Executive Director

Executive Director (Part-Time, Exempt)

Lowcountry Youth Services

Organization Type: 501(c)(3) nonprofit

Organizational Focus: Youth development, mentoring, leadership, and educational enrichment for boys and girls ages 8–18

Reports To: Board of Directors

FLSA Classification: Exempt (Executive)

Location: North Charleston, SC

Application Deadline: May 29, 2026

Target Start Date: July 1, 2026

Position Summary

Lowcountry Youth Services (LYS) is reopening its search for a mission-driven, high-capacity Executive Director with demonstrated excellence in grant writing, fundraising, strategic revenue development, and community partnership building.

As LYS enters its next chapter, the Board is prioritizing candidates who can lead programs and strengthen the organization’s financial sustainability, external visibility, and long-term growth through a strong development strategy and collaborative leadership.

This role is ideal for an experienced nonprofit leader who understands that impactful youth programming requires both mission alignment and the ability to secure, steward, and expand resources.

About Lowcountry Youth Services

Lowcountry Youth Services (LYS) is a South Carolina-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth ages 8–18 through mentoring, leadership development, educational enrichment, and community engagement.

Founded in 2008 as Connections and You, Inc., LYS has grown into a respected youth-serving organization with flagship programs including Distinguished Gentlemen’s Club, Queens Being, Girls on the Rise, and Young Men Rise.

LYS serves youth and families through school-based and community-based programming and is committed to ensuring that Every Child Wins through strong mentorship, strategic partnerships, and equitable opportunity.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive leader of Lowcountry Youth Services and is responsible for driving the organization’s mission through resource development, strategic partnerships, operational leadership, and community credibility.

This search is specifically focused on candidates with proven strength in:

• Grant writing and grant management
• Fundraising strategy and donor cultivation
• Corporate and foundation partnerships
• Community partnership development
• Revenue diversification
• External relations and organizational visibility

The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors to expand the organization’s capacity, increase sustainable funding, deepen program reach, and strengthen strategic relationships across schools, nonprofits, corporations, and public institutions.

Time Commitment: Approximately 20–28 hours per week with flexibility; evenings and weekends required as needed for events, donor cultivation, youth programming, and community engagement.

Core Leadership Priorities

Fundraising, Grant Writing & Revenue Development (45%)

Primary Priority Area

The Executive Director must be able to:

• Lead comprehensive fundraising strategy
• Write, secure, and manage competitive grants
• Build and maintain relationships with institutional funders
• Cultivate individual donors and sponsorships
• Expand corporate giving opportunities
• Develop diversified revenue streams
• Oversee donor stewardship systems and fundraising campaigns
• Collaborate with the Board on fundraising strategy

Community Partnerships & External Relations (25%)

• Build strategic relationships with schools, agencies, businesses, and community leaders
• Strengthen visibility and credibility throughout the Lowcountry
• Serve as the organization’s lead ambassador
• Expand collaborative partnerships that increase access, reach, and sustainability
• Lead strategic communications and brand growth

Organizational Leadership & Program Oversight (20%)

• Oversee staff, programs, and volunteer structures
• Ensure quality youth development outcomes
• Align programming with mission and funding priorities
• Lead strategic planning implementation

Board Relations, Compliance & Operations (10%)

• Support governance best practices
• Maintain regulatory, grant, and fiscal compliance
• Provide transparent reports to the Board
• Oversee budgeting and operational stewardship

Required Qualifications

Strongly Preferred:

• Minimum 5–7 years of nonprofit leadership experience
• Demonstrated success securing grants and managing grant-funded programs
• Proven fundraising and donor development track record
• Experience building community partnerships across multiple sectors
• Strong public speaking and relationship-building skills
• Experience working with or reporting to a Board of Directors
• Knowledge of nonprofit financial stewardship and compliance

Ideal Candidate Profile

The strongest candidates will demonstrate:

• A builder’s mindset
• Revenue-generation capability
• Strategic relationship management
• Exceptional written communication (especially grant writing)
• Comfort serving as the public face of an organization
• Passion for youth development with measurable leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior Executive Director or senior nonprofit leadership experience
• Experience with youth development, mentoring, or education-based organizations
• Familiarity with South Carolina grant and nonprofit landscape
• Existing regional relationships with funders or institutions

Child Safety Commitment

The Executive Director must maintain the highest standards of child safety, including youth protection systems, background checks, mandated reporting, and staff/volunteer accountability.

Compensation & Compliance Statement

This role is classified as Exempt (Executive) under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Salary Range: $35,568 – $44,100 annually