Chief People and Culture Officer (CPCO)

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