Executive Director

ORGANIZATION: Life House is an innovative nonprofit organization located in Duluth, Minnesota that has been serving street-engaged and homeless youth ages 14-24 for over 30 years. Life House provides a place of acceptance, safety and belonging where young people can reclaim a positive, healthy and hopeful future. The budget is $3M+ and there are 36 staff members. Life House’s four core programs create scaffolding for young people to reach their full potential: 

• The drop-in Youth Center provides basic necessities as well as recreational activities, independent living skills classes, and peer support groups. The Youth Center is also the hub of our Community Outreach program, which locates homeless and street-engaged youth and connects them to crisis services. 
• The Community & Residential Housing Program operates four facilities located throughout Duluth including Sol House, a group home for sexually exploited teens; Northern Lights at Gateway Towers, permanent supportive housing for exploited youth; Gateway Towers and 2001 Apartments, providing permanent supportive housing to high-barrier young adults. The Community & Residential Housing Program also serves as the primary access point for homeless youth to connect to the Southern St. Louis County Coordinated Entry System. 
• The Mental Health & Wellness Program offers immediate access to no-cost, no insurance required mental health services including trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy, substance misuse recovery support, peer recovery support, intensive in-home mental health case management and advocacy services to access mental health systems and disability benefits. 
• The Futures Education & Employment Program provides alternative pathways to self-sufficiency for youth who have limited academic and job skills. Services include high school credit recovery, GED tutoring and testing, academic counseling and career exploration, college preparation, job placement, and paid job training in the Legitimate Hustle Program. 

SUMMARY: The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the organization's consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives; overseeing all programs and activities; and assuring appropriate services and resources are available to staff and youth. The Executive Director supervises the Leadership Team. 

Key accomplishments during the organization’s recent history include: 

• 2014 - Received funding appropriated under Minnesota’s Safe Harbor Act to develop specialized housing for teens who have experienced sexual exploitation and/or human trafficking. 
• 2015 – Opened Sol House, a group home for teens who have experienced sexual exploitation and/or human trafficking. 
• 2016 - In partnership with SOAR Career Solutions, received a Youthprise Social Innovation Fund grant to develop a new on-site, paid employment program (the Legitimate Hustle Program). Page 1 of 4 
• 2018 - Launched The Loft teen emergency shelter, bringing the total number of beds for homeless youth operated by Life House to 48. Awarded a Minnesota Department of Human Services grant to offer culturally specific behavioral health services and workforce development. Recognized by the Minnesota Department of Human Services with a “Circle of Excellence” award for Life House’s history of innovation dating back more than 25 years. 
• 2019 - Awarded a Minnesota Department of Health grant to implement a pilot vocational rehabilitation program for young adults in recovery from Opioid Use Disorders. 
• 2020-2023 - Continued to serve youth onsite through the Covid pandemic. In 2021, acquired 16 N. 1st Avenue West property (the Imaginarium), which is utilized for youth programming and community partnerships. 
• 2024 - Will open 13 units of permanent supportive housing at Brewery Creek apartments in July. 

Program Development 

• Work with the Program Directors, program staff and the Board of Directors to develop, implement and evaluate programs to ensure quality service and consistency with mission, goals and objectives. 
• Support staff development and education and assist program staff in relating their specialized work to the total program of the organization. 
• Ensure programs evolve to meet the changing needs of youth by partnering with agencies to ensure youth have access to a continuum of services. 

Administration 

• Assure that the organization has a long-range strategic plan which achieves its mission, and that progress toward that mission is consistent and timely. 
• Provide leadership in developing program, organizational and financial plans with the Board of Directors and staff and carry out plans and policies authorized by the board. 
• Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations. 
• Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and emerging issues in the field through active participation in conferences and continuing education. 
• Work with the Board of Directors to recruit and nominate new board members. 
• Keep the Board of Directors fully informed on the condition of the organization and all important factors influencing it. 
• Represent the programs and the organization to agencies, organizations, and the general public. 

Marketing/Development 

• Assist with leading the Community Impact team in the creation and execution of the annual fundraising plan and the acquisition of financial support from government grants, individuals, foundations, and corporations. 
• Work with the Board of Directors in the development and maintenance of ongoing relationships with major donors. 
• Work with the Community Impact team and Board of Directors to publicize the activities of the organization, its programs and goals. 
• Establish and maintain strong and sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with community groups and organizations. 

Staff Relations/Personnel 

• Oversight of the recruitment, selection, hiring and termination of all personnel, both paid staff and interns. Adhere to a procedure that leads to equitable termination of employment status when staff do not meet performance standards. 
• Work with the Leadership Team to ensure job descriptions are developed, regular performance evaluations are completed, and sound human resource practices are in place. 
• Work with the Board of Directors to develop and review personnel policies, ensuring that all legal requirements of employment are met. 
• Ensure an effective Leadership Team is in place. 
• Maintain a culture which attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse staff of top quality people. 

Fiscal Management 

• Responsible for developing and maintaining sound financial practices. 
• Work with the Finance Director, Leadership Team, Executive Committee, and the Board of Directors in the preparation of an annual budget; ensure the organization operates within budget guidelines. 
• Ensure adequate funds are available to sustain the organization’s ability to carry out its work and mission. With the Board of Directors, conduct official correspondence of the organization. Execute legal documents with designated officers. 

Facilities Management 

• Work with facilities personnel and the Operations Director to oversee the safety and security of Life House buildings and vehicles. 
• Ensure facilities, both owned and managed, incorporate trauma informed designed principles and are code compliant. Direct the maintenance of the facilities including overseeing leases, code compliance, and insurance. 

Qualifications: 

Education: Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred. 

Experience: 5+ years of experience in a supervisory, managerial or leadership role preferred; nonprofit administration, strong operational background and grant writing experience preferred. 

Examples of qualifications include, but are not limited to: 

• Leadership - demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate others; develop and manage highperformance teams; set and achieve strategic objectives; and manage a budget of $3+ million.
• Strong social and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate, build professional relationships and create networks within the community. 
• Proven ability to work with donors, partners, funders, and a Board of Directors to achieve organizational goals and objectives. 
• Strong marketing, public relations, grant writing, fundraising, and communication skills with the ability to engage a broad range of stakeholders and cultures.
• Demonstrated understanding of the dynamics of youth homelessness and principles of housing first, harm reduction, trauma-informed, and person-centered care. 
• Ability to work successfully with diverse populations and provide an environment of inclusion. 
• Ability to achieve and report measurable outcomes and utilize data to drive innovation and continuous improvement. 
• Mission-driven with an unwavering commitment to providing unconditional support and unlimited chances to youth experiencing homelessness and/or other challenges. 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

• Ability to pass a Department of Human Services background check. 
• Valid driver's license and auto insurance.