Chief Operating Officer

Join the YMCA Team

Be the Spark Join our professional and passionate team and be the spark that ignites the potential in others.

Our culture is of paramount importance to us. We formally measure employee engagement annually to ensure our employees are having an excellent employment experience. Our current level of engagement is 80%, compared to some Canadian employer statistics of 69%.

YMCA of Southwestern Ontario was founded in 1856 and has over 200 locations from Goderich to Point Pelee, and Windsor to Woodstock. We are one of the largest not-for-profit providers of licensed child care in Canada and have over 100 school age programs across our regions. We also offer settlement services to newcomers, employment programs, mental health support, and youth programs. YMCA of Southwestern Ontario operates two overnight camps, one in Point Pelee National Park, and one on Beausoleil Island in Muskoka. We also have 15 Health & Fitness branches across Southwestern Ontario.

Why The Y? 

At the Y, our people are central to delivering our mission. We are committed to the development of healthy communities and welcome people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and abilities.

We provide valuable training and development opportunities to help our team members grow professionally and personally.

 We look for the following qualities in all of our employees and volunteers:

• Demonstrates our Core Values; Caring, Honesty, Respect & Responsibility and Inclusivity
• Fun, Enthusiastic & Friendly Individuals
• Hardworking and Dependable
• Positive Role Model
• Team Player
• Professionalism
• Enjoy working in a Social Environment
• Ability to effectively communicate with Employees & Members 

Employees and volunteers of YMCA of Southwestern Ontario are ambassadors for the Y both on and off the job. We rely on them to help share our mission and increase awareness of the positive impact the Y can have on the lives of people in their communities. Particularly how we are helping to create healthy children, healthy families, and healthy communities.

All employees and volunteers are required to provide a current satisfactory Criminal Record and may require a Vulnerable Sector Search as a condition of their employment. Police Record checks are reviewed on an individual basis, and the offense(s) - if any - is considered in the decision-making process in relation to the requirements of the position, therefore not eliminating all candidates with a record from being offered gainful employment.

Position: Chief Operating Officer

Summary:  The Chief Operating Officer, is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and reports to the CEO on all matters related to operations. The position includes direct line supervision of the operations Vice Presidents. The position carries Association-wide responsibility.

Location: London, Ontario - hybrid role

Start Date: January 1, 2026

Compensation: $185,000 - $200,000

As part of your total compensation:

• Receive a complimentary YMCA personal membership to our Health & Fitness facilities, and discounts on YMCA child care and camp programs 
• Access vacation entitlement in accordance with the employment standards regulations, and up to 12 paid personal days annually
• Benefits package and Pension, applicable with position/contract length
• Be part of a caring and supportive network of people to help each other succeed
• Complimentary access to wellness and counselling services
• Contribute to real, meaningful impact in the lives of children and youth

Schedule: 

• This role primarily works Monday - Friday
• This role is available on call for emergency situations 24/7, 365 days per year
• Considerable driving between sites within Southwestern Ontario

In this role, you will:

• Be accountable for achieving operational budgets related to the operational areas.
• Provide leadership to the Association through managing complexity and planning/implementation of both strategic direction and tactical implementation
• The Chief Operating Officer must be able to recognize patterns of behaviour and interactions among systems and to be able to set a clear direction from complex and conflicting information
• A focus of the Chief Operating Officer responsibilities relates to coaching and supporting Operation VPs as well as providing leadership to change management related to the implementation of Association-wide initiatives
• Be accountable for ensuring plans and support systems are in place within their assigned business areas so as to achieve the annual giving campaign goals for the above branches
• This position requires the highest level of strategic direction and analysis related to the identification and resolution of problems as well as the development and implementation of solutions that lead to the achievement of the Association vision

Education & Skills Qualifications:

• Post secondary education in a related field
• 10 years of progressive management at a senior leadership level 
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• High emotional intelligence (i.e. self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, social skills)
• Business computer skills
• Strong business finance acumen
• Must provide a current criminal record check as per the Association's policy
• Must maintain a valid driver's license and passport

To Apply:

• Include in your submission your specialized experience, and why you are the best candidate for this role
• The job posting deadline closes at midnight on November 16, 2025

We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

NOTE: The YMCA of Southwestern Ontario is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for all stakeholders including our members/participants, employees, job applicants, suppliers, and any visitors who may enter our premises, access our information, or use our services. As an organization, we respect and uphold the requirements set forth under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005), and its associated standards and regulations.

Candidates, please be advised that our recruitment process incorporates AI technology for initial application screening. This assists us in efficiently assessing qualifications. Rest assured, our recruiters will additionally review resumes to ensure a fair and accurate assessment is completed.