Director, Community Impact

United Way of the Bluegrass (UWBG) works to create the opportunity for all community members to have a better life. We focus on the building blocks of a good life — a quality education, financial stability for individuals and families, and good health. The work of UWBG focuses on strategic initiatives, public education, advocacy, outcomes and evaluation, development, and strengthening of partnerships/collaborations, convening, resource mobilization and investment, as well as backbone and engagement strategies and activities. We bring together the voices, the expertise, and the resources to define, articulate, and implement a common agenda for change for our region. That is what it means to "Live United" in Central Kentucky.

POSITION

The Director of Community Impact is essential to attaining UWBG’s strategic goals and mission. S/he will oversee various internal and external projects while managing CI staff and ensuring their success. This individual will manage and provide leadership and guidance related to programs, grants and grantmaking, agency relations, policy and advocacy, and direct supervision, advisement, and professional development to staff. 

The Director of Community Impact will provide consultative support to key UWBG leadership to ensure consistent and effective approaches to UWBG programs are conducted across the organization. S/he will develop, monitor, and, as needed, refine short- and long-term goals and objectives for organizational programming.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborate with the VP CI: Assist in developing the department's vision, goals, and strategies; make programmatic and operational recommendations for regional impact strategies.
• Manage Partnerships: Implement program priorities and build and maintain strategic alliances with public, private, and non-profit organizations.
• Coordinate Community Engagement: Develop strategies to mobilize citizen and community groups, funders, and leaders to achieve specific outcomes.
• Represent UWBG: Serve on task forces/committees and participate in community events to represent UWBG’s mission.
• Oversee Fund Distribution: Manage community investment processes and special grants.
• Lead Policy and Advocacy: Direct policy efforts, including committee staffing, meetings with legislators, and policy research.
• Initiate and Implement Projects: Develop, research, and implement initiatives supporting UWBG’s mission and goals.
• Manage Team: Lead and support a team of Community Impact professionals, providing guidance and professional development.
• Serve as Contact: Be the primary point of contact for community stakeholders regarding programming.
• Develop Policies and Procedures: To ensure operational success, author necessary policies and logistics for UWBG’s Waypoints.
• Support Financial Stability: Assist Community Impact Manager(s) in identifying and leveraging resources for financial stability programming.
• Ensure Compliance and Evaluation: Oversee program compliance, evaluations, and reporting.
• Align with Goals: Ensure programs align with UWBG’s strategic goals and senior management’s vision.
• Build Relationships: Connect with community stakeholders, including nonprofits, faith-based groups, and government entities.
• Involve Volunteers: Identify ways to engage volunteers in departmental programs.
• Understand Community Needs: Be aware of the needs of the communities and counties.
• Drive Accountability: Use performance metrics to drive results and hold staff accountable for meeting deadlines and goals.
• Lead by Example: Motivate staff by demonstrating a strong understanding of departmental and organizational strategy, leadership, and collaboration.
• Perform Additional Duties: Undertake other assigned tasks as needed.

Program Leadership and Management: The Director of Community Impact will take a hands-on approach to leading various initiatives. S/he will have a track record of effectively leading performance-based and outcome-based programs and staff. S/he will have developed and operationalized strategies that have taken a program or organization to the next growth stage.

Team Building and Development: The Director of Community Impact will manage and develop a strong team of staff, program/project managers, and nonprofit professionals.

Exceptional Communication and Influencing Skills: As a voice/advocate of UWBG, the Director of Community Impact will have strong written and verbal communication skills. S/he will be a persuasive, credible, and polished communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills. This individual must work collaboratively with internal and external partners and other organizations, providing exposure for program impact in various professional journals and other media outlets.

CORE UNITED WAY COMPETENCIES

LEADERSHIP – Visionary leader who can develop goals and strategies and productively leverage partnerships for community engagement and contributions. Entrepreneurial ship: A creative, critical thinker, self-motivated, high energy individual with an infectious ‘can-do’ attitude and an obvious sense of urgency; passionate about citizen mobilization and community change.

MISSION-FOCUSED - A top priority is to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities. This competency drives performance and professional motivation.

RELATIONSHIP ORIENTED - Understands that people come before process and is astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal.

COLLABORATOR - Understands the roles and contributions of all community sectors and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement.

RESULTS-DRIVEN - Dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good, creating, resourcing, scaling, and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact.

BRAND STEWARD - A steward of the brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network.

COMMUNITY IMPACT COMPETENCIES

STRATEGIC COMMUNITY COLLABORATION - The Director, Community Impact engages diverse stakeholders to accurately and effectively assess community needs and, with credibility, authenticity, and humility, strategically guides United Way to contribute to the community’s priorities. Influences and inspires community leaders (e.g., individuals, corporations, government, etc.) to partner with UWBG.

DEEP COMMUNITY EXPERTISE - The Director, Community Impact is an expert on community issues and challenges who thoroughly knows the data trends, research, and environment and community stakeholders. Proactively identifies and addresses complex issues by providing leadership around gathering, interpreting, and using relevant data to inform and drive strategy development.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION - The Director, Community Impact understands the community and the philanthropic interests of donors and investors. Identifies community strategies to connect with the interests of various investors and develops solutions and products as investment opportunities to connect donor aspirations with community needs.

ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC POLICY - The Director, Community Impact works with community leaders and elected officials to build on the United Way mission and advocates on education, impact, and health issues. Encourages partner organizations to engage in advocacy and to support issues important to the community.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree in social sciences, non-profit management, business, liberal arts, or a related field is preferred; equivalent experience will be considered. A master’s degree is a strong plus.
• Minimum of three-five (3-5) years of supervisory experience.
• Three (3) years’ experience with program management, specifically programs related to financial stability, education, and basic needs.
• Experience with Coalition/Partnership building.
• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and follow-through. 
• Experience with program design and evaluation preferred.
• Goal- and results-driven, and must have excellent relationship and communication skills, both oral and written. 
• Strong time management skills required.
• Ability to direct, lead, coach, and mentor team in achieving organizational goals.
• Ability to work with diverse groups.
• Strong computer skills, including full Microsoft Office Suite.
• A writing sample may be required. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee is regularly required to communicate, in oral and written formats, with others in person, over the phone, and via other devices. The employee must be able to transcribe, read extensively, prepare, and analyze data and figures, and operate a computer and other standard office machinery. The employee must have the ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull objects weighing up to 25lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, etc. The primary office location for this position is located within the administrative office at 651 Perimeter Drive, Lexington, KY. The Director of Community Impact will be required to travel as needed across our ten-county area, including, but not limited to, visits to WayPoint Centers, community partners, and the administrative office.

EXPECTED WORK HOURS

Monday through Friday, 8:30AM-5:00PM. Must be willing to work a non-standard work schedule, including nights, weekends, and other unusual hours. 

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING REQUIREMENTS

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by UWBG. These screenings may include a national background check, and Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) review.

BENEFITS

Our robust benefits package includes 100% employer-paid premiums on employee-only health, dental, and vision plans; 3%-6% employer contributions to 401(k), employer-paid life/ADD and STD insurance; generous parental leave policy, PTO, and more.