Area Director - North Shore (Chicagoland)

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Because of Young Life's exclusive Christian purposes of evangelism and discipleship as set forth in its Articles of Incorporation and in these Bylaws, and to reflect what has always been and will continue to be the position of Young Life, specifically the Christian belief that each and every employee and volunteer of the corporation should minister as a servant of God with the primary responsibility of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and, as such, is an integral part of the Christian mission and ministry of the corporation,
Young Life shall only employ individuals or enlist volunteer leaders who: (a) profess a belief in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord; and (b) subscribe to the statements and policies required of all Young Life staff, including the Young Life Statement of Faith. Therefore, employees and volunteers of Young Life, during working and nonworking hours, shall: (i) be ready, willing and able to fulfill such ministry functions as may be required by the organization; (ii) refrain from conduct and statements that detract from the biblical standards taught and supported by Young Life, and (iii) abide by all policies and practices of Young Life including, without limitation, those related to religious belief or ministry activities.

Job Specific Working Conditions:

Description:
Young Life North Shore is looking for an area director who is passionate about growing ministry and spending time with high school kids. This area director would oversee one to three high schools (still to be determined), as well as be a part of our college ministry at Northwestern University. This is a full-time position that includes salary and benefits.

Responsibilities:
Execute Young Life's mission to "introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith" through the power of relationships.
Lead all aspects of the high school ministry including supervising a volunteer leader team of college students and young adults.
Spend significant time each week building relationships with high school students.
Plan and run weekly programmatic events for students such as Young Life club (large group outreach event) and Campaigners (Bible study).
Lead the ongoing recruiting and training of college and adult volunteer leaders.
Lead multiple summer and school season camping trips.
Assist with college ministry at Northwestern University.
Raise funds and awareness of Young Life in the area through relationships and large-scale fundraising events.
Qualifications:
A deep love for Jesus and passion for outreach ministry.
Ability and desire to relate to high school and college students.
Strong Christian faith, knowledge of God's Word, and ability to lead others to Christ.
Proven track record of self-starting and taking initiative.
Ability and desire to maintain a varying schedule that includes evenings and weekends.
Willingness to live in the local area (this includes the city of Evanston and towns of Wilmette, Winnetka, Kenilworth Glencoe, Northbrook, Northfield and Glenview).
Possess high capacity and high energy level.
Comfortable relating to adults of all ages.
Bachelor's degree.
Young Life experience, professional ministry experience, or fundraising/development experience *required*.

Mission/Authority
Through spiritual leadership and proper management, lead in developing a team in the area to carry out Young Life's mission of introducing kids to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith.
Ministry Functions:
Spiritual Development - "Following Jesus" includes prayer and spiritual disciplines, fellowship, growth and health and church relationships.
• Develop a yearly personal growth plan that fosters a vibrant spiritual life including time for solitude, retreat, reflection, prayer and a sincere commitment to understanding God's Word.
• Seek and maintain relationships and disciplines, in the context of active participation in a church community.
• Actively participate in the spiritual life of the Young Life community.
• Lead teams and individuals in spiritual development.
• Ensure that all Young Life ministry in the area, is designed and carried out with a dependence on prayer that takes place out of the overflow of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Leadership Development - "Equipping leaders, committee and staff" includes key volunteer care, recruiting, team building and training, supervision and vision casting.
• Partner with Regional director and Committee to cast vision for reaching "every kid" within the defined area.
• Develop consistent gatherings with committee, leaders and staff to build unity and provide vision and direction.
• Create a spiritual leadership plan for volunteer leaders, staff and committee members in the area.
• Recruit and train new staff and leaders to build leadership teams that reflect the community.
• Supervise, develop and evaluate area staff, providing resources and experiences needed to implement the vision.
• Provide quality summer staff, work crew and adult guests for summer camps.
• Model excellence in contact work, club, Campaigners and camping to other leaders.
• Train leaders, team leaders and committee how to work effectively in teams and develop a yearly ministry strategy.
Resource Development - "Fueling the ministry" includes events, major donor care, public relations (branding) and TDS team.
• Provide leadership to the TDS team and committee in finding partners to own the area vision and budget.
• Develop and lead the area's fundraising strategy and ensure excellence in communication to donors.
• Raise the necessary funds to carry out the ministry vision for the local area, keeping the area consistently in surplus (goal is a one-month cash reserve minimum).
• Build the Young Life brand via public relations as an excellent tool for working with youth in the area.
• Coordinate and conduct quality events which reflect Young Life's capacity to impact kids and warrant the investment of a participant's personal and corporate resources.

Direct Ministry - "Proclaiming and modeling" includes contact work, club, Campaigners and camp.
• Actively engage in all three levels of contact work.
• Lead or co-lead a model Young Life club; lead/supervise an effective Campaigner ministry with excellence.
• Observe and evaluate each of the schools/ministries in the local area on a yearly basis.
• Develop and implement ongoing plans to maximize Gospel proclamation through camping opportunities.
• Serve on a summer assignment at a Young Life property, other Young Life camp or in another position each summer.

Ministry Support - "Taking care of business" includes accounting, administration, communication (internal), data management and strategic plan.
• Adhere to all Young Life policies and procedures and maintain professionalism concerning office hours, dress, conduct and time management.
• Manage finances with stewardship, accountability and transparency using the mission-wide applications.
• Maintain accurate information on kids, leaders and donors for area records.
• Provide clear, prompt, appropriate and professional communication to everyone involved in ministry.
• Set yearly strategic ministry plan and initiatives to reach every kid; review them on a regular basis.
• Perform other duties as assigned and congruent with gifts, experience and area needs.
• Accept both short and long-term assignments of projects.

Training:
• Participation in missionwide staff conference every four years.
• Participation in additional training or experiences if deemed necessary (e.g., more urban exposure; Taking Donors Seriously (TDS) training).
• Attend regional training as directed by the regional director.
• Pursue continuing educational opportunities including graduate degrees.
• Participate in programs designed for personal spiritual maturity or personal enrichment.
• Pursue seminars designed to enhance professional skills.

Education:
• College degree preferred
Working Conditions:
• Will include the extremes of a camp assignment, e.g., heat/cold, dirt, long hours and the physical demands of hiking, horseback riding, boating, etc. Staff person must be able to handle these conditions.
Qualifications:
• Must have completed Core Training -Phase One.
• Proven leadership skills.
• Proven relational skills with both kids and adults.
• A call to reach kids with the Gospel.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Working Conditions:
• Will include the extremes of a camp assignment, e.g., heat/cold, dirt, long hours and the physical demands of hiking, horseback riding, boating, etc. Staff person must be able to handle these conditions.