential Functions

• Strategic Leadership. Develop and execute YESS’s IT strategy aligned with overall business objectives. Provide guidance and vision to IT teams, ensuring alignment with long-term organizational goals.
• Technology Innovation. Identify emerging technologies and trends that can drive business growth and operational excellence. Lead the evaluation, selection, and adoption of appropriate technologies, including cloud solutions, cybersecurity tools, and data analytics platforms.
• Operational Excellence. Oversee the design, implementation, and management of robust IT systems, infrastructure, and processes. Streamline workflows to enhance efficiency, scalability, and reliability across all IT functions.
• Cybersecurity and Risk Management. Maintain a comprehensive cybersecurity framework to safeguard the organization’s digital assets. Develop and enforce security policies, oversee risk assessments, and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations. Leverage your CISSP certification to guide the security strategy.
• Team Leadership. Lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse team of IT professionals. Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment that encourages professional growth and knowledge sharing.
• Vendor Management. Collaborate with external vendors, partners, and service providers to ensure effective delivery of IT services, solutions, and products. Negotiate contracts and manage vendor relationships to optimize value.
• Budget Oversight. Develop and manage the IT budget, ensuring prudent allocation of resources to support strategic initiatives, projects, and day-to-day operations.
• Change Management. Drive IT-related change initiatives across the organization. Champion adoption of new technologies and processes, ensuring smooth transitions and minimal disruptions.
• Stakeholder Communication. Communicate IT strategies, progress, and results to executive leadership, board members, and other key stakeholders. Translate complex technical concepts into clear business insights.
• Governance and Compliance. Establish and enforce IT governance frameworks, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards.
• Directly supervise, coach, lead and evaluate the IT YESS management staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies
Values. Demonstrates in word and action the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility and a commitment to the Y’s mission, in all matters at all times.
Inclusion. Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence.
Relationships. Builds authentic relationships in the service of enhancing individual and team performance to support the Y’s work.
Influence. Employs influence strategies that engage, inspire, and build commitment to the cause and overall Y goals.
Communication . Listens and expresses self effectively and in a manner that reflects a true understanding of the needs of the audience.
Developing Others. Recognizes and acts on the need to continually develop others’ capabilities to attain the highest level of performance possible.
Decision Making. Integrates logic, intuition, and sound judgment to analyze information to identify greatest opportunities, make sound decisions, and solve problems.
Change Capacity. Leads self and others through change by navigating ambiguity appropriately and adapting well to new situations, obstacles, and opportunities.
Emotional Maturity. Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills.
Quality Results. Demonstrates and fosters a strong commitment to achieving goals in a manner that provides quality experiences.
Innovation. Participates in the generation, experimentation, and implementation of new approaches and activities that improve and expand the Y’s mission and work

• Strategic Leadership. Develop and execute YESS’s IT strategy aligned with overall business objectives. Provide guidance and vision to IT teams, ensuring alignment with long-term organizational goals.
• Technology Innovation. Identify emerging technologies and trends that can drive business growth and operational excellence. Lead the evaluation, selection, and adoption of appropriate technologies, including cloud solutions, cybersecurity tools, and data analytics platforms.
• Operational Excellence. Oversee the design, implementation, and management of robust IT systems, infrastructure, and processes. Streamline workflows to enhance efficiency, scalability, and reliability across all IT functions.
• Cybersecurity and Risk Management. Maintain a comprehensive cybersecurity framework to safeguard the organization’s digital assets. Develop and enforce security policies, oversee risk assessments, and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations. Leverage your CISSP certification to guide the security strategy.
• Team Leadership. Lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse team of IT professionals. Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment that encourages professional growth and knowledge sharing.
• Vendor Management. Collaborate with external vendors, partners, and service providers to ensure effective delivery of IT services, solutions, and products. Negotiate contracts and manage vendor relationships to optimize value.
• Budget Oversight. Develop and manage the IT budget, ensuring prudent allocation of resources to support strategic initiatives, projects, and day-to-day operations.
• Change Management. Drive IT-related change initiatives across the organization. Champion adoption of new technologies and processes, ensuring smooth transitions and minimal disruptions.
• Stakeholder Communication. Communicate IT strategies, progress, and results to executive leadership, board members, and other key stakeholders. Translate complex technical concepts into clear business insights.
• Governance and Compliance. Establish and enforce IT governance frameworks, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards.
• Directly supervise, coach, lead and evaluate the IT YESS management staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned