Community Engagement Manager, Western Region

Position Overview

The Community Engagement Manager, Western Region is an experienced community organizer who will help build the power of local child advocates across the state to advance policy change for kids and families. The Community Engagement Manager, Western Region will be primarily responsible for mobilizing advocates around a range of key child and family policy issues championed by NC Child and other partners.  

As a key member of NC Child’s growing community engagement team, the Community Engagement Manager, Western Region works to build and sustain relationships with Child Advocacy Network (CAN) members in their specific region. They will have a particular emphasis on growing network leadership with advocates in rural and historically underserved areas, as well as with business and other community leaders across the state of North Carolina. At the same time, the Community Engagement Manager, Western Region will be an expert listener, networker, and trainer helping to develop the advocacy skills of a diverse set of stakeholders.

About the Child Advocacy Network (CAN)

As advocates, we are stronger when we work together. The NC Child Advocacy Network (CAN), launched and supported by NC Child, brings together child advocates from across North Carolina. Our primary goal is building power that can impact public policies to benefit children and families.

Those who are closest to the challenges often know the best solutions. Together with the thousands of parents, direct service organizations, health care professionals, youth leaders, and faith groups who make up the Child Advocacy Network, we speak with a unified voice for North Carolina children.

About NC Child
NC Child builds a strong North Carolina by advocating for policies that improve the lives of all North Carolina children. NC Child is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Raleigh, NC. NC Child is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply for this position.

Position Title: Community Engagement Manager, Western Region

Position Type: Full-Time

Compensation: NC Child offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including health and dental insurance, paid sick days, vacation, paid family leave, and a commitment to professional development. Learn more about our benefits here. The hiring range for this position is $60,000-$70,000/year, depending on training and experience.

Reports to: Director of Community Engagement 

Responsibilities

1) Grow & Strengthen the Child Advocacy Network (CAN)

· Recruit new CAN partner organizations and individual advocates through community outreach, one-on-one meetings, and participation in issue campaigns;

· Deepen relationships with existing CAN partner organizations through regular outreach, both one-on-one and through groups, and by collaborating on shared priorities;

· Build local teams of advocates in key areas across North Carolina where increased engagement will have a positive impact on key decision-makers;

· Through formal and informal evaluation, constantly gather input and listen to CAN partners, particularly those led by people of color, to learn how NC Child can become a greater resource and better partner;

· Support CAN members to plan and carry out specific campaign actions, including public events, meetings with elected officials, media advocacy, and more;

· Collaborate with communications staff to use social media, video, and cloud-based communications tools to better reach CAN members where they are. Support CAN member organizations to better use digital organizing tools such as social media and cloud-based communications tools in their own work; and

· Use NC Child’s internal database (EveryAction) to track engagement with CAN partner organizations. This will require some amount of data entry, and creating regular reports. All necessary training will be provided.

2) Build Advocacy Skills & Leadership Among Partner Organizations

· Work with NC Child staff and partner organizations to identify training needs;

· Meet training needs by identifying or developing & delivering trainings and leadership development opportunities for CAN members on core advocacy skills;

· Represent NC Child through public speaking engagements on advocacy and issue-related topics for CAN partners, state agencies, and local groups; and

· Support community engagement team members in planning and carrying out annual CAN network gatherings and trainings.  

3) Advance NC Child’s Policy Agenda through Grassroots Advocacy

· Working with NC Child’s policy staff, identify advocates and support them to connect with their elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels;

·  Working with NC Child’s communications staff and conduct outreach and follow up with impacted families in order to share first-person stories and perspectives on the impact of public policy on children and families; and

·  Use NC Child’s internal databases (EveryAction and AirTable) to track grassroots advocacy – online and offline. This will require some amount of data entry, and creating regular reports. All necessary training will be provided.

4) Other Duties

· NC Child manages several long-term projects to engage impacted families in public policy development; the Community Engagement Manager, Western Region will be tapped from time to time to support these projects through outreach, engagement, and follow up with impacted families and local partner organizations.

·  Collaborate with the Director of Community Engagement and other staff in regular evaluation and strategic development of NC Child’s community engagement efforts;

·  Participate in NC Child staff and team meetings and other activities to support the overall work of the agency; and

·  Support grant reporting, grant writing, and other fundraising efforts as needed. This will include tracking data, providing regular written and verbal reports, and participating in meetings with funders as needed.  

Qualifications

Candidates should demonstrate the following required skills and/or traits:

· Outstanding interpersonal relationship-building skills;

· Experience working with advocates in North Carolina to effect policy change at the state level;

· A strong understanding of effective issue-based campaigns, and the ability to motivate others to action. If you have formal training in community organizing strategy and tactics, please note that in your application;

· Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage several different projects simultaneously;

· Effective public speaking skills;

· Ability to solve problems creatively;

· Ability to work both independently, and in collaboration with diverse partners;

· A strong commitment to NC Child’s mission and core values;

· Collaborative team player who appreciates and contributes to a diverse work environment;

· Ability to work flexible hours, including some Saturdays and evenings;

· Ability to pivot quickly and adjust to an ever-changing political and non-profit environment. This means being able to multi-task, prioritize and re-prioritize as needed to get the job done.

Bonus Skills & Experience
The followings skills and/or experience are NOT required. However, please let us know if you would bring any of these assets to the organization:

· Experience working with the media;

· Experience working with families with diverse backgrounds and experiences;

· Experience working with EveryAction or other CRMs & digital organizing tools; and

· Bilingual in Spanish/English

Note: This job description is intended to convey essential information about the scope and requirements of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, duties, or responsibilities associated with the role. 

NC Child is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply. 

Position Requirements

The Community Engagement Manager, Western Region is a remote position (40 hours/week). The Community Engagement Manager, Western Region must reside in one of the following counties: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, or Yancey counties. The Community Engagement Manager, Western Region will be reimbursed for all mileage traveled to project sites at the standard IRS rate. NC Child requires staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19.