LAUNCH Program Leader

POSITION SUMMARY:   

The LAUNCH Program Leader provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for a two-year apprenticeship program that prepares emerging adults for vocational mission in Europe.

This role establishes the core program framework, equips host-site leaders, and ensures alignment across locations in program expectations, training, care, and communication.

The Leader collaborates with sending and receiving partners, supports host leaders, and helps ensure that what is communicated about LAUNCH is realistic, clear, and deliverable.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Vision & Strategic Leadership

Clarify and steward the purpose, scope, and long-term direction of LAUNCH.

Define core program standards, non-negotiables, and delivery expectations across host sites.

Lead long-range planning for sustainable growth, scalable systems, and continuous improvement.

Represent the program with key partners as needed while building shared ownership.

Organizational & Executive Oversight

Supervise host-site leaders and program coordinators, ensuring clear communication, reporting, accountability, and evaluation systems.

Align expectations with host sites regarding placements, roles, support structures, and delivery realities.

Oversee program policies, risk management, safeguarding, and operational review of outcomes.

Spiritual & Formational Leadership

Safeguard the discipleship and apprenticeship philosophy of LAUNCH through participant formation, spiritual practices, intercultural learning, and ministry reflection.

Equip host-site leaders to mentor apprentices with consistency, care, and appropriate expectations.

Cultivate a healthy program culture marked by prayer, missional obedience, and team health.

Recruitment & Development

Involvement in apprentice recruitment in both North America and Europe.

Support the identification and development of future host sites and leaders.

Contribute to promotional materials, interviews, and selection processes, as needed.

Financial & Operational Oversight

Work with finance teams to develop and manage program budgets.

Ensure financial accountability across multiple locations.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL GEM WORKERS – see Expectations for GEM Workers for further details

maintain personal spiritual vitality and a healthy family life

engage in personal discipleship for the growth and multiplication of obedient Christ followers

actively participate in a local church

take at least one day/quarter as a spiritual retreat (Day away with God)

maintain prayer and financial support

contribute to the operation and health of your GEM field community

report monthly (ex. Metrics)

participate in field-wide and mission-wide meetings, retreats and conferences as required

REQUIRED SKILLS:

Strategic leadership

Organizational and systems thinking

Intercultural awareness

Pastoral wisdom and emotional maturity

Leadership coaching and development

Sound judgment and conflict resolution

Collaborative communication

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY 

Indirect supervision of Site Hosts

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

This is a part-time position, days and hours of work flexible.

TRAVEL:

Some travel will be required

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.