About Life Story Club
Life Story Club (LSC) was established to combat the loneliness epidemic facing older people, the health risks of which are as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day - a public health emergency underscored by the Surgeon General's loneliness advisory. We organize intimate social clubs for older adults to share life stories, to foster connections and enhance a sense of belonging and purpose. LSC envisions a world where older people are seen, heard, and valued.
We prioritize older adults who are homebound, living with poor health, low-income or are from immigrant or LGBTQ communities - groups that are most at-risk for loneliness and isolation. Clubs are run over Zoom or phone with tech support, and in-person. Clubs are led by trained, younger facilitators who offer up story prompts each week and assist members in preserving their stories digitally in the Life Story Library, to be shared securely with loved ones.
LSC’s program model has proven impact, with 93% of older adult participants reporting a stronger sense of community, 92% experiencing improved mood, and over 75% showing a decrease in their UCLA loneliness scores—the gold standard for measuring loneliness—within just three months of participation. To reach those most at risk for loneliness, the organization partners with community-based organizations like Citymeals, government agencies such as the New York City Housing Authority, as well as public libraries and health systems.
Learn more about Life Story Club at lifestoryclub.org.
The Opportunity
The Executive Director of Life Story Club is responsible for the overall strategic, operational, and financial management of the organization. This role requires a dynamic leader who is deeply passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of older Americans. The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors, staff, funders and partner organizations to advance the mission and goals of Life Story Club. The Executive Director is supervised and supported by the Board of Directors through individual meetings with directors as well as through reporting, presentation, and discussion at board meetings.
The Executive Director’s key areas of focus and responsibilities will include:
Leadership and Strategic Planning
- Develop and implement strategic plans that align with the mission and vision established by the Life Story Club Board of Directors. This includes setting annual specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for program expansion, fundraising, and organizational growth.
- Provide entrepreneurial and strategic leadership to board and staff, serving as a role model in fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and excellence
- Develop and execute a plan for scaling Life Story Club’s impact, exploring potential partnerships, collaborations, and program innovations.
- Ensure the continued development and management of a professional and efficient organization.
- Establish internal processes and structures that support long-term scalability and professionalization while maintaining the organization’s community-driven mission.
Fundraising and Financial Management
- Create and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies for a nonprofit organization with a $750K annual budget and aspirations for significant growth, to diversify and grow financial support from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
- Strengthen the organization’s development infrastructure, building a strong major gifts program and ensuring a sustainable funding pipeline.
- Build development staffing and support.
- Oversee the preparation of the annual budget and audit as well as manage financial performance with a fractional CFA to ensure financial stability and sustainability.
- Identify critical resource gaps and develop strategies for closing those gaps.
- Ensure that the organization operates within budget guidelines and maintains sound financial practices.
Program Development and Oversight
- Oversee the design, marketing, delivery, quality, and data collection of programs and services.
- Develop program staff and volunteer base to the needs of a growing organization.
- Ensure that all programs and services are rooted in evidence, effective, accessible, and aligned with the needs of our club members.
- Measure and disseminate the impact of programs and services and use data to inform and improve future initiatives.
- Expand program reach through innovative strategies, ensuring more older adults benefit from Life Story Club’s model.
Community and Public Relations
- Serve as the primary spokesperson for Life Story Club, representing the organization to the community, media, and other stakeholders.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, donors, and other stakeholders
- Advocate for policies and practices that identify and address loneliness and social isolation facing older people.
- Develop strategic partnerships with healthcare organizations, senior service providers, and community groups to integrate Life Story Club into broader aging and well-being initiatives.
- Position Life Story Club as a national leader in combating social isolation among older adults by leveraging media, research partnerships, and thought leadership opportunities.
Board Relations
- Assist the Chair of the Board of the directors in organizing information for and the hosting of meetings of the Board of Directors.
- Provide regular reports to the Board on organizational performance, financial status, and strategic initiatives.
- Assist in the recruitment, orientation, and development of Board members
- Oversee compliance and work closely with the Board of Directors to develop and implement organizational policies and procedures that comply with legal and various funder requirements.
In addition, strong candidates will offer the following qualifications and experience:
- Passion for the mission of Life Story Club, with a bold and entrepreneurial spirit that thrives in a start-up environment.
- Demonstrated ability to build an organization’s infrastructure, expanding from an early-stage nonprofit to a national leader in its field.
- Track record of developing and executing a compelling growth strategy.
- Proven experience in major donor relations, securing and expanding funding sources (individual, corporate, and government), and successfully scaling fundraising efforts.
- 10+ years in mid-size human services organizations, with experience leading programs from proof of concept to scale.
- Demonstrated experience in growing and managing teams of 5 to 10 people.
- Ability to professionalize internal systems, ensuring sustainable operations that support growth.
- Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and public speaking skills.
- Self-motivated, organized, with high ethical standards.
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse groups of people, including staff, board members, donors, and community partners.
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range for this position is $150,000-$165,000.
Life Story Club offers employees access to a healthcare plan, a 403(b) retirement savings plan with pre-tax contribution options, and we are currently exploring additional benefits to further enhance the overall experience for our employees. This is a full-time and on-site work environment in NYC.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement
It is the mission of Life Story Club to foster healthy aging by creating spaces for older adults to come together through storytelling, helping to overcome the effects of loneliness and social isolation experienced by an older population. Making sure that all of our stakeholders feel seen and heard, and fostering a sense of belonging is at the core of who we are and what we do. We do not exclude anyone regardless of their race, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical abilities, sexual orientation, veteran status, or criminal history.
Life Story Club celebrates all of our stakeholders' differences. We believe that diversity makes us stronger. We are committed to creating a collaborative, inclusive environment— one that encourages authenticity and fosters a sense of belonging. We strive for everyone to feel valued connected, and empowered to reach their potential and contribute their best. We believe that when people feel respected and included they can be more creative, innovative, and successful. Our commitment to these values is unwavering across all of our work and all of our Life Story Clubs.
Contact
Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Shelby Woods and Denielle Pemberton-Heard. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.