What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director - Safe Place Services position at YMCA?
WHO WE ARE:
Louisville is a vibrant city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and dynamic blend of southern charm and urban sophistication. Nestled along the Ohio River, it is best known as the home of the Kentucky Derby, the iconic horse race held annually at Churchill Downs. Louisville boasts a diverse array of attractions, including the Muhammad Ali Center, a thriving arts scene with numerous galleries, theaters, and the renowned Speed Art Museum. The city's culinary landscape is equally impressive, featuring a burgeoning food and bourbon scene. Its historic neighborhoods, scenic parks, and warm hospitality, Louisville offers a unique and inviting atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.
The YMCA of Greater Louisville is a cornerstone of community well-being, offering a diverse range of programs and services aimed at fostering healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility. In addition to 10 wellness facility locations, the Y offers childcare, youth sports, swim lessons, summer camps, Safe Place Services Shelter House and other youth and adult programming.
Committed to inclusivity, the YMCA ensures that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Through its dedicated staff and volunteers, the YMCA of Greater Louisville continues to create a positive impact by promoting physical health, mental well-being, and a sense of community among its members.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Executive Director of Safe Place Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all youth crisis and shelter programs within the YMCA of Greater Louisville. This role supervises the delivery of high-quality, trauma-informed services for vulnerable youth while advancing the YMCA’s mission of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Additionally, this position ensures a seamless system of response, assessment, intervention, and referral for all clients with programs that aim to strengthen young people’s ability to develop to their fullest potential by reducing risk factors, navigating systems towards successful life transition, ensuring stability, safety, and wellness in times of crisis, and building competencies and social capital.
Safe Place Services has a range of programs, including Shelter House (a 24-hour Emergency Shelter for teens); the Y-NOW Mentoring program (11-14yr old youth); the Youth Development Drop-in Center (18-24yr old homeless youth); Street Outreach Services and local Project Safe Place.
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred (social work, human services, nonprofit leadership, public administration, or related field)
- 7–10 years of leadership experience in nonprofit, human services, or youth-serving organizations
- Experience managing multi-program operations and teams
- Background in youth services, shelter systems, or behavioral health
- Experience with government contracts, grants, and compliance
- Strong interpersonal skills and outstanding, effective communication skills
- Ability to problem solve, take initiative, and adhere to the purpose, mission and goals of the YMCA YMCA leadership certification (or ability to obtain)
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:
- Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight
- Direct all Safe Place Services programs (e.g., emergency youth shelter, outreach, transitional living, Youth Drop-In Center, YNOW
- Ensure program quality, safety, and compliance with state and federal regulations
- Lead quality assurance efforts and continuous program improvement
- Ensure that program initiatives support the overall strategic priorities, program goals, key performance indicators, and strategic direction as established by the organization
- Foster a mission-driven, trauma-informed, and youth-centered culture
- Board & Volunteer Development
- Leads board development and recruitment, ensuring active and effective volunteer leadership
- Provides staff leadership to volunteer boards, including preparation of reports, strategic discussions and program updates, outcomes and overall progress
- Partners with volunteer board leadership and committees to strengthen governance, community engagement and strategic alignment
- Leads Board Members and volunteers in the Annual Campaign and other fundraising initiatives
- Guides the board in identifying new and major donors in collaboration with the Financial Development team
- Engages all YMCA volunteers and stakeholders in mission advancement
- Staff & Organizational Leadership
- Hire, supervise, and develop leadership teams and program staff
- Ensure that program initiatives support the overall strategic priorities, program goals, key performance indicators, and strategic direction as established by the organization
- Directly supervise and support department leaders, providing regular coaching, performance feedback, and professional development
- Conducts regular team triage meetings and staff meetings to discuss matters pertaining to treatment issues, policies and procedures, case management, and staff relations
- Plans and/or facilitates relevant trainings for the development of staff skills and knowledge
- Business Administration
- Develop and manage annual operating budgets
- Ensure fiscal responsibility, reporting, and compliance
- Prepare and update budget forecasts to operating budget as needed
- Safeguard government contract record-keeping and reporting are completed in a timely manner
- Financial Development & Fundraising
- Lead fundraising efforts, including pre- and post-award grant processes, campaigns, and donor engagement, with primary ownership of Safe Place Services revenue goals
- Serve as the lead strategist and driver of Safe Place Services fundraising events, partnering with the
- Financial Development team on donor strategy, positioning, and execution
- Actively build and deepen philanthropic relationships by engaging donors, prospects, and community partners in collaboration with the Financial Development team
- Community Engagement & Partnerships
- Serve as the primary spokesperson for YMCA Safe Place Services
- Builds and maintains partnerships with schools, court system, child welfare agencies, nonprofits and other potential partner agencies
- Represent the YMCA in community coalitions and advocacy efforts
- Strengthen visibility and impact of youth services across Jefferson and surrounding counties
- Provides executive-level advocacy and relationship-building with local individuals and organizations and government entities at the local, state and federal level
- Operations & Compliance
- Oversee day-to-day operations across multiple program sites
- Ensure compliance with licensing, accreditation, and safety standards
- Monitor outcomes, data reporting, and program effectiveness
- Maintain crisis response readiness and youth safety protocols
- Develops, updates, and implements policies and procedures to meet contract requirements and of the agency, including personnel, treatment services, and records
- Conducts quality assurance (QA) activities so that all services are delivered and documented per local, state and federal contracts
- Supports in the preparation of county or state audits and responds to corrective action post audit
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Full-time leadership role with occasional evenings/weekends
- On-call availability for emergencies or critical incidents
- Fast-paced, mission-driven environment serving at-risk youth
- Travel at various times will be required