Overview :

This leadership position will support the continued growth and strategic direction of The Industrial Commons Ecosystem by overseeing our Community Engagement Field.

The role will provide oversight and managerial support to the programs in the Community Engagement Field, driving mission-aligned growth and deep community impact.   About The Industrial Commons (TIC):

The Industrial Common s is a nonprofit in Morganton, NC creating an ecosystem focused on rooting local wealth and ownership.

TIC is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.   Primary Function:

Provide strategic planning, development, and oversight to the Community Engagement Field at The Industrial Commons, managing programs, staff and budgets, while collaborating with TIC leadership on communications, fundraising, and program evaluation.    Essential Functions:  Strategic Planning Develop and execute a comprehensive community engagement strategy aligned with TIC Ecosystem’s mission and goals.  Identify and champion key opportunities for community involvement and partnership including current programming and potential opportunities for growth.  Cultivate and maintain strong strategic partnerships and relationships with community leaders, local organizations, government agencies, and residents.

Lead TIC’s Community Engagement Advisory Council, ensuring community voice guides the development and direction of all programming. Field Development and Management  Collaborate with stakeholders and staff to evaluate and measure the impact of community engagement activities, gathering data, reporting data for TIC metrics and evaluation processes and adjusting programming to the needs of our base. Work with the Communications team to create content that highlights Community Engagement activities, connecting with our base while also promoting TIC’s mission and programs to external stakeholders, funders and investors.  Oversee all Community Engagement Field staff, which includes but is not limited to:

2-3 direct reports, 10-15 contractors and 15-20 volunteers.  Collaborate with the TIC Development Director and Co-Executive Directors on fundraising efforts including proposal ideation, development, grant writing, funder presentations, and grant reports.  Collaborate with the TIC Senior Director of Finance to manage the annual budget for all programming of the Community Engagement Field.

This includes budget creation, projection of income and expenses, tracking expenditures, making decisions about budget changes and reporting on financials. Collaborate with other Field and Program Directors within the TIC Ecosystem for cross-program and enterprise collaboration, ensuring creative placement is strategically infused in our economic and Community Engagement activities. Participate in events, conferences and workshops at the regional and national level to represent TIC and the Community Engagement Field and to learn about best practices for creative placemaking and rural economic development. TOSS:

Provide managerial support to the TOSS Director, guiding budget decisions, staffing, and consistency within programming.  Collaborate with TOSS Director and Senior Leadership to guide and oversee all TOSS programming (TOSSworks, TOSSafter, Summer Camp, Public Art, Internships, Artists in Residence), staff, and volunteers, ensuring that programming and events maintain a mission-aligned, community based outlook and focus.  Ensure continued and strengthened partnerships with key stakeholders including Burke County Public Schools, the Main Street Office, the North Carolina Museum of Art, NC State College of Design, the NC Arts Council, and Burke Arts Council.

Common Ground:

Guide and oversee all Common Ground programming and Staff, including but not limited to: Values and Culture Director, Community Engagement Contractors, Common Ground events and communications, and Hometown Walkabout programming.  Provide managerial support to the Values and Culture Director, collaborating with the team to guide budget decisions, staffing, and consistency within programming.  Approve key external messaging, reports, and publications for alignment with Ecosystem vision.   Core Competencies, Skills and Experience: Executive-Level Staff Management and Development: At least 5 years of effective staff management and development, including strong interpersonal intelligence and a commitment to creating a team environment that fosters high morale, accountability, collaboration, and continuous professional development.

Ecosystem Awareness and Field Integration:

Demonstrated track record of supporting and advancing community-centered or service-oriented programming; experience building bridges across fields to design integrated approaches that address shared community, industry, and economic needs.  Program and Project Leadership: Has led the design, development, and implementation of high-quality programs with clear objectives and outcomes; track record of defining project scopes, allocating resources, setting timelines, and managing deliverables in partnership with internal teams and external stakeholders.  Strategic Analysis, Planning and Vision Alignment: Experience guiding long-term strategic direction for programs in alignment with organizational vision;  uses data to measure program impact, identify emerging needs, and recommend evidence-based improvements; and can navigate complex issues with nuance and formulate creative, systems-level solutions.

Grant and Budget Oversight:

Experienced fundraiser with a track record of managing grant-funded programs with fiscal responsibility and compliance; ensuring accurate budgeting, tracking, and narrative and data reporting in collaboration with finance and program staff.  Stakeholder Relationship Building and Influence: Experience building and maintaining strategic partnerships with key stakeholders including community organizations, educational institutions, and employers.  Cultural Awareness and Responsiveness: Experience engaging  respectfully and responsively with partners and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds; has culturally responsive teaching practices and an awareness of how race, class, and structural inequities shape lived experience.

Actively seeks to deepen understanding of the communities served and integrates cultural knowledge into program design, facilitation, and evaluation. Demonstrates cultural humility, curiosity, and adaptability in all aspects of instruction and engagement.   Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Ability to occasionally lift 15 lbs-50 lbs.

Ability to remain in a stationary position with computer work when necessary.  Must be able to move about various settings, both inside office environments and outside within the community. Position requires leadership of and participation in 2-3 mile walking tours. Ability to occasionally travel locally and long distances, including overnight stays.  Must be able to reach/access items on high shelves.    Salary:

The salary range for this position i s $65,000 to $75,000 plus benefits.  To Apply: The priority application deadline is Friday, September 12, 2025.

To apply, please upload your resume and respond to the application questions.

This search is supported by NRG Consulting Group . Please reach out to megan@nrgconsultinggroup.org and jobs@nrgconsultinggroup.org with any questions.   Powered by JazzHR