Description:

Greater Forsyth County Young Life is seeking an area director to provide strong spiritual leadership to an experienced staff team and dedicated volunteer leadership. Join our committee and community supporters to help us reach out to adolescents across our county with the love of Jesus Christ.

Young Life has a rich history in Forsyth County, reaching out to kids here since 1957. Through faithful community support and fruitful fundraising, we are in a solid financial position and poised for growth. Our active, invested committee of 16 families facilitates leader care and annual events like our fall banquet and spring golf tournament. Five growing ministries — High School (five), WyldLife (four), YoungLives, Capernaum, and Young Life College (WFU and WSSU) — are served by more than 60 volunteer leaders, with a balanced mix of college students and adult “career” leaders.

“Located in the Piedmont area of North Carolina, Winston-Salem combines artistic flair with entrepreneurial innovation. The city’s thriving arts scene, vibrant downtown, and easy access to outdoor activities offer residents a dynamic place to call home” (Livability.com). Winston-Salem enjoys four distinct seasons, with beach or mountains (and three Young Life camps) within just a few hours’ drive. This family-friendly city is known for affordable real estate and quality higher education — including top-ranking HBCU Winston-Salem State University, Wake Forest University, Salem College, and UNC School of the Arts. Our 15 public high schools, 17 public middle schools, and 11 private schools offer countless opportunities for ministry.

Responsibilities:

Spiritual Development

• Commitment to prayer and the Word and the nurture of personal faith.
• Consistent discipleship and guidance of area staff, prioritizing spiritual health and work-life balance.

Leadership Development

• Lead a staff team currently including the associate area director with 19 years of local Young Life experience, two direct ministry staff, a staff associate, and a full-time administrator. Work with staff to recognize individual gifts, needs, and skills; guide and assign roles/tasks effectively.
• Along with staff, disciple leaders to promote spiritual health and foster a strong and godly community.
• Recruit and train new staff and leaders to reflect the diversity of our community and accomplish mission strategy.
• Promote a culture of belonging for every kid, incorporating God’s love for the lost, last, and least into our kingdom work.

Resource Development

• In order to position the mission for future growth and sustainability, work with the existing Finance and Development Team to build and diversify support, grow the donor base, and strengthen donor relationships.
• Draw upon local experience, utilize existing network of contacts, and initiate relationships with new individuals and businesses.
• Initiate and strengthen relationships with community partners including parents, churches, and schools in order to support current efforts and facilitate growth into new ministry areas.
• Work to secure funding to meet additional needs of lower socio-economic schools and ministries.

Direct Ministry and Ministry Support

• Demonstrate interest, creativity, and energy to adapt programming to meet the needs and interests of teenagers in our changing world. Implement new strategies to keep kids and leaders engaged.
• Lead in the development and communication of our area’s vision and strategic plan for growth into schools with former Young Life presence and unreached schools.
• Explore metro structure (and associated staff/leadership modifications) as a potential strategy for effective and sustainable growth into new areas of Forsyth County. Develop leadership, parental/church support, and resources in those communities for sustainable ministry.
• Develop and implement hiring and volunteer leader recruitment strategies to reach a broader diversity of adolescents in current and future schools. Creatively modify Young Life ministry methods to reach them, without compromising the gospel message or our mission.
• Balance visionary leadership with a "get it done" mentality as needed.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of five years of experience as an area director.
• A mature and transforming personal faith in Jesus Christ with growing self- awareness and a humble, teachable spirit.
• A commitment to the purity of the gospel and the unity of the Body of Christ.
• Proven leadership skills for a large area. The ability to communicate vision. The capacity to manage multiple ministries. Expertise and experience in leading, managing, and developing a large staff.
• Proven ability to pastor and encourage the spiritual growth of others and to build strong, deep, and lasting relationships.
• Experience and eagerness to strengthen the area’s financial position by developing and growing relationships with donors.
• Experience with and value of multiethnic/multicultural ministry.
• Experience in leader recruitment and development of adult “career leaders” as well as college-aged volunteer leaders from both private and public universities.

Benefits:

• ​Medical, dental, and vision coverage (at no cost to you).
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• 401(k) matching plan (up to four percent).​​
• Health club benefit.
• And more!

How to Apply:

Please submit an online application, including resume and cover letter, via the button below.