Executive Director - WakeUP Wake County

Are you passionate about well-planned development in Wake County, NC that promotes vibrant, mixed-use, walkable communities?

Are you an advocate for diverse housing choices, transportation options, access to clean and adequate drinking water and for local solutions to solve the global climate crisis?

Are you the next Executive Director of WakeUP Wake County?

WakeUP Wake County promotes good growth planning and sustainable, healthy communities through education, advocacy, and civic engagement, climate change and advancing a higher quality of life for all. WakeUP Wake County is working to create an economically and environmentally sustainable region for future generations. They are now seeking their next Executive Director to join their compassionate and dedicated team to help achieve and grow their strategic vision.

This experienced nonprofit Executive Director will work with the board and staff to implement WakeUP Wake County's three-year strategic plan created earlier this year. In addition to serving as the face of the organization, attending public meetings and fundraising, the Executive Director will plan, organize, and direct the organization’s governance, advocacy, fiscal management, communications, and operations.

Responsibilities Include:

• Regular attendance at community meetings, events, and facilities. Candidates should expect a moderate number of nights and weekend events and meetings.
• Work closely with the Board of Directors to energize and engage their involvement in policy decisions, fundraising, and visibility of the organization.
• Ensure sound fiscal management practices through budget tracking, billing, and projecting cash flow.
• Educate and be a strong advocate with county, municipal, state, federal elected officials, and staff on growth policies.
• Serve as a catalyst for grassroots advocacy to engage citizens in timely policy actions and help to maintain and grow citizen actions within and outside of the organization.
• Communicate with local media on timely relevant planning and development issues.
• Guide internal research and synthesis activities that lead to recommended policy frameworks and strategies that would further the organization’s vision and goals.
• In partnership with the Director of Development, lead fundraising efforts including grant writing, individual, planned gifts, and other revenue sources.
• Motivate, evaluate, and hire staff.
• Maintain effective working relationships with volunteers and other local partner organizations.

WakeUP Wake County is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization that leads public engagement on housing, transportation, climate change, and other land use issues in Wake County. WakeUP began as a grassroots collective in 2006, born out of concern for the challenges of rapid growth and development. Since then, WakeUP has become the leading voice representing citizens in land use and development issues that influence and are influenced by climate, transportation, clean water, and housing, taking the long-term view on regional needs. WakeUP is uniquely positioned to enact change in one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States.

Want to know more? Visit WakeUP Wake County – Speaking UP for a better tomorrow.

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college, with a major in environmental science, natural sciences, political science, humanities, urban planning, or public policy.
• Three years experience leading or in a senior level role with a nonprofit organization, political campaigns, community organizing, nonprofit management, environmental policy, or economic development.
• Dynamic, visionary, high-level strategic thinking, and planning. Ability to envision and convey the organization’s strategic future to the staff, board, volunteers, and donors.
• Familiarity with transportation planning, affordable housing policy, community relations, climate change policy, land use policies, and government relations.
• Track record of fundraising and donor relations.
• Experience collaborating with grassroots organizations, community members, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Strong social media, writing skills and ability to speak confidently in public forums.
• High level of initiative, effort, and commitment toward completing assignments efficiently.
• Organized and detail-oriented, ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines and work independently and as part of a team.

To apply, click on the link to the WakeUP Wake County Executive Director position profile at ArmstrongMcGuire.com/jobs. You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, salary requirements, and professional references. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact [email protected]. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites.

Salary is commensurate with the requirements of the position and is in the $70,000 to $80,000 range and includes a stipend for medical benefits. Benefits include accrued vacation and sick time of 8 paid holidays plus the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day. In addition, the Executive Director receives a cell phone stipend, mileage reimbursement and travel expenses.

WakeUP Wake County is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity in the workplace. Our organization considers applicants equally of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, age, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or prior record of arrest or conviction. We seek a workplace that reflects and respects the full range of the nation and state’s diversity.

Review of candidates will continue until the position is filled.