Community Development Manager

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise is seeking applicants for a Community Development Manager. The Community Development Manager leads community development efforts for the University of Virginia's College at Wise Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED), working alongside communities, local leaders, and partners to strengthen leadership and capacity across Southwest Virginia. In this role, the Manager oversees a portfolio of funding, service, and leadership programs, currently including LEAD SWVA, the Cumberland Forest Community Fund, and Opportunity Appalachia, and is responsible for their administration, as well as grant development, management, and reporting. The Manager also serves as a technical assistance provider and trusted connector, linking communities with UVA Wise programs and services and with the broader network of regional, state, and national partners that can help advance their priorities.

Job Description

- With guidance and oversight of the Associate Vice Chancellor for OCED, lead and manage OCED's community development portfolio of programs.

- Serve as a technical assistance provider to communities across Southwest Virginia, working alongside community leaders and groups to strengthen local capacity and advance community-driven projects.

- Continually assess community needs in collaboration with partners, making sure communities are connected to UVA Wise programs and services and identifying other opportunities and resources that can support their work.

- Serve as a liaison to communities and, where needed, work cooperatively to integrate the College's programs, including entrepreneurship, business development, innovation, economic development, and continuing education, to benefit those communities. This includes supporting efforts to strengthen local support for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and work with partner organizations where appropriate.

- Provide project management support for projects and initiatives OCED leads or supports in partnership with communities.

- Build and maintain strong relationships with community development partners at the local, regional, state, and national levels.

- Serve as a consistent, primary representative of UVA Wise with organizations, partners, meetings, and events, especially those that support business and community development, such as chambers of commerce and regional community development organizations.

- Depending on projects and needs, which may change from time to time, supervise or help direct staff, student interns, and fellows.

Program and Portfolio Management

- Own, manage, and take responsibility for OCED's signature community development programs on behalf of UVA Wise. Current examples include LEAD SWVA, the Cumberland Forest Community Fund, and Opportunity Appalachia.

- Manage an ever-changing portfolio of projects and initiatives that shifts with the needs of communities, the partners involved, and available opportunities.

- Support and help coordinate OCED's community leadership programming, including leadership development and continuing education opportunities focused on building community leadership capacity.

- Set goals for programs, track metrics, and evaluate overall performance and effectiveness.

Grants, Finance, and Administration

- Lead grant proposals and funding development efforts that support the College's community development work.

- Manage awarded grants and program funds, including project management, monitoring, and grants reporting.

- Carry out financial and grants accounting duties, including budgeting, reconciliations, account certification, and reporting.

- Oversee program administrative duties, including standard operating procedures, internal and external performance and metrics reporting, and other related responsibilities.

Staff, Faculty, and Student Engagement

- Connect UVA Wise/Charlottesville staff, faculty, and students as appropriate with the region through projects, activities, events, leadership programs, and community engagement, encouraging students to stay and contribute as citizens, employees, and active community members.

Communications and Events

- Support OCED's communications, particularly around community and economic development programming. This includes developing content for social media channels and for broader communications through UVA Wise's communications team, as appropriate.

- Draft stories and media releases for review by office leadership and the communications team.

- Work effectively with communications representatives of partner organizations.

- Support the planning and delivery of the Southwest Virginia Economic Forum and other events, both community development focused and office or division focused.

- Assist with other duties as assigned, including those identified through work with communities in the UVA Wise region.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

- Five years of experience applicable to this position, preferably in higher education and the community and economic development space.

- Experience working with communities and partners, managing administrative and reporting duties, and supporting fundraising and grant development.

- An associate or higher level degree is preferred.

- Ability to build and maintain trusted partnerships with internal and external partners through integrity, responsiveness, discretion, and dependable follow-through.

- Strong time management skills, with the ability to balance multiple projects and priorities.

- Ability to handle multiple assignments, organize work, and establish priorities with minimal supervision.

- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

- Ability to facilitate and lead meetings, including public speaking and presentations at events of various sizes.

- Accurate and precise attention to detail.

- Experience with university and government accounting, grants reporting, and related administrative responsibilities (preferred).

- Ability to travel regionally, with occasional travel farther out.

- Flexibility to work some nights and weekends, as event attendance requires.

Work Location

- The position will likely be based at a UVA Wise location, such as the main campus in Wise, the Oxbow Center in St. Paul, or the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon.

- This is primarily an in-person position. Telework requests may be considered on an occasional, as-needed basis.

Additional Requirements

Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.

Required Documents

Cover Letter, CV/Resume, and References

Anticipated Salary: $53,803 - $57,358

Contact

Questions regarding this position should be directed to Hannah Addington, Human Resources Recruiting Specialist @ [email protected]

UVA Wise is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence, affordable access, and unwavering support of a collaborative and diverse community.  Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Employee fulfills duties as a “responsible employee” under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.  A Responsible employee includes any employee:  who has the authority to take action to redress sexual violence; who has been given the duty of reporting incidents of sexual violence or any other misconduct by students to the Title IX Coordinator or other appropriate school designee; or whom a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty.

UVA Wise is committed to helping the campus community provide for their own safety and security.  The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report containing information on campus security and personal safety, including alerts, fire safety, crime prevention tips, and crime statistics is available at www.uvawise.edu/ASR .  A copy is available upon request by calling 276-328-0190 or 276-376-3451.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .