Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

The Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) is a critical member of the YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South’s C-Suite, reporting directly to the President & CEO. The CSO provides strategic leadership for organizational planning, alignment, marketing, communications, and enterprise-wide innovation. This role is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring the YMCA’s multi-year strategic plan, ensuring that every business unit and department is aligned around the association’s mission, priorities, and long-term goals. The CSO serves as the architect and champion of organizational strategy, operational alignment, brand excellence, and performance measurement. This leader ensures that marketing, communications, and organizational strategy work seamlessly together to advance mission impact, financial sustainability, and community awareness.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Lead the development, execution, and continuous refinement of the YMCA’s strategic plan.
• Ensure organizational alignment across all business units, departments, and leadership teams.
• Partner with the CEO to translate strategy into operational execution, measurable outcomes, and clear priorities.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to improve coordination, effectiveness, and mission impact across the association.
• Develop and Monitor organizational performance through dashboards, milestones, and KPI frameworks.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) & Data Strategy

• Develop, implement, and monitor KPIs that align with organizational priorities and business unit goals.
• Ensure operational metrics are established, accurate, and actionable across the organization.
• Provide strategic insights to guide decision-making, resource deployment, growth priorities, and program sustainability.
• Ensure transparency and accountability across the organization through consistent reporting.

Marketing & Communications Leadership

• Provide executive leadership for Marketing & Communications to ensure unified, mission-driven messaging.
• Develop and implement a coordinated association-wide marketing strategy that strengthens brand identity and community visibility.
• Ensure brand alignment, visual consistency, and effective messaging across all departments.
• Drive internal and external communication strategies that enhance engagement and public relations.

Brand Standards, Culture, & Behavior Change

• Create and maintain brand standards that reflect excellence and mission alignment.
• Support leadership in embedding behaviors and cultural expectations that strengthen performance and community trust.
• Lead culture-based initiatives that reinforce high expectations for service, communication, and organizational representation.

Program & Organizational Development

• Serve as the lead project manager for association-wide initiatives and program-specific development.
• Ensure innovation, sustainability, and long-term planning are integrated into program design and operations.
• Coordinate development processes that support expansion, improvement, and scaling of high-impact programs.
• Support new opportunities, partnerships, and strategic initiatives that advance organizational growth.

Internal & External Communications

• Lead communication strategies that support internal alignment, staff engagement, and executive messaging.
• Prepare materials, presentations, and communications for the CEO and executive team.
• Ensure clear, timely, and mission-aligned communication across the association.

Other Responsibilities

• Represent the YMCA in community partnerships, workforce initiatives, and professional associations.
• Develop cross-functional collaboration with HR, Finance, Marketing, and Operations to align priorities.
• Create and implement policies and procedures that drive consistency, accountability, and excellence.
• Engage in continuous professional development to stay informed of emerging trends and best practices.

Perform all other duties as assigned by the President & CEO.

ABOUT THE YMCA OF MEMPHIS & THE MID-SOUTH

The YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South is a high-impact, purpose-driven nonprofit transforming communities across West Tennessee, Eastern Arkansas, and North Mississippi, with strategic growth into Little Rock and the broader Mid-South. Guided by a bold vision for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, we deliver innovative programs that touch thousands of lives annually. This is a rare opportunity for a visionary leader to drive meaningful change, shape strategy, expand organizational impact, and create a lasting legacy in a thriving, forward-moving organization.

Operational Scope & Impact

Major Operational Business Units

? Membership & Program Centers

? Philanthropy & Mission Advancement

? USDA Child Nutrition Program

? Centralized Youth Development: Before & After School Care, Y-Achievers, Y-CAP, Teen Leadership & Engagement, Summer Camps ? Early Learning Centers

? Workforce Development & Community Support Initiatives

Key Organizational Facts

? Annual Operating Budget: $70 million — projected to grow to $100 million in the near future

? Total Employees: Over 3,000

? Total People Served Annually: More than 250,000 children, adults, and families

Youth Development & Childcare Impact

? Before & After School Care: Serving over 8,000 children annually

? Before & After School Sites: 160 sites across multiple counties and school districts

? Early Learning Centers: 6 current centers, plus 1 new center under construction (opening 2027)

Membership Centers & Growth

? Current Membership Centers: 12 operating centers

? New Center Opening: 1 new center opening in 2026

? Centers Under Construction: 2 additional centers scheduled for completion and opening in 2027

USDA Child Nutrition Program

? Serves approximately 40,000 meals per week

? Over 1 million meals served annually

ABOUT OUR REGION

Memphis and the Mid-South offer an exceptional quality of life for leaders seeking purpose, community, and opportunity. One of America’s most culturally significant and fastest-growing regions, Memphis blends affordability, authenticity, and impact like few places can.

A City with Heart and Global Influence

Known worldwide as the birthplace of blues, soul, and rock ’n’ roll — and home to Graceland — Memphis offers unmatched cultural depth. From Beale Street to the National Civil Rights Museum, the city celebrates history, creativity, and innovation.

Affordable, Livable, Connected

Memphis is consistently ranked among the nation’s most affordable metros, with low housing costs, short commute times, and a cost of living that lets families and professionals enjoy more of what matters — vibrant neighborhoods, great food, arts, and recreation.

Community-Driven and Family-Friendly

The Mid-South is warm, welcoming, and community-minded. Residents enjoy premier amenities such as Shelby Farms Park, the Memphis Zoo, the Memphis Grizzlies, world-famous barbecue, and abundant access to outdoor recreation.

A Region on the Rise

Major investments from Ford’s BlueOval City, FedEx, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and others are fueling growth across healthcare, logistics, education, and innovation. The YMCA is deeply engaged in this momentum and expanding its reach across the region.

A Place to Make a Real Difference

For mission-driven leaders, Memphis offers the opportunity to create visible, lasting impact. Collaboration across government, business, and nonprofit sectors makes it a powerful place to innovate and lead change.

Memphis is more than a city — it’s a community driven by purpose, passion, and possibility. It’s an ideal home for leaders ready to build, grow, and make a meaningful difference.

YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

Mission Advancement: Reinforces the Y’s values within the organization and the community. Effectively communicates the benefits and impact of the Y’s efforts for all stakeholders.

Collaboration: Builds and nurtures strategic relationships to enhance support for the Y. Serves as a community leader building collaboration based on trust and credibility to advance the Y’s mission and goals. Communicates for influence to attain buy-in and support of goals. Provides tools and resources for the development of others.

Operational Effectiveness: Integrates multiple thinking processes to make decisions. Involves staff at all levels in the development of programs and activities. Ensures execution of plans. Institutes sound accounting procedures and financial controls. Assigns clear accountability and ensures continuous improvement.

Personal Growth: Fosters a learning environment embracing diverse abilities and approaches. Creates a sense of urgency and positive tension to support change. Has the functional and The Y: We’re for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. 3 technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology. Behavioral Characteristics: Welcoming, Nurturing, Determined, Hopeful, and Genuine.

PAY RANGE: $185,000 - 250,000

Relocation Assistance Included

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Strategy, Communications, or related
• Preferred 5-10+ years of progressive leadership experience in strategy, operations, marketing, communications, or organizational development.
• Proven experience developing and implementing strategic plans and KPI frameworks.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams, managing complex projects, and driving organizational alignment.
• Strong experience in marketing, brand management, and communication strategy.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to influence, motivate, and collaborate with diverse teams.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the YMCA.

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