Summary

This position provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and external representation for YouthLink, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) serving young people and their families in partnership with agencies and community stakeholders across Adams County. In collaboration with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director drives organizational mission, vision, and strategy.

Description

OVERVIEW
YouthLink — Resource and Assessment Center is a NEW nonprofit 501(c)(3) serving Adams County, dedicated to empowering families and supporting youth through intervention, assessment, and tailored resources that promote a safer and more supportive community. YouthLink accepts referrals from law enforcement and school district partners (at this time). Every young person receives a timely assessment, trauma-informed care coordination, and access to local resources that reflect their needs, strengths, culture, and family context. YouthLink provides early, coordinated support for young people ages 10–17 who are demonstrating concerning behavior or early signs of risk, before challenges escalate into suspension, court involvement, or emergency response.

Our work includes:
Preventing and diverting youth from the child welfare and justice systems
Identifying underlying issues contributing to behavior or conflict
Partnering with young people and their families to connect them with individualized, culturally responsive supports

DEFINITION
This position provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and external representation for YouthLink, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) serving young people and their families in partnership with agencies and community stakeholders across Adams County. In collaboration with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director drives organizational mission, vision, and strategy.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
The Executive Director works in close partnership with the Board of Directors to advance YouthLink’s mission and priorities and reports directly to the Board. This position supervises and provides support to the Program Director and nonprofit administrative / Business Operations team, as well as vendors, contractors, and consultants.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Operations, Organizational Development, and Performance
Establish and maintain organizational systems, policies, and procedures that ensure safety, professionalism, cultural responsiveness, and high-quality service delivery.

Lead hiring, supervision, evaluation, and professional development for the team, including senior leaders and consultants.

Build and sustain a trauma-informed, youth-centered organizational culture grounded in values of equity, accountability, learning, and well-being.

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, funder requirements, data privacy regulations, and risk management protocols.

Implement continuous improvement systems, including quality assurance, data tracking, performance dashboards, and results-based decision-making.

Resolve operational issues, provide coaching, set clear expectations, and ensure accountability at all levels of the organization.

Program Oversight and Impact
Ensure consistent, trauma-informed delivery of assessment, screening, case management, referral pathways, and youth and family supports.

Develop and refine program models, performance indicators, and outcomes tied to organizational mission and funding requirements.

Maintain accurate documentation, data entry, evaluation protocols, and reporting systems consistent with state, county, and funder standards.

Monitor program quality using data, trend analysis, and youth/family feedback; implement changes to improve results.

Ensure culturally responsive practices, language accessibility, and equitable access to services across diverse populations.

Manage memoranda of understanding (MOUs), intergovernmental agreements (IGAs), and data-sharing agreements with referral partners.

Governance and Board Engagement
Work collaboratively with the Board of Directors to fulfill organizational mission, strategic direction, financial stewardship, and overall performance.

Partner with the Board Chair and Executive Committee to plan and facilitate Board and committee meetings, including producing agendas, materials, minutes, and follow-up action items.

Partner with legal counsel as needed and the Board of Directors to develop, update, and recommend policies, bylaws, committee charters, and decision-making structures for effective nonprofit governance

Prepare regular reports, including dashboards, financial summaries, and strategic updates, to support informed Board decision-making.

Support Board recruitment, onboarding, training, and engagement that reflects organizational values and community diversity.

Ensure compliance with nonprofit best practices, IRS 501(c)(3) regulations, state requirements, and YouthLink bylaws.

Maintain proactive, transparent communication with the Board regarding strategic priorities, budget status, program impact, and areas of risk.

Implement Board decisions, steward a culture of stewardship and accountability on commitments, timelines, and outcomes.

Strategic Leadership and Partnerships
Lead development and implementation of the strategic plan, annual priorities, and measurable goals aligned to the organizational mission with support from the Board of Directors.

Translate strategy into operational systems, cross-agency partnerships, and resource needs.

Oversee and maintain agreements with partners, including law enforcement, school districts, county departments, behavioral health providers, state agencies, funders, and community-based partners.

Convene leaders to identify shared challenges and drive collaborative solutions in prevention, diversion, and youth support.

Represent YouthLink in high-level coalitions, youth prevention collaboratives, legislative networks, and regional planning efforts in alignment with Board of Directors roles and responsibilities.

Monitor emerging trends, community needs, policy changes, and funding shifts; advise the Board on strategic opportunities and risks.

Finance and Revenue Development
Lead overall financial strategy, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and multi-year financial planning.

Ensure strong financial controls, accounting systems, risk management practices, and compliance with audit and reporting requirements with the Finance Committee.

Work with the Treasurer and Finance Committee to review monthly financials, track performance, and recommend adjustments.

Oversee audits, 990 filings, contract compliance, and fiscal agent relationships.

Develop and execute revenue strategy through public funding, grants, municipal and county appropriations, philanthropic contributions, and corporate partnerships.

Identify and cultivate funders; prepare proposals; maintain reporting requirements; and steward investors to ensure long-term sustainability.

Community Relations and External Representation
Serve as one of the primary spokespersons and public representatives of YouthLink in conjunction with members of the Board

Build and maintain positive, strategic relationships with media, elected officials, school and district leaders, community coalitions, philanthropic partners, and business leaders to serve the mission.

Participate in community events, regional planning sessions, legislative hearings, and youth development networks.

Communicate organizational impact, outcomes, and success stories through presentations, messaging, press releases, annual reports, and stakeholder updates.

Lead crisis or sensitive communications with professionalism, clarity, and alignment to organizational values.

QUALIFICATIONS
Proven success in grant development, fundraising, and cultivating strategic partnerships across public, private, and philanthropic sectors.

Demonstrated expertise in ensuring data monitoring, reporting, compliance, and continuous improvement practices.

Deep knowledge of youth needs, community assets, and governance structures in Adams County is strongly preferred.
Knowledge of:
Understanding of 501(c)(3) regulations, organizational limitations, and ethical standards.

Nonprofit governance, Board engagement, and fiduciary responsibilities.

Trauma-informed, culturally responsive youth services, positive youth development, and juvenile assessment or school-based intervention programs (preferred).

Grant funding systems, reporting requirements, and funder relationship management.

Budgeting, audits, financial controls, contract management, and fund compliance.

Evaluation practices, program monitoring, data accountability, and continuous improvement.
Community-based partnership development, collaborative leadership, and cross-sector coalition building.

Knowledge of youth needs, community assets, governance structures, and local systems in Adams County (preferred).

Leadership and Strategic Skills
Lead, motivate, and develop teams and partnerships toward shared, measurable outcomes.

Exercise sound judgment, strategic decision-making, foresight, and problem anticipation.

Secure, steward, and diversify funding from public and private sources.

Manage multiple priorities with discretion, calm, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Demonstrate disciplined focus on results, placing shared goals above individual interests.

Navigate complex systems with the ability to lead from the front or behind, depending on situational needs.

Relationship Building and Community Engagement
Build trust and authentic relationships grounded in transparency and honesty with youth, families, community leaders, elected officials, and culturally diverse groups.

Facilitate collaboration among diverse partners and “translate” vocabulary and priorities across sectors.

Engage partners with critical assets and mobilize stakeholders toward community impact and systems transformation.

Demonstrate cultural humility and comfort working in communities with high concentrations of poverty and people of color.

Communication and Professional Competencies
Communicate clearly through written reports, public speaking, and one-on-one dialogue.

Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, conflict resolution ability, and crisis composure.

Problem-solve effectively and prioritize competing demands in a fast-moving environment.

Self-motivated, organized, and capable of working independently or as part of a dynamic strategy team.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, web-based applications, and database systems.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required, preferably in business, public administration, criminal justice, or a closely related field.

Minimum of ten years of executive or senior leadership experience in nonprofit management, public sector administration, or other mission-driven environments.

Direct experience with juvenile assessment centers, youth intervention or diversion programs, case management systems, school district partnerships, or related youth-serving initiatives.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, listen, drive to meetings, operate a computer, and lift objects up to 10 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Pass a thorough criminal background check
Possess a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
Willing to work varied hours, including occasional evenings and weekends
Local travel and occasional state and national travel