Community Development Director: Harris YMCA
Overview:
Under the direction of the Executive Director and consistent with the Christian Mission of the YMCA and in strategic partnership with Forest Hill Church through the leadership and oversight of the Outreach Director, the Community Development Director provides leadership to local community development initiatives and programs.
Responsibilities:
• Research, identify, develop and execute community development strategies consistent with Forest Hill and YMCA operational goals to foster growth and local leadership development in underserved communities.
• Expand impact in local underserved populations, to include Hispanic families and individuals, through leading the need assessment, decision making, design, development, implementation, execution and evaluation of Community Development programming and events.
• Resource development: develop networks of community resources, ensuring effective communication between resource providers, neighborhood associations, and the community and programs participants.
• Responsible for producing and managing quality program experiences within English as a Second Language (ESL), Parents as Teachers and other programs as assigned through the day-to-day management of assigned program areas, associated staff and volunteer base.
• Lead YMCA staff in promotion and communication of community development & outreach programs at the YMCA and in the community.
• Develop departmental budgets including revenue generation and expenditure management.
• Provide leadership to the overall community development plan within branch operations.
• Develop, maintain & promote community relationships with local businesses, community leaders, social service agencies, churches and schools, private and public organizations that enhance/increase organizational capacity (to include schools, businesses, places of worship, hospital system).
• Increase capacity of potential collaborations and current partners and reallocate resources aimed at partnering with others, working with the necessary YMCA staff to achieve objectives.
• Partner with Association Community Impact team to ensure branch initiatives and efforts are representative of that of the Association.
• Partner with Marketing Department in the development of all communication about community development efforts.
• Lead and manage Community Development Committee work through ongoing collaboration and communication with Committee Members, active project management and ultimate responsibility for the execution of committee work.
• Support the work of the Annual Community Support Campaign.
• Recruit, train, recognize, develop and retain volunteers to serve in community development efforts.
• Coordinate community development branch efforts with YMCA Association Community Development department.
Competencies:
• Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fund-raising.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and
perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.
• Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to
another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience.
Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.
• Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an
openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.
Qualifications:
Required
• Four year college degree OR minimum five years of related work experience.
• Minimum three years’ experience in non-profit, community development, or similar field, including supervisory experience in managing-multi phase projects and volunteer workforce.
• Preferred post graduate degree or work in social work, sociology, social justice or related field.
• Bilingual, with fluency in Spanish and English.
• Ability to influence and build strong/sustaining community partnership strategies, execute on the primary goals/objectives and connect them to a matrix organizational structure (Harris YMCA & Forest Hill Church).
• Ability to relate to members, volunteers, and staff.
• Ability to facilitate dialogue among leaders with diverse backgrounds and thinking.
• Ability to foster trust and build rapport quickly with multiple stakeholders in a diverse multicultural, economically challenged community.
• Ability to relate to and partner with multicultural groups with a high degree of cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Familiarity with community based research and ability to organize assets and partnerships.
• Strong organization, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated skills in working with grass root leaders to develop programs and services that effectively address community needs.
• Foundational understanding and implementation of Christian community development philosophy and principles.
• Good listening skills with the ability to listen to and understand a broad and diverse range of perspectives and discern emerging themes and patterns.
• Strong fiscal aptitude and analytical skills with experience in managing departmental budget.
• Proven ability to strive within the ambiguity of a growing department.
• Ability to manage confidential materials.
• Computer skills with previous experience in the business use of Excel, Word, and Power Point.
• CPR/AED, Blood Bourne and 1st aid certifications, or ability to obtain certifications within required time period after employment.
Preferred
• Multicultural competencies gained through lived experiences.
• Familiarity with South Boulevard area (Charlotte, NC).
Physical requirements:
• Ability to work a 40-hour week with irregular work hours, including occasional nights and weekends.
• Ability to walk, stand, and sit (including on the floor) for long periods of time.
• Able to lift and carry supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to stand or sit while maintaining alertness for several hours at a time.
• Position may require bending, leaning, kneeling, and walking.
• Ability to speak concisely and effectively communicate.
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency.
• Ability to view/enter data for long periods of time.
• Ability to work irregular work hours, including evenings and weekends on occasion.
• Fluent in English, written and verbal communication
