POSITION SUMMARY
The Youth Director creates engaging, discipleship-focused environments where middle and high school students are known, challenged, and equipped to own their faith and live it out. This role develops leaders, partners with parents, and helps students take meaningful steps toward knowing Jesus and making Him known.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Small Groups (Discipleship and Care): Create environments where students are personally known, spiritually challenged, and consistently discipled through relationships.
- Champion a strong small group culture where every student is connected to a consistent leader and group to ensure they are: known, valued, connected, and discipled.
- Equip leaders to disciple students through conversation, care, coaching, and ownership.
- Build meaningful relationships with students and help lead other leaders by being present in the rhythms of their lives (schools, games, performances, events, and activities), helping students feel seen, valued, and supported beyond weekly gatherings
- Develop pathways for students to grow from attendance into ownership and leadership
- Oversee small group structure, leader placement, and student follow-up processes
- Pastor and care for students through relational connection and presence
Gatherings (Experience and Engagement): Create engaging environments that help students encounter Jesus, understand truth, and respond in faith.
- Oversee all Youth environments, including weekly gatherings, services, events, retreats, camps, and trips
- Create experiences that are: Gospel-centered / Relational / Engaging
- Preach or oversee biblical teaching that helps students: know truth, own their faith, and live it out
- Lead service planning and execution for Youth gatherings
- Ensure environments are welcoming, excellent, and student-focused.
- Develop opportunities for others in worship, teaching, response, serving, outreach, and spiritual growth.
- Oversee follow-up systems for new students and families
Development (Leaders and Students): Develop healthy leaders and equip students to become disciple-makers.
- Recruit, train, and develop volunteer leaders and coaches
- Create a leadership culture focused on: Ownership / Growth / Care / Spiritual maturity
- Provide ongoing coaching, encouragement, and support for leaders
- Facilitate leader meetings, coaching rhythms, and team development
- Foster a healthy and sustainable volunteer culture
- Develop student leadership opportunities within Youth and the broader church
- Equip students to serve both inside and outside the church
- Build leadership pipelines for both adults and students
Parents/Guardians (Partnership and Support): Partner with parents to support and reinforce spiritual growth at home.
- Develop intentional communication rhythms with parents and families
- Provide resources and support to help parents navigate the teenage years spiritually and relationally by partnering with them in key moments of student growth, care, and discipleship.
- Build relational trust between parents and Youth leaders
- Create opportunities for parent connection, support, and engagement
Leadership and Administration: Contribute to and sustain the vision of Youth ministry within the scope of the mission of Northwood church.
- Lead, align, and provide support for Youth staff, leaders, and volunteers
- Ensure all environments, supplies, budgets, and logistics are prepared for all gatherings, events, trips, camps, etc.
- Maintain attendance and engagement records to track growth, connection, and follow-up.
- Participate in staff meetings, trainings, retreats, and church-wide initiatives
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
The following competencies must be met or worked toward improving:
Budget Management
- Build and steward a healthy ministry budget.
- Collaborate with the Administration on yearly expenditure projections.
- Submit a yearly budget for the Department
Personal Development
- Pursue development through training, coaching networks, and resources to aid in personal, leadership, and spiritual development.
Time management
- Ensure a healthy work-life balance for you and your team.
- Ensure your team is supported to complete assigned tasks.
- Use and report time off according to NW P&P
- Facilitate adequate staffing for ministry needs via staff or volunteers
Decision Making
- Make sound financial decisions based on budget allowances and good stewardship of available funds
- Delegate responsibilities to your team and /or volunteers as needed.
- Develop/secure curriculum and supplies for age-appropriate learning.
Communication
- Effectively communicate the vision and core values to your team and volunteers
- Report any issues to the appropriate supervisor or Lead Pastor.
Coach Others
- Provide support for team members with one-on-one meetings, encouraging personal and spiritual growth
- Provide training and coaching opportunities for team members.
Lead Meetings
- Weekly department meetings, which outline the schedules, conflicts, and expectations for your team.
- Daily check-in with your team to clearly understand current projects and the personal support you can provide.
DETAILS
Area: Family Ministry
Department: Youth
Reports to: Associate Pastor (to begin)
Status: Full Time / Exempt
This position may be eligible for future pastoral licensing
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Relocation assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
Work Location: In person
