Community Development Director

Reports to: Director of Programs
(Permanently), CEO/President (Interim)

Classification: Full Time Associates
(Exempt)

Supervisory Function:  None

Job Description:

The Community Development Director is responsible for working
with community members, stakeholders, and local businesses to
identify and implement economic and workforce development
opportunities. This includes, but is not limited to, promoting and
supporting local entrepreneurship, business development, and job
creation. The Director will also manage special projects programs
that promote economic development and foster partnerships between
local businesses and the community.

Responsibility: Program and
Grant Management

• Develop and implement economic/workforce development strategies
  and programs that promote job creation, business development, and
  entrepreneurship.
• Conduct research on economic/workforce development
  opportunities in the community.
• Facilitate alliance-building and collaboration among key public
  agencies, nonprofit service providers, community-based
  organizations, foundations, the private sector, local businesses,
  community organizations, and government to influence change and
  support economic development initiatives.
• Collaborate with other organizations and agencies to leverage
  resources and support economic development efforts.
• Monitor grants from proposal approval through the close of
  grant records to ensure compliance with grant terms.  Review
  contingency, progress, and final reports, and respond to grant
  recipient’s request for changes, with assistance from
  administrative and finance staff.  
• Provide regular reports to the Project Director on economic
  development activities and outcomes.
• Serve as a public representative and content expert for the
  Foundation in the community development field of interest.

 Program Leadership

• Facilitate identifying needs, available resources, and
  effective strategies to execute program plans.
• Ensure grant-making guidelines provide clear guidance to grant
  seekers.
• Conduct or commission research on issues or concerns of
  importance to the Foundation─ through written materials,
  interviews, community meetings, networks, or other useful
  vehicles.
• Initiate actions to stay current and learn about community
  issues, needs, and organizations within the area(s) of focus.

 Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree is required with at least ten years of
  experience working in preferable areas of community development,
  human capacity development, or economic development. 
• Experience as a Grantmaker preferred.
• Knowledge and/or experience in community development,
  organizing, civic engagement, community revitalization, human
  services, and public and nonprofit sectors.
• General familiarity with Arkansas, Louisiana, and
  Mississippi.  Knowledge and experience working with rural
  communities.
• Graduate degree preferred.
• Work as a multidisciplinary and interdepartmental team member
  to ensure effective and efficient operations of the
  Foundation.
• Seek appropriate opportunities to partner with grant recipients
  and other funders to increase Foundation and community
  visibility.

Competitive salary and benefits: 401(k) retirement savings and
planning, medical, dental, vision, life AD&D, vacation,
medical, and paid holidays. Benefits include cell phone and gym
reimbursement, education assistance, and professional
development.

Qualified applicants should submit a letter of interest
and resume to [email protected].
All materials should be addressed to the attention of Meshelle
Rawls, Director of Administration. Candidates invited to move
forward in the hiring process should be prepared to submit a
writing sample and references.