Senior Operations & Advocacy Leader - Youth Health Nonprofit

Our client, a prominent nonprofit organization focused on youth health equity, is searching for a Senior Operations & Advocacy Leader to drive strategic initiatives and policy work throughout Arkansas. The organization's mission centers on equipping young people with comprehensive, evidence-based health information and positioning youth as active partners and leaders in building healthier communities.

As the second-in-command for this state initiative, you'll blend strategic vision with operational execution. You'll manage daily operations, spearhead policy and advocacy efforts at the state level, and cultivate partnerships across multiple sectors in Arkansas.

This position offers a chance to create lasting change in youth health outcomes across Arkansas while leveraging a successful regional framework that centers youth leadership, health equity, and trauma-responsive approaches.

Organizational Leadership & Management

• Serve as Acting Director in the absence of the Executive Director for state-related matters
• Collaborate with regional leadership to adapt proven systems and processes for the Arkansas context
• Supervise and manage program staff, contractors, and consultants, providing leadership, coaching, and professional development
• Oversee daily operations to ensure high-quality program delivery and alignment with strategic goals across Arkansas
• Ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations applicable to nonprofit operations in Arkansas

Program Oversight & Development

• Build sustainable programs that are responsive to the unique needs of Arkansas youth and communities
• Develop and expand the organization's program portfolio, adapting evidence-based models to Arkansas communities
• Ensure program data collection, evaluation, and reporting meet organizational and funder standards
• Integrate youth voice, equity principles, and trauma-informed practices into all program design and delivery
• Lead the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programs, ensuring alignment with community needs and funder requirements

Policy & Advocacy Leadership

• Track, analyze, and respond to proposed legislation and policy changes affecting youth health and education
• Advocate for comprehensive approaches to youth health that prioritize access to accurate information and resources
• Build and maintain relationships with Arkansas policymakers, state agencies, and advocacy coalitions
• Equip youth and community partners to engage in policy advocacy through training, resources, and technical assistance
• Lead state-level policy and advocacy initiatives, advancing legislation and policies that promote youth health equity
• Navigate complex political landscapes with strategic communication that resonates across diverse constituencies

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop trusted partnerships in communities that may be skeptical of or resistant to comprehensive health education
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Arkansas-based partners, funders, policymakers, and community leaders
• Engage with schools, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and youth-serving agencies to advance the mission
• Serve as a credible spokesperson who can discuss sensitive topics with authenticity and cultural awareness
• Represent the organization at community events, coalitions, conferences, and policy forums across the state

Fiscal & Resource Management

• Maintain strong stewardship practices with current and prospective funders
• Oversee grant compliance and ensure timely submission of reports and deliverables for Arkansas-based projects
• Collaborate with finance leadership to develop and manage the state budget and financial reporting
• Support fundraising efforts by identifying new funding opportunities, contributing to proposal development, and engaging donors

Cross-State Coordination

• Participate in multi-state leadership meetings and joint initiatives
• Travel occasionally to Mississippi for coordination meetings and collaborative initiatives
• Share Arkansas insights, trends, and lessons learned to inform regional strategies
• Serve as the Arkansas liaison to regional leadership teams to ensure alignment in brand, strategy, and…