The YWCA is the oldest, autonomous women's membership organization in the world. As such, it has a strong and respected tradition of social change, community service and advocacy. Throughout its history, the YWCA has been in the forefront of most major movements in the United States as a pioneer in race and gender justice, and the empowerment of women. The YWCA has actively worked to eliminate racism and empower women since 1858. The YWCA was there through the women's suffrage movement. It held the first interracial conference in the South in 1915 and fought for civil rights and affirmative action.  The YWCA is on the leading edge, willing to act and move forward when it comes to what is important for the well-being of women and families in our community, in the nation and in the world. 
 
Young Women’s Christian Association of Aurora, Illinois (YWCA Aurora)
The YWCA Aurora was founded in 1893.  It was incorporated in October 1894 and later became a charter member of the YWCA of the USA in 1906.  Its first facility at 31 W. Downer Place provided members with a swimming pool, cafeteria, and safe rooming for women.  During that time, the YWCA focused on child care for women employed during World War II, youth camps and activities and a homemaker program for women.
 
In 1985, the YWCA moved to 201 N. River Street and focus shifted to licensed child care and children’s programs, after school programs, youth activities and camps, health and fitness and a USDA child and adult food program. It added a fitness center and the Lydia and Malcolm Jones Child Care Center at the River Street location in 1992 and 1997 respectively.  During the summer of 2010, the YWCA Aurora vacated the River Street location and moved its administrative offices to the Fred Rogers Community Center which housed a number of nonprofit agencies dedicated to enriching the lives of the Aurora community. Finally, in August 2014, the YWCA moved to the Aurora University campus.   
 
The YWCA of Aurora is dedicated to providing education and resources for women and youth for personal growth, leadership development, economic advancement and a better understanding and acceptance of racial equity and fighting for social justice.  The YWCA’s current operating strategy is to re-establish the YWCA in the Aurora community as a leader in the economic advancement/empowerment of women and the elimination of racism, through the following strategic goals:
 

• Provide a variety of mission-focused programs, services and events.  Programs will have a direct, measurable impact and will make notable progress toward eliminating racism and empowering women.
• Develop and launch revenue-generating plans and programs that include a variety of fundraising avenues (major gifts, annual giving, bequests, fee for service programs and others).
• Recruit and develop a diverse and committed Board of Directors.
• Re-establish a positive public image for the YWCA Aurora and our position in the community.

 
 
The Opportunity: Executive Director
 
The Executive Director is committed to the causes of the YWCA – the elimination of racism and the economic empowerment of women – and ensures that programs and services are in line with its strategic vision and goals.  The successful candidate will serve as the chief executive focused on stewarding resources to implement the vision, brand, mission and strategy of the YWCA Aurora.  This role provides an opportunity to bring creative leadership and vision to re-establish the YWCA’s position as a beacon in the community, while simultaneously implementing new strategies to further the organization’s strategic goals.
 
The YWCA Aurora seeks an energetic, accomplished senior professional to serve as its Executive Director.  The ED will provide executive leadership to all functions of the organization, which has an annual budget of approximately $420,000, in addition to a $5 million dollar endowment.  This position currently supervises three staff members in the areas of development and programming.  The ED will lead strategic efforts to inform and educate volunteers, donors, prospective donors, and the larger community about the mission and unique impact of the YWCA Aurora; oversee and ensure implementation of all programs; direct the YWCA’s fund development function; and enhance the public image of the YWCA Aurora.  The Executive Director will create and maintain highly productive relationships with board members, staff, volunteers, community partners, and clients. 
 
Performance Objectives
 
Visionary Leadership

• Provide leadership in the formulation and successful execution of YWCA goals and strategies in furtherance of YWCA priorities and mission-based programs and services, including: advocacy for women, girls and persons of color focused on the elimination of racism, social justice, domestic violence and prevention, financial literacy and other women’s empowerment initiatives.
• Provide collaborative leadership in maintaining a positive and productive organizational culture among the Board, volunteers and YWCA staff.
• Serve as a community leader by building and maintaining relationships with other organizations and the broader Aurora community.
• Work with the Board of Directors to implement a strategic planning process with long-range and short-range goals and objectives, which identify the needs of women, girls and persons of color and addresses these through program and services, public policy and advocacy.
• Create YWCA’s annual business plan with measurable outcomes, programmatic and fundraising strategies, and budgets.

 
Board Relations

• Work collaboratively with the Board in the development and implementation of the organization’s goals and strategic vision.
• Support Board governance and development initiatives to ensure that all of the organization’s fiduciaries are able to provide the skills and experience to lead the organization toward its vision.  
• Ensure that the YWCA Board Members and volunteers are kept fully informed of the status of the organization and all important factors influencing it.
• Ensure that efficient and effective staff support is provided to each of YWCA’s committees and for all board activities.
• Provide training and ongoing education in Board and volunteer fundraising practices.

