Job Description
Job Title: Chief People and Culture Officer (CPCO) POSITION SUMMARY: The Chief People and Culture Officer (CPCO) is a key member of the executive leadership team at the YMCA Southcoast. This position is responsible for developing and leading a comprehensive people strategy that attracts, develops, engages, and retains top talent while fostering a thriving culture rooted in the Y’s values and mission.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Chief People and Culture Officer will:
- Lead Culture & Strategy
- Champion an inclusive, mission-driven, and high-performance culture aligned with the YMCA’s values.
- Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the CEO and executive leadership on culture, equity, leadership, and organizational health.
- Leadership & Learning Development
- Design and implement leadership and learning development initiatives to build the next generation of YMCA leaders.
- Advance strategies to strengthen executive, manager, and staff capacity through training, coaching, mentorship, and continuous learning pathways.
- Talent Management & HR Operations
- Oversee all aspects of talent acquisition, recruitment, onboarding, and retention to build a diverse, engaged, and mission-driven workforce.
- Ensure effective and compliant administration of employee benefits, compensation, HRIS systems, and workforce policies.
- Provide leadership and support in employee relations, conflict resolution, and organizational change management.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
- Drive organizational commitment to equity and inclusion, ensuring practices, policies, and leadership behaviors align with YMCA values.
- Embed DEI principles into all people processes, including hiring, professional development, and employee engagement.
- Organizational Health & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and YMCA standards, including risk management and safety.
- Oversee workers’ compensation, unemployment, and related processes.
QUALIFICATIONS: - Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Organizational Development, Business, or related field – preferred, Master degree is a bonus.
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in human resources, organizational development, or people strategy.
- Experience designing and leading leadership development and learning strategies.
- SHRM-SCP or HRCI Senior Professional certification strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated success in building organizational culture, leading change, and driving employee engagement.
- Knowledge of employment law, benefits administration, HRIS systems, and workforce compliance.
- Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups and build inclusive teams.
- Excellent planning, organization, and communication skills.
- YMCA leadership certification preferred or commitment to obtain within two years.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.
YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: - Critical Thinking & Decision Making
- Inclusion & Belonging
- Communication & Influence
- Emotional Maturity
- Developing Self & Others
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS: - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.
- The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
BENEFITS: - Health, Dental and Vision insurance
- YMCA Retirement – 12% match after 2 yrs of service
- Life & Long-Term Disability Insurance
- YMCA Southcoast Association Membership (includes Nationwide membership)
- Vacation, holidays and generous sick time
Job Tags
Local area,