YMCA of the Triangle is seeking our next Director of Operational Risk based in Raleigh, NC.
Job Description The Director of Operational Risk – Volunteerism, Membership, & Sports leads the integration of association-wide operational risk management with volunteer compliance, membership operations, and sports safety initiatives across all branches, programs, and camps. This role develops strategies to mitigate risk, strengthen organizational readiness, and support a safe and inclusive environment through comprehensive planning, training, and partnership with Membership, Wellness, Group Exercise, Sports, and program, branch, and camp leadership. The Director also provides guidance during incidents, supports coordinated response efforts, and ensures risk‑aligned practices across high‑engagement programs and volunteer activities.
In collaboration with the Senior Director of Operational Risk and the Risk Management team, the Director contributes to the development of association‑level risk mitigation strategies. The Director works closely with branches, camps, and Association Resource Center departments to assess risks, identify and resolve operational or compliance gaps, support volunteer credentialing processes, and provide ongoing coaching and resources to program, branch, and overnight camp staff.
As the Association’s lead for operational risk policies, initiatives, and program guidance related to Volunteerism, Membership, Wellness, Group Exercise, and Sports, the Director serves as the primary risk liaison for these functional areas. The Director is responsible for advancing compliance, operational consistency, and safety practices in alignment with the mission, goals, and policies established by YMCA leadership, governing committees, and the Board of Directors.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or 3+ years of relevant experience in organizational or administrative support roles. Experience with risk management programs is a plus.
Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and support teams. Builds trust, provides clear direction, and helps people navigate change with confidence. Develops talent and leads effectively through ambiguity.
Experience working collaboratively with staff, volunteers, community partners, nonprofits, and government agencies. Builds strong relationships and influences outcomes through partnership and shared goals.
Strong planning and problem‑solving skills. Uses data to assess risk, track progress, ensure compliance, and communicate results clearly to leadership and teams. Focused on efficiency, stewardship, and continuous improvement.
Clear and effective communicator across written, verbal, and virtual platforms. Comfortable leading meetings, trainings, and presentations for diverse and multi‑generational audiences.
Highly organized and adaptable. Manages multiple priorities, meets deadlines, and stays focused in a fast‑paced environment.
Proficient in Microsoft 365 tools, including Excel, SharePoint, Teams, and Power BI. Learns new systems quickly and uses technology to support collaboration and informed decision‑making.
Approaches change and conflict with professionalism, empathy, and fairness. Creates space for open communication and inclusive problem‑solving.
Leads through collaboration and influence, fostering accountability, teamwork, and shared ownership of success.
Demonstrates strong alignment with the YMCA’s mission, values, and commitment to inclusion, belonging, and community impact. Acts with integrity and handles sensitive information with discretion.
Self‑directed and proactive. Works independently, takes initiative, and balances immediate needs with long‑term goals.
Essential Functions Risk Leadership & Strategy
Identify operational risk gaps and collaborate with other members of the Risk Management Department and association leaders to implement solutions that address and close gaps across Membership, Wellness, Group
Exercise, and Sports programs and Volunteer compliance. To protect and promote the YMCA brand, provides strategic vision, leadership, and counsel in Membership
Operational Risk areas, including membership, group exercise, wellness, sports, and volunteerism.
Partners with Association Leadership to ensure the safety and security of staff, members, participants, and association assets by adhering to Membership Program Risk protocols.
Policy, Compliance & Continuous Improvement
Works with ARC departments and Association Teams to ensure Membership Operational Risk policies align with internal continuous improvement efforts and are communicated effectively to all key stakeholders.
Assists in developing, implementing, and maintaining an effective compliance program, which includes policy development, audits, reporting on compliance, addressing audit findings, regulatory documentation, and establishing compliance monitoring programs.
Incident Response & Trend Analysis
Collaborates with association stakeholders to provide guidance on reported incidents at branches and programs, ensuring a consistent response, key stakeholder awareness of trends, and the identification of additional training or resources to support staff and minimize incidents.
Provides onsite logistical support during crises, in collaboration with the Senior Director of Operational Risk and the Marketing and Communications Department.