 
 
Community Outreach & External Relations

• Effectively represent the programs and point of view of the YWCA Aurora to individuals, agencies, organizations and the general public, both in Aurora and the greater Fox River Valley
• Ensure that programs are mission driven, in line with strategic plan goals, and are in support of the needs and purpose of the YWCA.
• Work collaboratively with staff and the Board of Directors to ensure consistent messaging and branding in all written, electronic, and verbal communications, assuring that the YWCA is a highly professional organization and a valued human service agency throughout the community.
• Serve as the “face” of YWCA Aurora and train other senior volunteer and staff members to do the same so that the organization maintains a strong presence.
• Raise the profile of this premier women’s organization, while supporting the initiatives and needs of the clients it serves in the community.
• Develop and maintain good relations with private foundations, local corporations, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic individuals throughout the community.
• Create new and innovative marketing and outreach strategies using technology and social networks in order to increase visibility of the organization for new and existing audiences.

 
 
Internal and Financial Management

• Lead, develop, and build a highly effective and productive professional staff that provides exceptional support to all of the organizations stakeholders.
• Provide the YWCA Program Directors with assistance in strategy development, outcomes-based goal setting, implementation timelines, evaluation guidelines, and budgeting.
• Facilitate positive employee relations and resolve employee conflicts and grievances.
• Promote and encourage professional growth and development of staff through education and training opportunities as appropriate.
• Attract, motivate and empower a staff of top quality people through a lens of openness, flexibility, and mentorship.

• Maintain overall responsibility for all aspects of fiscal management, including ensuring adequate financial stability for current operating obligations and long-term sustainability. 
• Provide staff leadership to the Board as it relates to (1) the budgeting process, (2) the timely and accurate reporting of the organization’s financial position and (3) maintaining effective fiscal controls and policies.
• Ensure that the organization remains in compliance with all Federal, State and local laws, regulations and reporting requirements.

 
Fundraising & Development

• In conjunction with the Board of Directors, establish short and long term fundraising goals.
• Oversee and develop all aspects of fundraising, including, but not limited to, annual giving, planned giving, future capital campaigns, and corporate and foundation relations.
• Identify and cultivate major prospective donors and ensure stewardship of all significant gifts.
• Nurture and expand the donor base as a foundation for both greater unrestricted support as well as effective advocacy support as needed.

 
 
The Qualified Candidate:
 
The YWCA Aurora seeks a mission-driven executive with strong programmatic, interpersonal, management, and leadership skills.  The successful candidate will have at least 10+ years of progressive leadership experience, and will be a goal-oriented, accomplished leader who is passionate and committed to the YWCA’s mission and values the diversity of all people within the organization and the communities it serves.  Familiarity with the types of mission-focused programs and services offered by the YWCA is important.  These programs and services include childcare and education, domestic violence and prevention, sexual assault, social justice, and economic empowerment programs.  Knowledge of the Aurora community and philanthropic marketplace is preferred, but not required.  The Executive Director serves as the primary spokesperson for the YWCA in interactions with donors, partners, and other Aurora institutions and community leaders, therefore, Specific requirements include:
 

• Passion for and commitment to the YWCA and its mission to eliminate racism and empower women, augmented by demonstrated experience in programmatic and mission-related areas.
• A proven track record of success and demonstrated competency in working with diverse populations.
• Strong analytic and strategic-thinking skills, with demonstrated ability to create, implement and monitor complex plans, and translate those plans into goals and concrete strategies to achieve effective mission delivery.
• Career track record that shows stability with an organization and capacity to develop and nurture relationships culminating in overall success.
• Ability to work successfully with Board of Directors and other volunteers as well as civic and business leaders in a collaborative and effective manner.
• Demonstrated business and financial acumen in programmatic and operational areas of not-for-profit organizations.
• Ability to work well under pressure and respond to client/constituency crises.
• Demonstrated ability to publicly represent an organization to multiple constituencies and stakeholder groups.
• Proven success in building and maintain high performance professional staff teams through mentoring and other types of staff development.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of 10 or more years of successful experience in nonprofit leadership and management.

 
This position offers a competitive salary and benefits. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.
The YWCA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria.
 
To Apply
 
This search is being managed by Evette L. Simon, SPHR, Vice President, Heather A. Eddy, CFRE, President and CEO, and Kelly C. Monahan, Senior Associate of Alford Executive Search.  To apply, candidates must complete the online application by clicking the link at the bottom of the page and thereon submit their cover letter and resume.  To assure confidential tracking of all applicants, no applications will be accepted via email. Questions may be addressed to Ms. Monahan at kmonahan@alfordexecutivesearch.com.
 
Alford Executive Search, a division of KEES (www.alfordexecutivesearch.com) is a retained search firm dedicated to providing recruitment services of exceptional quality and strengthening the not-for-profit community through professional staffing solutions.
 
YWCA of the USA
Located in Washington, DC, the National Office of the YWCA USA works to enhance the organization’s collective presence and advance the agenda of all local YWCAs across the United   States.  It does this through strategic and organizational development work, advocacy efforts, an energetic marketing and branding focus, enhanced fundraising activities, and through alliances with other organization and through its membership in the World YWCA.
 
The World YWCA is a global network of women leading social and economic change in over 120 countries worldwide. The World YWCA advocates for peace, justice, human rights and care for the environment. Its headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland.