Chief Executive Officer

Youthworks

Bismark, ND or Fargo, ND

About The Opportunity

This is a unique leadership opportunity to guide a mission-driven organization that has a profound impact on young lives. As Chief Executive Officer, you will lead Youthworks’ efforts to provide the support and relationships that empower youth to thrive in their communities. Collaborating with a strong leadership team, you will shape and drive the strategic vision of the organization, ensuring its alignment with the mission and long-term goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS

The Key Accountabilities for the position include but are not limited to the following:

Strategic Vision and Execution 

• Develop and articulate a compelling strategic vision that aligns with Youthworks’ mission and long-term goals. 
• Lead the organization in translating the strategic vision into actionable goals and initiatives. 
• Continuously assess and adjust the strategic plan to ensure relevance and responsiveness to changing needs and opportunities. 
• Measure and communicate progress toward strategic objectives to stakeholders. 

Organizational Leadership 

• Provide inspirational and effective leadership to the Youthworks team, fostering a culture of high collaboration and transparency.  
• Empower and support senior leadership, including the COO, in operational decision-making and execution. 
• Prioritize the engagement and development of staff at all levels by creating opportunities for professional growth, ensuring clear communication, and recognizing contributions. 
• Champion initiatives that promote a positive and equitable organizational culture, alignment with Youthworks’ mission, and employee engagement and well-being. 

Governance Support 

• Partner with the Board of Directors to ensure effective governance practices and alignment with strategic priorities. 
• Regularly communicate organizational performance, challenges, and opportunities to the Board. 
• Provide timely, relevant, and useful reporting to support informed and wise governance decisions. 
• Facilitate Board engagement in strategic discussions, financial oversight, and organizational advocacy. 

Financial and Administrative Oversight 

• Ensure financial sustainability and integrity through sound financial planning, budget management, and oversight of administrative processes. 
• Collaborate with the COO and finance team to develop and monitor budgets, forecasts, and financial reports. 
• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks while optimizing resource allocation. 
• Oversee the creation, maintenance, and regular review of organizational policies to ensure compliance, alignment with best practices, and effective governance. 

Program Oversight 

• In partnership with the COO, ensure the effectiveness, quality, and alignment of programs with Youthworks’ mission and strategic goals. 
• Regularly evaluate program outcomes and impact, using data to inform continuous improvement. 
• Promote innovation and scalability in program design and delivery to meet emerging community needs. 

Brand Ambassadorship 

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and representative of Youthworks, building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, partners, and community leaders. 
• Strengthen Youthworks’ brand and reputation through strategic communication, advocacy, and storytelling. 
• Actively engage in community and sector initiatives to advance the mission of Youthworks. 
• Identify, cultivate, and establish strategic partnerships to enhance Youthworks’ impact, reach, and sustainability. 

Fundraising and Development 

• Provide strategic oversight of the organization’s fundraising efforts, ensuring alignment with Youthworks’ mission and strategic goals. 
• Support and collaborate with the Development Team in creating and executing a comprehensive fundraising plan, including annual campaigns, major gifts, and capital campaigns. 
• Actively participate in key fundraising activities, including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, to build and maintain strong relationships with funders. 
• Serve as a visible and engaged leader in fundraising initiatives, leveraging personal and professional networks to enhance resource development. 

About Youthworks

Youthworks' mission is to ensure that all youth have a safe place to belong and be heard. Through a strengths-based approach, the organization empowers youth to thrive by providing developmental relationships, essential resources, and inclusive spaces. Youthworks nurtures youth’s strengths, creates opportunities, and empowers youth to achieve their full potential and shape bright futures for themselves and their communities.

Roughly half of Youthworks’ services focus on meeting the needs of Runaway, Homeless, Trafficked, and Street Youth (RHTSY), with additional supportive services helping ensure youth do not have to experience these things in the first place. Youthworks’ programming is deeply rooted in the recognition that youth who have experienced marginalization are disproportionately represented and often underserved, driving the organization’s commitment to equity and inclusion. Youthworks actively works to bridge these gaps.

Since its inception in 1979 as Mountain-Plains Youth Services Coalition, Youthworks has been a cornerstone of support for youth and families. The organization began providing direct services in Bismarck in 1986 and expanded to Fargo in 1991. Today, Youthworks serves young people and their families across North Dakota, including western Minnesota, with offices in Bismarck, Fargo, and Minot. Youthworks focuses on serving youth and young adults under 24 years of age, providing resources and support that are both innovative and effective.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION

• Bachelor’s degree, preference given to Master’s degree.
• Non-profit leadership experience.
• A background in homeless and youth supportive services programming leadership.
• Ability to engage and educate community stakeholders in the vision of the organization.
• Ability to oversee a budget; fiscal management experience is required.
• 10 years of senior management experience, with a strong commitment to the professional development of staff.
• Ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders and to build collaboration with the community at large.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstration of a high level of emotional intelligence, intellectual curiosity, and desire to explore new ideas and innovative approaches to solving problems.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The comprehensive benefits package for this position includes: 

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Health insurance, HSA, and Dental Insurance coverage
• Term Life insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Vacation, Paid Holidays, & Sick Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Summer Hours schedules

THE SEARCH

Sagency, an executive search and leadership consulting firm, has been retained for this Chief Executive Officer search.  

Sagency consultants will review and evaluate all interested parties to help the hiring team review a final group for consideration.

The search will be conducted in a professional manner and all potential candidates will be given consideration. Candidate conversations and information will be handled with great discretion and confidentiality. Sagency and Youthworks are equal opportunity employers.

If after reading this Opportunity Profile, you feel that your experience, skills, and passion are a good match for the organization and this role, we would like to engage with you. Please read below for the first part of the application and selection process.

The first five steps of the application and selection process:

Step 1:  Interested candidates complete the online application.

• Upload your resume.

• The online application will be posted until the position is filled.

Step 2: A Sagency Executive Search Consultant may schedule an initial phone call with qualified applicants.

Step 3: A Sagency Executive Search Consultant will schedule a 60-minute interview with select candidates.

Step 4: If you are selected and choose to move on to interviews with our client, you will be asked to complete an online assessment.

Step 5: First-round interviews with the client.

 Thank you for your time and your interest in this role.