CLIENT SUMMARY

LifeWise exists to reach unchurched students in public schools with the gospel. They do this by providing Bible education to public school students during school hours. And no, they’re not joking!

Decades ago, around the time when the Bible and prayer were being removed from public education, a window of opportunity was opened. In 1952, the Supreme Court ruled that public school students can be released from school in the middle of the school day to receive Bible education, as long as the program is off school property, privately funded and the students have parental permission. They believe this is the single greatest missed opportunity of the American church to reach the next generation.

Now more than ever this is so important because kids are hurting. There are all time highs in anxiety, depression and suicide among our youth and the life-giving Word of God is reaching fewer and fewer ears and eyes, especially among our next generation. Simply put, students need the Word of God!

POSITION OBJECTIVE

LifeWise is seeking a gospel-centered, results-driven and detail-oriented State Director to join their team. This is a regional position responsible for cultivating programs and donors for LifeWise Academy across Alabama. This will involve developing community interest in order to launch new programs and managing an individual pipeline of donors and strategic partners. This person will report to the VP of Advancement and will be focused on growing LifeWise across the state by making key connections with Churches, Schools Administrators, Community Leaders, Donors, Strategic Partners & Government Relations. Initially, this person will manage the statewide committee and local volunteers across the state. Long term, they will have the ability to grow their team and continue to advance the mission of LifeWise!

POSITION KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

State personnel activities are grouped into two primary areas of focus: Program Growth and Advancement. Program Growth includes Church Relations, School Administrators, Local and Regional Leaders. Advancement focuses on Donors, Strategic Partnerships, and Government Relations.

Program Growth Responsibilities

• Responsible for becoming knowledgeable about LifeWise and its priorities in order to communicate those properties effectively to prospective programs and donors.
• Serve as LifeWise Ambassadors throughout the region, introducing the concept of LifeWise Academy and cultivating community interest.
• Recruit local individuals to register as Street Team Members. Serve as the primary connector between interested communities and the Program Coaches.
• Connect with existing networks of ministries, churches and organizations to discover opportunities
• Form an ambassador team and begin conducting regular “LifeWise 101” meetings throughout the region to raise awareness, grow community support and identify local leaders
• Identify “low hanging fruit” communities and schools to begin and accelerate the 10-step launch process, contributing to momentum in the area

Advancement Responsibilities

• Help establish and provide oversight to the Statewide Committee and goals
• Secure ongoing funding by building the LifeWise Giving Society, identifying fundraising campaign committee members and establishing a regional site for the annual LifeWise banquet
• Participate in each step of the donor pipeline and maintain an organized system for donor stewardship by updating constituent records in Salesforce.
• Responsible for meeting established donor/prospect visits, solicitation/proposal and revenue goals.
• Develop donor strategies to renew and upgrade donor gifts.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE NEEDED

• Proven track record of 5+ years in management and people leadership within the nonprofit or related field.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and public speaking, with 5+ years of experience.
• Bachelor's degree preferred, showcasing a commitment to continuous learning and growth.
• A mature personal Christian faith that is consistent with the LifeWise Academy Statement of Faith.
• Extensive experience collaborating with ministry personnel, C-suite executives, school administrators, and community leaders.
• Proficiency in Project Management, Sales, and Marketing, illustrating a well-rounded skill set.
• Experience working in an organization using the EOS/Traction framework, or at minimum familiarity with it.
• Committed, competent, and driven, with exceptional communication skills.
• High emotional intelligence, fostering strong relationships and navigating complex situations adeptly.
• Genuine passion for the nonprofit sector and its mission-driven work.
• Self-motivated, hardworking, resilient, and persevering, ensuring success in challenging environments.
• Willingness and ability to travel regionally, including occasional overnight stays as necessary.