Executive Director of the Women + Girls Research Alliance (HIRED)

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Overview:
The Women’s and Girls Research Alliance (W+GRA) is a division of Metropolitan Studies (MSEAP), which is a unit of Academic Affairs. The W+GRA mission is to increase equity for women and girls by inspiring and amplifying community change through research, insights and relationships. The vision is an equitable Charlotte region that embraces women’s and girls’ dreams and expands their opportunities. W+GRA was founded as a community-based organization in 2006 and integrated into the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2010. It is a catalyst for change – working to improve the lives of women and girls in the Charlotte region through research, education and community engagement.

W+GRA’s goal is to make a difference in our community by providing fair and unbiased data and analyses which leaders and activists can use to improve the lives of women and girls in the Greater Charlotte region. The leadership and strategic guidance for W+GRA are provided by a volunteer Advisory Council, made up of faculty and staff from the University and the Charlotte business and non-profit community.

The Executive Director is the lead administrator for W+GRA. In that role, she or he is responsible for managing graduate/undergraduate students, directing budgetary operations, fostering community-University collaborations and leading research project development and grants. The position works independently from the Associate Provost for Metropolitan Studies and from the Director of Engaged Scholarship, to whom she or he reports. Expertise in organizational development, research methods, project management and grant-writing are critical skills for this position.

Responsibilities:
• Identifying opportunities for new community partnerships and alliances, fostering and strengthening those partnerships and collaborations.
• Connecting community interests and University Faculty/programs focused on women and girls and building and nurturing a high-performing Advisory Council.
• Planning, driving and supporting the Alliance’s research activities.
• Collaborating with University Advance to raise funds and build donor relationships that support Alliance activities.
• Coordinating and convening a faculty research committee.
• Raising the visibility of and increasing academic community respect for, the Alliance’s work and mission.
• Overseeing the planning, financial, operating and reporting functions of the Alliance.
• Designing, organizing and producing the biennial Women’s Summit.

Education and experience:
Minimum
• Master’s degree in any relevant field.
• General understanding of and familiarity with, the academic research process.
• Fundraising experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, enabling the clear articulation of mission, vision and programs.
• Skilled at developing effective partnerships and collaborations among non-profits, community leaders, educations institutions and grassroots groups.
• Skilled at navigating complex social and donor environments.
• Strong strategic planning, assessment/analysis, research and organizational skills.
Preferred
• Doctoral or Terminal Degree in any relevant field.
• Experience working in a University Environment.
• Expertise and/or experience in policy areas related to women and girls.