Training, Resources & Program Safety
Ensures branches and programs have up‑to‑date safety resources, including AEDs, crash bags, SEER card systems, resource books, Safe Place, and more, while ensuring staff are properly trained in their use.
Develops and implements in‑service training curricula at branches to ensure staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively utilize safety resources.
Ensures program safety guidelines are current, relevant, and incorporated into Program Guidelines, with consistent adherence across programs.
Volunteer Compliance & Credentialing
Provide education, training, and technical support to staff on the Volunteer Matters system, ensuring efficient volunteer onboarding and fostering compliance awareness across the organization. Offer support to potential volunteers via phone and email to assist in completing the onboarding process.
Create and manage a quarterly calendar to support branches in meeting volunteer credentialing requirements, ensuring timely and accurate compliance. Review volunteer applications daily to align applicants with appropriate projects, coordinating with branch staff for follow‑up and interviews.
Review proposed volunteer projects, engaging relevant Association leaders as needed to mitigate risks and ensure alignment with the organization’s mission. Uphold Volunteer Matters principles and guidelines, ensuring that all requested projects comply with age requirements, credential standards, and volunteer placement protocols.
Collaborate with branch staff to request potential volunteer lists, communicate the next steps for credential completion, and engage branch staff when compliance deadlines are not met. Support volunteer recruitment efforts by promoting credential compliance and facilitating seamless volunteer engagement.
Manage the Volunteer Matters database to ensure consistency in visual appearance and content. Generate accurate reports that demonstrate compliance and communicate the community impact of volunteer efforts. Provide annual reports to Y‑USA on volunteer demographics and impact.
Relationships & Communication
Work closely with leadership teams across branches to understand volunteerism needs, modeling relationship‑building skills in all interactions. Foster collaborative relationships with staff members, maintaining regular, clear, and concise communication.
Builds and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations, demonstrating strong relationship‑building skills in all interactions.
Ensures clear, concise, and regular communication within areas of responsibility.
Performs additional duties as assigned by the supervisor or COO.
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Job Description The Director of Operational Risk – Volunteerism, Membership, & Sports leads the integration of association-wide operational risk management with volunteer compliance, membership operations, and sports safety initiatives across all branches, programs, and camps. This role develops strategies to mitigate risk, strengthen organizational readiness, and support a safe and inclusive environment through comprehensive planning, training, and partnership with Membership, Wellness, Group Exercise, Sports, and program, branch, and camp leadership. The Director also provides guidance during incidents, supports coordinated response efforts, and ensures risk‑aligned practices across high‑engagement programs and volunteer activities.
In collaboration with the Senior Director of Operational Risk and the Risk Management team, the Director contributes to the development of association‑level risk mitigation strategies. The Director works closely with branches, camps, and Association Resource Center departments to assess risks, identify and resolve operational or compliance gaps, support volunteer credentialing processes, and provide ongoing coaching and resources to program, branch, and overnight camp staff.
As the Association’s lead for operational risk policies, initiatives, and program guidance related to Volunteerism, Membership, Wellness, Group Exercise, and Sports, the Director serves as the primary risk liaison for these functional areas. The Director is responsible for advancing compliance, operational consistency, and safety practices in alignment with the mission, goals, and policies established by YMCA leadership, governing committees, and the Board of Directors.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or 3+ years of relevant experience in organizational or administrative support roles. Experience with risk management programs is a plus.
Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and support teams. Builds trust, provides clear direction, and helps people navigate change with confidence. Develops talent and leads effectively through ambiguity.
Experience working collaboratively with staff, volunteers, community partners, nonprofits, and government agencies. Builds strong relationships and influences outcomes through partnership and shared goals.
Strong planning and problem‑solving skills. Uses data to assess risk, track progress, ensure compliance, and communicate results clearly to leadership and teams. Focused on efficiency, stewardship, and continuous improvement.
Clear and effective communicator across written, verbal, and virtual platforms. Comfortable leading meetings, trainings, and presentations for diverse and multi‑generational audiences.
