Executive Director, California Youth & Government.

YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN LOS ANGELES•Los Angeles, CA

3d•$120,000 - $135,000•Hybrid

About The Position

For generations, California YMCA Youth & Government has helped young people discover the power of their voice, understand democracy through experience, and see themselves as leaders capable of shaping their communities and their futures. The Executive Director, California YMCA Youth & Government will provide strategic and executive leadership for one of the nation’s largest civic education and youth leadership programs, serving thousands of middle and high school students across California. Reporting to the Chief Program Officer of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, the Executive Director will lead the next chapter of a statewide movement built on youth leadership, civic engagement, volunteer service, philanthropy, and the collective strength of YMCA associations throughout California. This is an external-facing executive role requiring a leader who can build relationships and inspire investment in the mission. The Executive Director will cultivate donors and philanthropic partners, strengthen and develop the Board of Managers, engage and grow a statewide network of volunteers, build relationships with YMCA associations and civic and community leaders, and ensure the continued quality, relevance, reach, and sustainability of California YMCA Youth & Government. At the same time, this leader will provide executive oversight for statewide programs including Model Legislature & Court (MLC), Model United Nations (MUN), national leadership experiences, and major conferences and events serving thousands of young people. The successful candidate will understand that the strength of Youth & Government is not built by staff alone. It is built through people: young leaders, committed volunteers, engaged board members, donors, YMCA partners, educators, civic leaders, alumni, and communities united around a belief in the potential of young people.

Requirements

Minimum of six to eight years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit management, youth development, civic engagement, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience in fundraising and resource development.
Demonstrated experience in board or volunteer governance.
Demonstrated experience in large-scale program or initiative leadership.
Demonstrated experience in volunteerism.
Demonstrated experience in government relations.
Demonstrated experience in external partnership development.
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, political science, education, nonprofit management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of academic preparation and experience.
Exceptional communication and public speaking skills.
Strategic thinking.
Organizational leadership.
Stakeholder engagement.
Ability to translate vision into action.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience within the YMCA movement or Youth & Government.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic and executive leadership for one of the nation’s largest civic education and youth leadership programs, serving thousands of middle and high school students across California.
Cultivate donors and philanthropic partners, strengthen and develop the Board of Managers, engage and grow a statewide network of volunteers, build relationships with YMCA associations and civic and community leaders, and ensure the continued quality, relevance, reach, and sustainability of California YMCA Youth & Government.
Provide executive oversight for statewide programs including Model Legislature & Court (MLC), Model United Nations (MUN), national leadership experiences, and major conferences and events serving thousands of young people.
Serve as a chief fundraiser and relationship builder for California YMCA Youth & Government, leading a comprehensive development strategy with an annual goal of generating approximately $480,000 in philanthropic support.
Cultivate and steward individual donors, pursue major gifts, build corporate and foundation relationships, develop sponsorship opportunities, identify new sources of philanthropic revenue, and create meaningful opportunities for supporters to experience the impact of Youth & Government firsthand.
Build a culture of philanthropy around the program, partnering with board members, volunteers, alumni, YMCA leaders, and other champions to expand the network of people willing to invest in its future.
Serve as the primary staff partner to the California YMCA Youth & Government Board of Managers, developing a highly engaged board that provides meaningful governance, strategic leadership, philanthropy, advocacy, and community influence.
Lead board recruitment, onboarding, engagement, development, and evaluation while partnering closely with board leadership to establish strategic priorities and measure progress.
Strengthen committee structures and charts of work, cultivate future board leadership, and ensure board members have meaningful opportunities to contribute their expertise, relationships, resources, and influence to the mission.
Lead a statewide volunteer engagement strategy that honors and retains the dedicated volunteers who have built and sustained this program while intentionally recruiting and developing the next generation of volunteer leaders.
Strengthen the full volunteer experience, including recruitment, engagement, development, communication, recognition, leadership pathways, succession, and retention.
Provide executive oversight for statewide civic engagement and youth leadership programs, including Model Legislature & Court, Model United Nations, CONA, NJC, the National Youth Governors Conference, and other statewide and national experiences.
Build and strengthen relationships with YMCA associations, schools, school districts, civic leaders, public agencies, community organizations, and other partners throughout California.
Lead government relations efforts for California YMCA Youth & Government, cultivating strategic relationships with elected officials, government agencies, policymakers, and civic leaders to strengthen the program’s visibility, advance its mission, and expand opportunities for youth civic engagement across California.
Position California YMCA Youth & Government as a leading voice in youth civic engagement and leadership development.
Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing staff team while creating a culture of collaboration, belonging, accountability, and continuous improvement across staff and volunteers.
Oversee large-scale conferences and experiences serving thousands of young people while ensuring program quality, educational outcomes, participant safety, and operational excellence.
Lead program innovation and long-term strategy to ensure Youth & Government remains relevant to young people, responsive to the changing civic landscape, and positioned for sustainable growth.
Provide strong fiscal stewardship through budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, expense management, and long-term sustainability planning.