Title: Executive Director

Status: Full-time (Salaried, exempt)

Compensation: $70,000 - $80,000 DOE

Location: New Orleans, LA

About YLC: Young Leadership Council is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, civic organization that develops young professionals into leaders through community projects. Through volunteer-led community projects, YLC recruits and retains young professionals to New Orleans, and creates a positive impact on quality of life in the region. Building on the organization’s 35-year legacy of leadership and service, YLC members logged more than 11,000 community service hours in 2019.

Position Summary:

Young Leadership Council is at an exciting juncture as it enters its 36th year. Building upon

its ability to create transformative leadership experiences for young professionals, YLC is poised to determine its strategic direction in an ever-changing environment. Young Leadership Council is seeking a strong Executive Director to lead in advancing the organization’s vision and innovating upon its strengths. Key opportunities for the new Executive Director include:

1.      Developing and implementing a more sustainable funding model

2.      Creating and spearheading strategic priorities grounded in leadership development, community impact, and the needs of New Orleans’ young professional community

3.      Building a strong team to support an evolving portfolio of leadership programs and events. Working in partnership with a committed and talented board, staff, and network of volunteers, the next Executive Director will be a leader within the New Orleans business and professional community. YLC is looking forward to engaging dynamic candidates for this unique and impactful opportunity.

Principal Duties:

Fundraising Strategy and Execution

•        Develop and execute a plan that enables YLC to cultivate, solicit, and steward all current and future funders and major donors.

•        Provide executive oversight for all fundraising efforts including long-term planning, establishing strategic fundraising activities, and submitting proposals.

•        Define a vision for fundraising and awareness-raising events and supervise staff, contract support, and volunteers to execute.

Development and Implementation of Organizational Strategy

•        Establish a clear vision for the organization’s future financial and programming growth

•        Work with Board Members and staff to ensure a long-term growth strategy in-line with the organization’s vision and community needs.

•        Collaborate with Board and staff to establish program metrics to monitor program effectiveness.

Relationship Building and External Partnership Development

•        Regularly engage with a broad network of community stakeholders to further YLC’s brand and ensure alignment with the needs of the New Orleans community.

•        Articulate YLC’s value and brand identity and communicate it outwardly.

•        Identify and engage with local and national stakeholders to forge mutually beneficial partnerships.

•        Serve as the key public face for the organization among all stakeholders.

•        Spearhead community outreach efforts.

Building and Maintaining a Strong Team

•        Supervise, develop, and train YLC Operations Manager in line with organizational needs.

•        Inspire team members to align around the organization’s vision and long-term strategy.

•        Work collaboratively with staff and consultants to set and oversee progress against organizational objectives.

•        Set performance standards in-line with organizational values and job descriptions. Routinely assess Operations Manager against these standards and engage with staff to provide feedback.

•        Partner with the Board and external advisors to develop a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy and goals to inform staffing and day-to-day activities.

Fiscal Management and Governance

•        Serve as the primary channel of communication between the Board and staff.

•        Execute all contracts and agreements entered into on behalf of the organization

•        Lead staff and Board in the development of the annual budget. Oversee progress against this budget and maintain oversight of organizational assets, including investments.

•        Deliver regular reports to the Board on the agency’s operations and financial position.

•        Work collaboratively with the Board Chair to set Board strategy and regularly engage Board members around their role in realizing the organization’s vision.

•        Ensure the fiscal integrity of the organization, providing monthly financial statements and other documentation and reports that accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization.

Desired Attributes and Competencies:

Required

•        Proven track record of developing and executing on organizational strategy.

•        Proven fundraising track record (grants, major gifts, and/or campaigns) or experience with identifying and integrating earned revenue streams.

•        Successful track record managing small to mid-sized teams and delegating appropriately.

•        Comfort communicating in public forums and across a broad group of stakeholders.

•        Strong collaboration and relationship building skills.

•        Comfort navigating internal/external conversations around DEI.

•        Ability to establish priorities and make tough decisions.

•        Willingness to innovate and incorporate technology where appropriate.

•        This position requires one to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined by the CDC.

Preferred

•        5+ years as an entrepreneurial leader with experience managing programs and managing people in a nonprofit or social enterprise.

•        Experience working for or serving on a nonprofit board.

•        Existing familiarity with the New Orleans community.

•        Background in leadership development.

•        Demonstrated track record of integrating DEI into an organization.

Application Instructions and Additional Information:

Please submit your resume and cover letter to apply@ylcnola.org. For more information, you may reach out to YLC at the email provided above.