Vice President of Operations and Organizational Excellence

Overview

Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Illinois (BGCNCIL) is preparing for its next era of transformational growth—expanding from 52 sites today to 100 sites serving thousands more youth across our region. 

The Vice President of Operations & Organizational Excellence exists to build the systems, teams, and infrastructure that make that growth possible—safely, sustainably, and at scale. 

This is not a “keep the trains running” role. This is a senior executive opportunity for an operations leader who knows how to design for growth, lead through complexity, and translate strategy into execution—while keeping kids, staff, and quality at the center of every decision. 

The VP of Operations is a core partner to the President & CEO, Board, and Executive Team, responsible for ensuring that as BGCNCIL grows, our program quality, operational discipline, and culture grow with it. 

Responsibilities

Operational Strategy & Scale 

• Design and lead an enterprise-wide operations strategy that supports growth from 52 to 100 sites 

• Build scalable systems, structures, and standards across programs, facilities, safety, staffing, and compliance 

• Translate organizational strategy into clear operational plans, timelines, and execution 

• Ensure consistency, quality, and safety across all sites while allowing for community-specific needs 

Program Quality, Safety & Excellence 

• Oversee operational aspects of program delivery to ensure high-quality, safe, and outcome-driven experiences 

• Use participation, outcome, and compliance data to evaluate effectiveness and drive continuous improvement 

• Ensure strong child safety practices, risk management, and regulatory compliance across all locations 

• Partner with program leaders to strengthen execution without micromanaging innovation 

People, Leadership & Culture 

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of directors and operational leaders 

• Establish clear expectations, accountability, and performance metrics 

• Build leadership capacity across sites through training, coaching, and professional development 

• Foster a culture of collaboration, trust, and continuous improvement aligned with BLUE values 

Facilities, Systems & Infrastructure 

• Oversee facilities operations, maintenance, and expansion planning 

• Ensure sites are safe, functional, welcoming, and ready to support growth 

• Lead operational planning for new site launches, transitions, and partnerships 

• Strengthen internal systems, workflows, and cross-department coordination 

Financial & Organizational Partnership 

• Partner with Finance on budget development, monitoring, and variance management 

• Ensure operational decisions are financially responsible and aligned with strategic priorities 

• Support Board committees and executive reporting related to operations, growth, and risk 

• Serve as a key thought partner to the President & CEO on organizational design and scaling strategy 

Community & External Partnerships 

• Build strong relationships with schools, community partners, families, and stakeholders 

• Represent the organization externally in ways that build trust and credibility 

• Support public-facing initiatives that reinforce BGCNCIL’s mission and reputation 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred 

• Minimum of 7–10 years of senior operations leadership experience, ideally in nonprofit, education, or multi-site organizations 

• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-location operations 

• Proven ability to build systems and teams that support rapid growth 

• Strong people leadership, communication, and organizational skills 

• Experience partnering with executive leadership and boards 

• Commitment to mission-driven work and youth development 

If you are an operational leader who believes great systems create great futures—and you’re ready to help scale a mission that changes lives—we invite you to join the BLUE Crew.