Description

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – LOUISVILLE YOUTH GROUP (Louisville, KY)

Louisville Youth Group, Inc. (LYG) empowers LGBTQIA+ youth to grow into healthy, resilient leaders through community connection, life-skills education, and social advocacy.

LYG strives to be:

A Brave Space – A transformative community that fosters courageous growth, encouraging youth to expand self-awareness, develop new perspectives, increase empathy, and cultivate hope.

Youth-Centered – Rooted in the needs, interests, and lived experiences of young people and guided by their leadership and direction.

Community-Minded – Instilling respect and responsibility for our world and one another through service, advocacy, and activism.

Anti-Racist – Actively working to dismantle racism within ourselves, our organization, and our broader community.

Louisville Youth Group is seeking its next Executive Director.

The Executive Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the organization, overseeing all human and financial resources necessary to advance LYG’s mission. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is accountable for organizational performance, implementation of Board-approved policies, and overall sustainability. As the public face of LYG, the Executive Director represents the organization with integrity and clarity to youth, families, staff, donors, and the broader community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

LEADERSHIP & RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING

       Champion and implement the mission, vision, and values of Louisville Youth Group (LYG).

       Serve as the primary ambassador for LYG, communicating its mission, programs, and impact to the community.

       Lead, supervise, develop, and support a diverse team of staff, volunteers, and interns.

       Cultivate strategic partnerships with community organizations, nonprofits, and stakeholders to strengthen programming, visibility, and funding opportunities.

       Partner with the Board Chair to recruit, engage, and support an effective Board of Directors.

       Coordinate and attend monthly Board and Committee meetings (Development, Finance, Nominating, Executive).

       Conduct regular staff evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and professional development.

       Maintain knowledge of best practices and emerging trends in youth development, particularly for LGBTQIA+ youth.

       Maintain professionalism and appropriate boundaries with youth, families, staff, Board members, and community partners.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & FUNDRAISING

       Develop and manage the annual budget in collaboration with the Finance Committee, Development Committees, and Youth Leadership Council.

       Oversee payroll and financial operations.

       Oversee grant identification, submission, compliance, and reporting.

       Lead fundraising campaigns and events to increase revenue and deepen community support.

       Produce and present monthly and annual financial reports to the Board.

       Cultivate and steward relationships with individual and corporate donors.

OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT

       Assess and strengthen LYG’s organizational infrastructure, policies, and procedures, ensuring compliance in partnership with the Board.

       Implement best practices in nonprofit management and youth development to ensure operational excellence and the physical and emotional safety of all stakeholders.

       Oversee implementation of in-house and off-site programming. 

       Support staff development to increase effectiveness, engagement, and retention.

       Report regularly to the Board on organizational activities, finances, and strategic priorities; communicate urgent matters as needed.

       Maintain accurate and up-to-date organizational and program records.

Other duties as required.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

       Leadership: Lead teams, projects, and Board relationships to support and grow LYG.

       Strategic Thinking: Develop and implement standards, systems, and workflows that improve organizational effectiveness.

       Decision-Making: Set strategic goals aligned with mission and vision; exercise sound judgment and discretion.

       Partnership Building: Develop and sustain collaborative relationships with the Board and community stakeholders to expand programming, visibility, and funding.

QUALIFICATIONS

       Strong commitment to the wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ communities, particularly LGBTQIA+ youth, and to social justice principles.

       Experience in nonprofit operations; experience with 501(c)(3) and/or 501(c)(4) organizations preferred.

       Demonstrated expertise in youth development (e.g., community-based, social justice, holistic, or asset-based models).

       Proven team leadership and communication skills.

       Demonstrated success in fundraising, development strategy, team leadership, and grant writing.

       Familiarity with research methods and data analysis.

       Proficiency in Google Workspace.

       Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; Master’s degree preferred; Comparable experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.