Executive Director

Responsible for the oversight of our staff, programs and facilities which run the breadth of Lutheran Youth and Young Adults experiences for schools, church- based groups and wider community members.....

Lutheran Youth of Queensland (LYQ) is a department of the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District. We are seeking to appoint a new Executive Director whose role is to oversee the various ministry arms of Lutheran Youth of Queensland including the management of our flagship outdoor adventure facility at Luther Heights (Coolum), as well as guiding a team of staff to partner with congregations, schools and agencies of the Church to provide specialized programs, avenues for faith-based connections and various mentorship ministries to the young people of Queensland.

The Executive Director is responsible for the oversight of our staff, programs and facilities which run the breadth of Lutheran Youth and Young Adults experiences for schools, church- based groups and wider community members. We do this by providing training, support, resources and facilitating regional camps and events with the intention to grow connected, hope-filled people. Please see our website lyq.org.au for an oversight of LYQ.

The Executive Director is the key leadership role of the department and within the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District. It is therefore important that the LYQ Executive Director actively supports the faith practices and values of the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District and is willing to promote, respect and work towards fulfilling our Vision, Mission, Values, and Strategic Priorities. LYQ’s vision, mission, and values Faith, Leadership, Relational.

• Vision - Why we’re here - Grow connected, hope-filled people
• Mission - What we’re doing - Demonstrating Christ’s love, investing in young lives, encouraging growth
• Values - How we do it - Open to growth, bring the fun, show heart, together

LYQ Objectives

• To bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to young people;
• To help young people to draw closer to their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ through the study of God's Word;
• To encourage and assist young people to be faithful to God, the Church and the Lutheran Confessions;
• To encourage and assist young people to be disciples of Jesus Christ;
• To encourage young people to be involved and serve in the ministry of a congregation;
• To support and encourage congregations in their nurture of young people;
• To create and maintain interest in mission, and to assist in training young people for this responsibility;
• To encourage and assist young people to fulfill their Christian responsibilities as members of the home and community;
• To foster the bond of Christian fellowship among young people.

PURPOSE

To further the mission of LYQ by providing strategic leadership and coordination of all LYQ mission areas ensuring that they support and advance LYQ’s vision and mission within the wider mission and in alignment with the strategic charter of the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District.

KEY OBJECTIVES

1. The LYQ Executive Director is responsible to develop, maintain and coordinate a strategic ministry strategy that identifies and includes:

• LYQ’s vision, mission, and values
• LYQ’s ministry goals and strategies
• The establishment and utilization of effective communication practices.
• Maintain a program to ensure suitably qualified and skilled workforce members are available to serve the needs of LYQ.
• Active promotion of volunteer involvement and ownership
• Implementation of continuous review and improvement schedules
• Appropriate reporting mechanisms including processes required by the District Board of the Lutheran Church of the Queensland District.

1. The LYQ Executive Director is responsible for the strategic and day to day management of LYQ’s operations. It is expected that this will involve the following responsibilities;

• The development of a cohesive organisation run in a spirit of Christian love and mutual care
• Development of sustainable systems and practices to promote healthy work practices and culture
• Implementation and adherence to District’s, and other statutory bodies’, policies, guidelines and standards of governance
• The oversight of Luther Heights Youth Camp (LHYC) through the LHYC management function to ensure its long-term viability and success
• Active promotion of volunteer involvement and ownership
• Implementation of continuous review and improvement schedules for the performance of the Department
• Appropriate reporting mechanisms

1. The LYQ Executive Director is responsible for the financial management of LYQ’s operations. It is expected that this will involve the following responsibilities.

• Setting and maintaining LYQ’s budget for approval by LYQ Council
• Development of LYQ’s longer-term financial goals
• Development and implementation of an appropriate financial structure for LYQ in order to meet its current needs and future direction. It is anticipated that this will involve the development and implementation of a fundraising strategy.
• Implementation of continuous review schedules to track performance
• Appropriate reporting mechanisms

1. The LYQ Executive Director is responsible for managing the staff of LYQ. It is expected that this will involve the following responsibilities;

• The development and on-going review of an appropriate staffing structure to achieve the Department’s mission and goals
• Ensuring that LYQ staff have terms and conditions of employment compliant with the applicable legislation, industrial agreements, LCAQD policies and LYQ own policies
• The development of a work environment that provides staff with opportunities for personal and professional growth
• Proactive succession planning and retention strategies
• Active promotion of volunteer staff involvement and ownership within LYQ
• Appropriate reporting mechanisms

1. The LYQ Executive Director is responsible for the effective marketing and promotion of LYQ. It is expected that this will involve the following responsibilities;

• The development and implementation of a comprehensive communication strategy that includes;

i. Promotion (event and otherwise)

ii. Compatibility with the fundraising strategy

iii. Effective feedback channels

iv. Compliance with all relevant LCAQD and LCA policies

• Client focussed operational practices and culture
• Appropriate complaint handling procedures

Accountability

This role reports directly to LYQ Council and takes instruction from them.

ROLE Performance

To assist with your professional development, and to ensure that your position remains correctly classified, LYQ Council will review your performance and the job description annually. This review will be completed by the first week in December each year.

Key Personal Attributes

1. Alignment with LYQ’s vision to grow connected, hope-filled people across Queensland.

2. Deep commitment to the Gospel and a passion for youth ministry.

3. Models and leads staff with a clear gospel theology.

4. Strong relational and communication skills, with the ability to connect across generations and cultures.

5. Has well developed organizational skills

6. A capacity to collaborate, plan, organise, meet deadlines and provide clear expectations. Has the capacity to work independently and professionally.

7. Demonstrates good interpersonal skills including:

a. A safe and respectful rapport with young people and young adults.

b. Able to work well and communicate effectively with school staff.

c. Can communicate well in verbal and written form.

8. Has the ability to coach and mentor staff,

9. Experience in pastoral care, leadership development, and collaborative ministry.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education and Experience

• Tertiary qualification/s or demonstrated equivalent life experience capacity in a related field, (e.g. education, business, leadership, administration, or other areas with related skills to the role).
• Studies in the areas of Christian Faith and or pastoral care may be beneficial education or qualifications/degree is desirable
• Demonstrated successful leadership in youth ministries in a congregational or Parish setting is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in the training of young people and adults.
• Driver’s License
• Must have or be able to obtain a driver’s license
• Must secure and maintain an active Blue Card from the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety.

If you’re ready to bring your energy, creativity, and business savvy to a role where faith meets purpose, we’d love to hear from you. For further information about the position please contact Janelle Anderson on 0448609070 or at andersonzac@bigpond.com. 

Please provide a copy of your resume and covering letter (no more than 2 pages) addressing the key selection criteria listed in the Position Description and demonstrate why you would be the best fit. Let us know your goals and what would excite you about a role like this.

Applications are to be submitted via the 'Apply to this Job' button below no later than 05 June 2026.

Apply now and join us to grow hope-filled people across Queensland.