Highly organized and adaptable. Manages multiple priorities, meets deadlines, and stays focused in a fast‑paced environment.
Proficient in Microsoft 365 tools, including Excel, SharePoint, Teams, and Power BI. Learns new systems quickly and uses technology to support collaboration and informed decision‑making.
Approaches change and conflict with professionalism, empathy, and fairness. Creates space for open communication and inclusive problem‑solving.
Leads through collaboration and influence, fostering accountability, teamwork, and shared ownership of success.
Demonstrates strong alignment with the YMCA’s mission, values, and commitment to inclusion, belonging, and community impact. Acts with integrity and handles sensitive information with discretion.
Self‑directed and proactive. Works independently, takes initiative, and balances immediate needs with long‑term goals.
Essential Functions Risk Leadership & Strategy
Identify operational risk gaps and collaborate with other members of the Risk Management Department and association leaders to implement solutions that address and close gaps across Membership, Wellness, Group
Exercise, and Sports programs and Volunteer compliance. To protect and promote the YMCA brand, provides strategic vision, leadership, and counsel in Membership
Operational Risk areas, including membership, group exercise, wellness, sports, and volunteerism.
Partners with Association Leadership to ensure the safety and security of staff, members, participants, and association assets by adhering to Membership Program Risk protocols.
Policy, Compliance & Continuous Improvement
Works with ARC departments and Association Teams to ensure Membership Operational Risk policies align with internal continuous improvement efforts and are communicated effectively to all key stakeholders.
Assists in developing, implementing, and maintaining an effective compliance program, which includes policy development, audits, reporting on compliance, addressing audit findings, regulatory documentation, and establishing compliance monitoring programs.
Incident Response & Trend Analysis
Collaborates with association stakeholders to provide guidance on reported incidents at branches and programs, ensuring a consistent response, key stakeholder awareness of trends, and the identification of additional training or resources to support staff and minimize incidents.
Provides onsite logistical support during crises, in collaboration with the Senior Director of Operational Risk and the Marketing and Communications Department.
Training, Resources & Program Safety
Ensures branches and programs have up‑to‑date safety resources, including AEDs, crash bags, SEER card systems, resource books, Safe Place, and more, while ensuring staff are properly trained in their use.
Develops and implements in‑service training curricula at branches to ensure staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively utilize safety resources.
Ensures program safety guidelines are current, relevant, and incorporated into Program Guidelines, with consistent adherence across programs.
Volunteer Compliance & Credentialing
Provide education, training, and technical support to staff on the Volunteer Matters system, ensuring efficient volunteer onboarding and fostering compliance awareness across the organization. Offer support to potential volunteers via phone and email to assist in completing the onboarding process.
Create and manage a quarterly calendar to support branches in meeting volunteer credentialing requirements, ensuring timely and accurate compliance. Review volunteer applications daily to align applicants with appropriate projects, coordinating with branch staff for follow‑up and interviews.
Review proposed volunteer projects, engaging relevant Association leaders as needed to mitigate risks and ensure alignment with the organization’s mission. Uphold Volunteer Matters principles and guidelines, ensuring that all requested projects comply with age requirements, credential standards, and volunteer placement protocols.
Collaborate with branch staff to request potential volunteer lists, communicate the next steps for credential completion, and engage branch staff when compliance deadlines are not met. Support volunteer recruitment efforts by promoting credential compliance and facilitating seamless volunteer engagement.
Manage the Volunteer Matters database to ensure consistency in visual appearance and content. Generate accurate reports that demonstrate compliance and communicate the community impact of volunteer efforts. Provide annual reports to Y‑USA on volunteer demographics and impact.
Relationships & Communication
Work closely with leadership teams across branches to understand volunteerism needs, modeling relationship‑building skills in all interactions. Foster collaborative relationships with staff members, maintaining regular, clear, and concise communication.
Builds and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations, demonstrating strong relationship‑building skills in all interactions.
Ensures clear, concise, and regular communication within areas of responsibility.
Performs additional duties as assigned by the supervisor or COO.
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