Apply on Employer Site

YMCA of the USA · 4 days ago

Chief People Officer (CPO)

Memphis, TN

Full-time

Onsite

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

5+ years exp

YMCA of the USA is seeking a Chief People Officer (CPO) to join their Executive Leadership Team. The CPO will provide strategic leadership for all aspects of people strategy, ensuring alignment with operational goals and fostering an exceptional employee experience.

Career PlanningCommunities

Responsibilities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Qualification

People strategyTalent acquisitionOrganizational developmentHR operationsLeadership developmentEmployee relationsWorkforce planningChange managementCompliance knowledgeCommunication skillsRelationship-building

Required

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