Strategic Partner to the President CEO at YMCA of Central New York

Description

A Career with a Cause:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our

cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. Our mission is to put

Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for

all. The Y strengthens the foundations of communities and families through our key areas of focus;

youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility and our core values of caring,

honesty, respect, and responsibility. We are committed to this cause because a strong community is

achieved when we invest in our children, health, neighbors, and values.

We Are Welcoming We Are Open To All. We Are a Place Where You Can Belong And Grow. We Are Genuine

we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential

to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your

full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our

community stronger beginning with you.

Position Summary

The Strategic Partner to the President & CEO serves as a trusted advisor, strategic liaison, and

operational backbone to the President & CEO while supporting the broader Executive Leadership Team.

This role blends executive-level support, strategic outreach, governance coordination, and

community engagement to ensure the CEO’s time and focus remain on high-impact priorities.

In addition to managing scheduling, preparation, and communication, the Strategic Partner amplifies

the CEO’s external presence, opening doors for collaboration, visibility, and investment in the

YMCA’s mission. Acting as a trusted extension of the Executive Office, this individual ensures

alignment across executive priorities, board relations, and community engagement.

The Strategic Partner to the President & CEO is a polished relationship builder and proactive

problem solver, equally comfortable navigating executive, philanthropic, and public settings.

Through professionalism, discretion, and empathy, the Strategic Partner strengthens the CEO’s

ability to lead effectively, connect authentically, and advance the organization’s strategic goals

while upholding the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Essential Functions

Executive Support & Strategic Readiness

• Manage the CEO’s complex calendar with a focus on aligning time with leadership priorities, donor relations, and community visibility.
• Prepare agendas, briefing books, bios, talking points, and post-meeting follow-ups for all CEO meetings and events.
• Anticipate the CEO’s needs, proactively resolving scheduling conflicts and sensitive issues with discretion.
• Draft and edit correspondence, presentations, and reports reflecting the CEO’s leadership tone and organizational mission.
• Coordinate executive travel, expense reconciliation, and logistics to ensure seamless operations.
  
  

Governance & Board Relations

• Serve as the administrative liaison to the Board of Directors and Board Committees, ensuring timely and accurate preparation of materials, minutes, and follow-ups.
• Maintain accurate corporate and governance records in accordance with YMCA and regulatory standards.
• Partner with the President and CEO to ensure alignment between Board priorities and organizational goals.
  
  

Strategic Outreach & Community Engagement

• Represent the CEO in select meetings and community events to build goodwill and advance strategic relationships.
• Support donor cultivation, stewardship, and follow-up communications to deepen community partnerships.
• Track engagement across key external relationships, ensuring consistent communication and timely action.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Development teams to amplify the CEO’s external visibility and thought leadership.
• Champion and elevate key initiatives that advance the organization’s mission and strategic priorities.
  
  

Executive Communication & Relationship Management

• Serve as a trusted point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, exercising confidentiality, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
• Manage external correspondence to ensure alignment with the CEO’s vision and the YMCA’s values.
• Support the development of internal communications to ensure consistent messaging and transparency.
  
  

Event & Initiative Support

• Coordinate logistics for high-visibility events involving donors, civic leaders, or community partners.
• Collaborate cross-departmentally on organizational events, fundraising campaigns, and CEO-led initiatives.
• Track and report progress on executive commitments and major projects.
  
  

Requirements

YMCA Leadership Competencies:

• Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in such a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y’s cause.
• Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.
• Volunteerism: Engages volunteers and promotes social responsibility at all levels of the organization.
• Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgment.
• Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence.
  
  

Experience, Education, And Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, business or equivalent preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365.
• Knowledgeable about office processes and procedures.
• Ability to work with integrity, discretion, and a professional approach.
• Skilled in relationship management, diplomacy, and strategic follow-through.
• Preferred knowledge of, and previous experience with, diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage a senior leader’s office with confidentiality, discretion, order, and organization; prioritize conflicting needs; handle matters expeditiously and proactively; follow through on projects to successful completion, often with deadline pressures; initiate and complete tasks; provide leadership over the look, branding, and organization of the office.
• Excellent interpersonal skills are critical and essential to the success of this position.
• Demonstrates excellent planning, organizational, time management, and attention to detail skills, with the ability to multi- task with minimal direction.
• Possess and demonstrate excellent customer service, decision-making, problem solving, team oriented, and critical thinking skills.