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Description:
The Chief People Officer (CPO) is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team (C-Suite), reporting directly to the President & CEO. The CPO provides strategic leadership and organizational vision for all aspects of people strategy, talent development, workforce systems, culture, and employee experience across the YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South. This position is responsible for creating and sustaining an exceptional employee experience that supports recruitment, retention, development, payroll, benefits, compliance, and employee relations. The CPO ensures that people strategy is fully aligned with the operational and business goals of every YMCA unit—including membership centers, centralized program areas, and community-based initiatives. The CPO champions a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and respect, ensuring the YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South remains an employer of choice across West Tennessee, North Mississippi, Eastern Arkansas, and expanding markets.
Strategic Leadership
Partner with the CEO and C‑Suite to shape and execute a comprehensive People & Culture Strategy aligned with the YMCA’s organizational strategic plan.
Collaborate with executive and business unit leaders to ensure people priorities support operational success, revenue growth, and mission advancement.
Serve as a senior advisor on organizational design, workforce planning, succession planning, leadership structure, and change management.
Lead long‑range workforce strategies that support the YMCA’s continued growth across multiple states and service areas.
Integrate people strategy with organizational KPIs to strengthen performance and accountability.
Employee Experience, Culture & Employee Relations
Champion an exceptional, mission‑driven employee experience across the YMCA.
Lead all employee relations functions, ensuring fair, consistent, transparent, and effective policies and practices.
Build systems and processes for proactive conflict resolution, investigations, employee support, and culture reinforcement.
Oversee initiatives that improve employee engagement, connection, retention, and organizational health.
Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and respect.
Drive programs that enhance staff well‑being, recognition, and organizational pride.
Talent Management, Recruitment & Workforce Development
Oversee talent acquisition and workforce development, ensuring the YMCA recruits and retains a skilled, diverse, mission‑aligned workforce.
Develop innovative recruitment strategies responsive to competitive labor markets. Ensure comprehensive onboarding, training, and orientation processes that prepare staff for long‑term success.
Lead the creation of leadership pathways, succession plans, and coaching programs to strengthen organizational capacity.
Partner with business units to anticipate workforce needs and build proactive recruitment strategies.
Retention, Growth & Performance
Lead strategies that support retention of top talent through advancement pathways, mentorship, and development opportunities.
Oversee the YMCA’s performance management systems to ensure alignment between employee goals and organizational strategy.
Create a high‑performance environment grounded in teamwork, innovation, and accountability.
Build leadership capacity at all levels through structured development programs and succession planning.
Leads, implements, and manages the overall training and development for all employees and business units.
People Operations, Payroll, Compensation & Compliance
Build and implement systems for policies across all YMCA operations.
Oversee payroll operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant processing for all employees.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and YMCA policies.
Oversee compensation, benefits, workforce analytics, and HRIS systems to ensure competitiveness, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility.
Manages operational parts of technology platforms and reporting systems to measure the success of people and culture initiatives.
Risk Management, Safety & Workforce Readiness
Partner with the General Counsel and Director of Risk & Compliance to ensure a safe and compliant workplace across all departments.
Ensure staff meet mandatory training requirements across the association
Support investigations, corrective actions, and risk communication systems.
Promote a culture of safety, preparedness, and comprehensive organizational responsibility.
Innovation & Organizational Growth
Lead innovation in HR systems, technologies, and practices to enhance workforce experience.
Introduce tools, systems, and best practices that elevate service delivery and improve operational efficiency.
Support strategic expansion by ensuring workforce structures align with current and future organizational needs.
Use HR data and analytics to drive decision‑making and continuous improvement.
Other Responsibilities
Build collaborative relationships with leaders across all departments.
Represent the YMCA in community partnerships, workforce initiatives, and professional associations.
Drive a people‑centered culture that supports mission impact and organizational excellence.
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 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 Blue Oval 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.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or related.
Minimum 5‑10+ years of progressive leadership experience in HR, people strategy, or organizational development, including 3+ years at the executive level.
