Area Director

The Area Director of Responsibilities Include: 

Spiritual Development — “Following Jesus” includes prayer and spiritual disciplines, fellowship, growth and health, and church relationships.

• Develop a yearly personal growth plan that fosters a vibrant spiritual life, including time for solitude, retreat, reflection, prayer, and a sincere commitment to understanding God’s Word.
• Seek and maintain relationships and disciplines in the context of active participation in a church community.
• Actively participate in the spiritual life of the Young Life community.
• Lead teams and individuals in spiritual development.
• Ensure that all Young Life ministry in the area is designed and carried out with a dependence on prayer that takes place out of the overflow of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Leadership Development — “Equipping leaders, committees, and staff” includes key volunteer care, recruiting, team building and training, supervision, and vision casting.

• Partner with the Regional Director and committee to cast vision for reaching “every kid” within the defined area.
• Develop consistent gatherings with committees, leaders, and staff to build unity and provide vision and direction.
• Create a spiritual leadership plan for volunteer leaders, staff, and committee members in the area.
• Recruit and train new staff and leaders to build leadership teams that reflect the community.
• Supervise, develop, and evaluate area staff, providing resources and experiences needed to implement the vision.
• Provide quality summer staff, work crew, and adult guests for summer camps.
• Model excellence in contact work, club, campaigners, and camping to other leaders.
• Train leaders, team leaders, and committees how to work effectively in teams and develop a yearly ministry strategy.

Resource Development — “Fueling the ministry” includes events, major donor care, public relations, (branding) and Taking Donors Seriously (TDS) team.

• Provide leadership to the Taking Donors Seriously TDS team and committee in finding partners to own the area vision and budget.
• Develop and lead the area’s fundraising strategy and ensure excellence in communication to donors.
• Raise the necessary funds to carry out the ministry vision for the local area, keeping the area consistently in surplus (goal is a one-month cash reserve minimum).
• Build the Young Life brand via public relations as an excellent tool for working with youth in the area.
• Coordinate and conduct quality events that reflect Young Life’s capacity to impact kids and warrant the investment of a participant’s personal and corporate resources.

Direct Ministry — “Proclaiming and modeling” includes contact work, club, campaigners, and camp.

• Actively engage in all three levels of contact work.
• Lead or co-lead a model Young Life club; lead/supervise an effective Campaigner ministry with excellence.
• Observe and evaluate each of the schools/ministries in the local area on a yearly basis.
• Develop and implement ongoing plans to maximize Gospel proclamation through camping opportunities.
• Serve on a summer assignment at a Young Life property, other Young Life camps or in another position each summer.

Ministry Support — “Taking care of business” includes accounting, administration, communication (internal), data management, and a strategic plan.

• Adhere to all Young Life policies and procedures and maintain professionalism concerning office hours, dress, conduct, and time management.
• Manage finances with stewardship, accountability, and transparency using the mission-wide applications.
• Maintain accurate information on kids, leaders, and donors for area records.
• Provide clear, prompt, appropriate, and professional communication to everyone involved in ministry.
• Set yearly strategic ministry plan and initiatives to reach every kid; review them on a regular basis.
• Perform other duties as assigned and congruent with gifts, experience, and area needs.

Training:

• Participation in mission wide staff conferences every four years.
• Participation in additional training or experiences if deemed necessary (e.g., more urban exposure, Taking Donors Seriously (TDS) training).
• Attend regional training as directed by the regional director.
• Pursue continuing educational opportunities, including graduate degrees.
• Participate in programs designed for personal spiritual maturity or personal enrichment.
• Pursue seminars designed to enhance professional skills.

What You Bring: 

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Area Director:

Education & Experience

• College degree preferred
• Young Life experience is not required; Prior experience working with teens in an educational or church setting is preferred

Essential Prerequisites for All Staff Members at Young Life 

Because of Young Life’s exclusive Christian purposes of evangelism and discipleship as set forth in its Articles of Incorporation and in these Bylaws, and to reflect what has always been and will continue to be the position of Young Life, specifically the Christian belief that each and every employee and volunteer of the corporation should minister as a servant of God with the primary responsibility of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and, as such, is an integral part of the Christian mission and ministry of the corporation, Young Life shall only employ individuals or enlist volunteer leaders who: (a) profess a belief in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord; and (b) subscribe to the statements and policies required of all Young Life staff, including the Young Life Statement of Faith.

Therefore, employees and volunteers of Young Life, during working and nonworking hours, shall: (i) be ready, willing and able to fulfill such ministry functions as may be required by the organization; (ii) refrain from conduct and statements that detract from the biblical standards taught and supported by Young Life, and (iii) abide by all policies and practices of Young Life including, without limitation, those related to religious belief or ministry activities.

What It’s Like to Live in The Western Suburbs of Chicago: 

Living in the western suburbs of Chicago offers a unique blend of suburban charm and vibrant community life that many find appealing. You will quickly discover the family-friendly environment that defines the suburbs. Excellent public schools are just around the corner, making it easy for families to provide their children with quality education. Parks and recreational areas abound, offering plenty of space for outdoor activities like picnics, sports, and leisurely strolls.

Recreation is abundant in this region, with numerous parks and forest preserves inviting residents to explore nature. The changing seasons bring their own beauty; vibrant autumn leaves give way to winter snowfalls that transform the landscape into a picturesque wonderland.

The Western Chicago suburbs offer a balanced lifestyle filled with community engagement, accessibility to urban amenities, and a family-oriented atmosphere. It’s a place where you can create roots, build relationships, and savor both the tranquility of suburban life and the excitement of nearby city adventures.