Executive Director - Safe Place Services

WHO WE ARE

Louisville is a vibrant city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and dynamic blend of southern charm and urban sophistication. Nestled along the Ohio River, it is best known as the home of the Kentucky Derby, the iconic horse race held annually at Churchill Downs. Louisville boasts a diverse array of attractions, including the Muhammad Ali Center, a thriving arts scene with numerous galleries, theaters, and the renowned Speed Art Museum. The city's culinary landscape is equally impressive, featuring a burgeoning food and bourbon scene. Its historic neighborhoods, scenic parks, and warm hospitality, Louisville offers a unique and inviting atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. The YMCA of Greater Louisville is a cornerstone of community well-being, offering a diverse range of programs and services aimed at fostering healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility. In addition to 10 wellness facility locations, the Y offers childcare, youth sports, swim lessons, summer camps, Safe Place Services Shelter House and other youth and adult programming. Committed to inclusivity, the YMCA ensures that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Through its dedicated staff and volunteers, the YMCA of Greater Louisville continues to create a positive impact by promoting physical health, mental well-being, and a sense of community among its members.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director of Safe Place Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all youth crisis and shelter programs within the YMCA of Greater Louisville. This role supervises the delivery of high-quality, trauma-informed services for vulnerable youth while advancing the YMCA's mission of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Additionally, this position ensures a seamless system of response, assessment, intervention, and referral for all clients with programs that aim to strengthen young people's ability to develop to their fullest potential by reducing risk factors, navigating systems towards successful life transition, ensuring stability, safety, and wellness in times of crisis, and building competencies and social capital. Safe Place Services has a range of programs, including Shelter House (a 24-hour Emergency Shelter for teens); the Y-NOW Mentoring program (11-14yr old youth); the Youth Development Drop-in Center (18-24yr old homeless youth); Street Outreach Services and local Project Safe Place.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred (social work, human services, nonprofit leadership, public administration, or related field) 7-10+ years of leadership experience in nonprofit, human services, or youth-serving organizations Experience managing multi-program operations and teams Background in youth services, shelter systems, or behavioral health Experience with government contracts, grants, and compliance Strong interpersonal skills and outstanding, effective communication skills Ability to problem solve, take initiative, and adhere to the purpose, mission and goals of the

YMCA YMCA

leadership certification (or ability to obtain)