Director of Community Impact

United Way of the Plains

Job Opportunity: Director of Community Impact  

Reports to: Vice President of Community Impact

OVERVIEW

The successful candidate for this position is one who thrives on solving challenging problems, balances empathy and pragmatism. The position requires a change agent who runs towards challenging problems to help craft innovative solutions in partnership with community stakeholders. This position requires a strong leader who is outward facing, approachable, and engaging in order to build a new and better future for all citizens of our community. Additionally, regardless of role or team, every United Way of the Plains employee must be able to demonstrate our core values as defined on our website: Community, Collaboration, Leadership, People, Diversity, Advocacy and Stewardship. These values shape our internal behaviors and communicate to our various stakeholders who we are and what we stand for.

A Director of Community Impact is generally responsible for the management of several of United Way’s funded partner portfolios and related community activities including community engagement, partnership building, program implementation, community investments, annual reporting, and evaluation of results.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The major responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

·      Be relationship focused; particularly with our funded partners focused on education. Facilitate and maintain strategic alliances/partnerships with public, private and non-profit organizations to develop, integrate, and implement program priorities.

·      Provide and lead issue-based collaborations within the Education focus area.

·      Responsible for asset mapping, data collection of community needs, gap analysis, and identification of best practices to ensure our community engagement and partnerships are appropriately aligned, comprehensive and efficient to meet stated financial outcomes.

·      Design and coordinate strategies that mobilize the involvement of citizen and community groups, key funders and community leadership to work toward specific outcomes and leverage the power of collective impact whenever possible.

·      Set education related impact goals that lead to community results.

·      Seek to provide solutions that can generate revenue and provide a benefit to the community.

·      Manage grant funding that are provided from several sources which are critical to addressing educational gaps in the community.

·      Help “package” a cause related to education to match donor interest in making a community impact.

·      Advocate for social change in education causes the community cares about; provide a platform to amplify community voices.

·      Nurture nonprofit networks focused on education, treating other nonprofits as partners and colleagues.

·      Represent the United Way on various local task forces to stay apprised of educational issues and activities related to our work and strengthening the community.

·      Facilitate communication and coordinated efforts between internal departments. Works closely with the Philanthropy department to cultivate key relationships (i.e. with donors, corporations and foundations) to increase fundraising capacity; and the Marketing department to effectively communicate the impact of our work.

·      Manage all United Way’s community investments in educational activities.

·      Participate in grant writing opportunities.

·      Produce reports on education related topics.

·      Identify and address public policy issues, particularly around issues pertaining to education.

Minimum requirements and qualifications:

·      Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g. education, social services, social sciences, etc.) is required.

·      At least five years of experience working with groups and organizations in a community environment.  

·      Proficiency using computers, including MS Office, the Internet, and databases.

·      Strong written and oral communication skills.

·      Strong relationship and team-building skills.

·      Proven critical thinking skills.

·      Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

·      Capable of working effectively with limited supervision.

·      Able to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive information.

Non-Negotiable Hiring Criteria:

·      Excellent negotiation, analytical, organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills.

·      Relentless, naturally curious and self-motivated in a never-ending pursuit of continuous improvement.

·      Ability to interact in a positive way with individuals and groups.

·      Can work independently and responsibly while managing numerous projects simultaneously.

·      Dependable and reliable to meet deadlines; remains calm under pressure.

·      Lead by personal example; your word is your bond.

·      Is a humble leader who can positively influence others not under their control.

·      Willing to challenge the status quo in entrepreneurial ways; possess creative problem-solving skills.

·      Helps create a work environment that embraces and appreciates diversity.

·      Above all, is optimistic in nature in ways that makes those around them better.

How to Apply:

Submit your cover letter and resume as one document through our LinkedIn page here. 

Application Deadline: For priority consideration, apply by July 19, 2024; position will remain open until filled.

The United Way of the Plains is committed to providing Equal Opportunity in Employment, to all applicants and employees regardless of, race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, military status, veteran status, handicap, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

Core Competencies for all United Way Professionals

·      Mission-Focused: The United Way Professional’s top priority is to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities. This competency drives their performance and professional motivations.

·      Relationship-Oriented: The United Way Professional understands that people come before process and is astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal.

·      Collaborator: The United Way Professional understands the roles and contributions of all sectors of the community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement.

·      Results-Driven: The United Way Professional is dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good including creating, resourcing, scaling, and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact.

·      Brand Steward: The United Way Professional is a steward of the brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network.

More information about the United Way of the Plains can be found at www.unitedwayplains.org