Proven track record shaping culture, employee experience, relations, payroll, and engagement in complex organizations.
Expertise in talent acquisition, retention, workforce planning, and leadership development.
Strong knowledge of HR operations, compliance, and technology systems.
Exceptional relationship‑building, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Proven ability to lead large teams, drive organizational change, and deliver measurable results.
Strong alignment with the mission and values of the YMCA.
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Strategic Leadership
Partner with the CEO and C‑Suite to shape and execute a comprehensive People & Culture Strategy aligned with the YMCA’s organizational strategic plan.
Collaborate with executive and business unit leaders to ensure people priorities support operational success, revenue growth, and mission advancement.
Serve as a senior advisor on organizational design, workforce planning, succession planning, leadership structure, and change management.
Lead long‑range workforce strategies that support the YMCA’s continued growth across multiple states and service areas.
Integrate people strategy with organizational KPIs to strengthen performance and accountability.
Employee Experience, Culture & Employee Relations
Champion an exceptional, mission‑driven employee experience across the YMCA.
Lead all employee relations functions, ensuring fair, consistent, transparent, and effective policies and practices.
Build systems and processes for proactive conflict resolution, investigations, employee support, and culture reinforcement.
Oversee initiatives that improve employee engagement, connection, retention, and organizational health.
Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and respect.
Drive programs that enhance staff well‑being, recognition, and organizational pride.
Talent Management, Recruitment & Workforce Development
Oversee talent acquisition and workforce development, ensuring the YMCA recruits and retains a skilled, diverse, mission‑aligned workforce.
Develop innovative recruitment strategies responsive to competitive labor markets. Ensure comprehensive onboarding, training, and orientation processes that prepare staff for long‑term success.
Lead the creation of leadership pathways, succession plans, and coaching programs to strengthen organizational capacity.
Partner with business units to anticipate workforce needs and build proactive recruitment strategies.
Retention, Growth & Performance
Lead strategies that support retention of top talent through advancement pathways, mentorship, and development opportunities.
Oversee the YMCA’s performance management systems to ensure alignment between employee goals and organizational strategy.
Create a high‑performance environment grounded in teamwork, innovation, and accountability.
Build leadership capacity at all levels through structured development programs and succession planning.
Leads, implements, and manages the overall training and development for all employees and business units.
People Operations, Payroll, Compensation & Compliance
Build and implement systems for policies across all YMCA operations.
Oversee payroll operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant processing for all employees.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and YMCA policies.
Oversee compensation, benefits, workforce analytics, and HRIS systems to ensure competitiveness, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility.
Manages operational parts of technology platforms and reporting systems to measure the success of people and culture initiatives.
Risk Management, Safety & Workforce Readiness
Partner with the General Counsel and Director of Risk & Compliance to ensure a safe and compliant workplace across all departments.
Ensure staff meet mandatory training requirements across the association
Support investigations, corrective actions, and risk communication systems.
Promote a culture of safety, preparedness, and comprehensive organizational responsibility.
Innovation & Organizational Growth
Lead innovation in HR systems, technologies, and practices to enhance workforce experience.
Introduce tools, systems, and best practices that elevate service delivery and improve operational efficiency.
Support strategic expansion by ensuring workforce structures align with current and future organizational needs.
Use HR data and analytics to drive decision‑making and continuous improvement.
Other Responsibilities
Build collaborative relationships with leaders across all departments.
Represent the YMCA in community partnerships, workforce initiatives, and professional associations.
Drive a people‑centered culture that supports mission impact and organizational excellence.
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 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 Blue Oval 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.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or related.
Minimum 5‑10+ years of progressive leadership experience in HR, people strategy, or organizational development, including 3+ years at the executive level.
Proven track record shaping culture, employee experience, relations, payroll, and engagement in complex organizations.
Expertise in talent acquisition, retention, workforce planning, and leadership development.
Strong knowledge of HR operations, compliance, and technology systems.
Exceptional relationship‑building, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Proven ability to lead large teams, drive organizational change, and deliver measurable results.
Strong alignment with the mission and values of the YMCA.
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