Athens Area Community Foundation, Inc. Community Leadership Manager Athens, GA · Full time

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Who We Are: We are a small, entrepreneurial team that believes philanthropy should feel personal, responsive, and joyful. Every member of our staff contributes ideas, solves problems, and helps shape the future of our organization.

Our Mission: The Athens Area Community Foundation grows giving by inspiring generous communities and creating lasting impact.

Our Vision: We envision a community where philanthropy fuels progress, supporting emergency response, civic engagement, vibrant economy, nimble workforce, effective education, workforce housing, accessible healthcare, efficient transportation, supportive services for the vulnerable, strong cultural amenities, and environmental sustainability.

Our Why: We grow giving for the community we love.

History: We are rooted in the trusted leadership and focus of community members committed to mobilizing resources for the greater good. Established in 2008, we have over a decade of remarkable  development and growth. With more than $50 million in assets under our umbrella, we are focused on expanding our ability to serve as a public grantmaking foundation partnering with donors, nonprofits, and institutions to grow, preserve, and share philanthropic assets.

Organizational Values: When we GIVE, we spark joy, kindness, ease and connection:

·      Grow in Knowledge

·      Integrity in all Things

·      Value Responsiveness

·      Engage in Community

Organizational Anchors: Across all aspects of our organization, we commit to being a:

·      Trusted guide for local philanthropy

·      Trusted partner for local organizations

·      Trusted community leader

Why This Role Matters

This is an exciting time to join the Athens Area Community Foundation. As a fast growing community foundation, we are investing in new ideas, expanding our regional leadership, and helping shape the future of philanthropy across Northeast Georgia. Every member of our team has the opportunity to build, create, and lead work that leaves a lasting impact on our communities.

Position Summary:

The Community Leadership Manager is responsible for leading the implementation and growth of the Foundation's community leadership initiatives across Northeast Georgia. This position is responsible for strengthening relationships throughout the Foundation's 12-county service area, with a particular focus on engaging and supporting rural communities, building strategic partnerships, and advancing collaborative solutions to local challenges.

The Community Leadership Manager oversees the Foundation's signature community leadership programs, leads the Resilient Northeast Georgia Coalition, manages Community Leadership fellows, and serves as a visible ambassador for the Foundation throughout the region. Through relationship-building, facilitation, project management, and data-informed decision making, this position helps ensure that the Foundation's community leadership work creates measurable impact and strengthens the capacity of local communities to thrive.

Position Hours:

• Full-time; 8:30AM-4:30PM
• Occasional opportunities to work evening and/or weekends
• This role is highly relationship based and requires frequent in-person travel engagement throughout Northeast Georgia. Successful candidates enjoy being in communities, attending meetings, facilitating conversations, and building trust across diverse settings.

Supervision: This position reports to the VP, Strategy & Operations. This position supervises the Resilient Northeast Georgia Fellow.  

Success in this role: Success in this role means:

• Community Leadership programs create measurable value across Northeast Georgia.
• Relationships deepen across all 12 counties, particularly in rural communities.
• The Community Foundation becomes increasingly recognized as a trusted community leader, partner, and guide for philanthropy.

Position Overview:

General:

• This role is ideal for someone energized by meeting new people, facilitating conversations, and helping communities move ideas into action.
• Ensure high quality customer service.
• Maintain a working relationship with the Athens Area Community Foundation Board of Directors.
• Provide professional support for the President | CEO in working with Board of Directors, Committees, donors, community groups, and organizations.

Operations:

• Adhere to all policies and procedures for the Athens Area Community Foundation.
• Adhere to protocol for use of Foundant Software.

Community Leadership Program Delivery:

• Provide professional support to the Vice President, Strategy & Operations in designing annual community leadership program activities in line with our Strategic Plan.
• Own the regional execution and measurable impact of Community Leadership programs to ensure mission alignment, timely delivery, and community outcomes. Programs include:
• Resilient Northeast Georgia,
• Nonprofit Training Series,
• Ready, Set, Go Board Leadership Series,
• Nonprofit of the Year Award,
• Youth Philanthropy Programs,
• and others as assigned.
• Own the documentation, tracking, and continuous improvement of Community Leadership processes and KPIs to ensure consistency, accountability, and measurable performance.

Rural Community Engagement & County Relationship Development

• Own outreach, relationship-building, and trust development across all 12 counties to ensure equitable presence, local partnership growth, and mission alignment outside Athens-Clarke County, including but not limited to:
• Family Connection Collaborative monthly meeting engagement,
• Chamber of Commerce engagement,
• Community tabling events and resource fairs,
• Public presentations, and
• One-on-one community development meetings with key stakeholders.

Strategic Partnerships & Community Presence

• Own the organization's visibility and engagement at key forums, chambers, and external events to strengthen mission awareness and deepen regional partnerships.
• Resilient Northeast Georgia is a regional coalition focused on strengthening community resilience through collaboration, capacity building, and shared solutions across sectors. The Community Leadership Program Manager will:
• Provide professional support to the Vice President, Strategy & Operations in designing annual programming in line with the Coalition Aims and MOU with Resilient Georgia, the statewide coalition backbone organization.
• Lead, manage, and hold accountable the Resilient Northeast Georgia Fellow to ensure alignment with Coalition priorities, performance standards, and organizational goals.

Other:

• As a small and innovative organization, every member of our team contributes wherever needed to advance our mission.

Anyone interested in this position should/be:

• Curious about community development, philanthropy, and communications
• Naturally take ownership instead of waiting to be asked.
• Excited about the details and improving systems.
• Willing and quickly able to learn new programs, platforms, and skills as needed
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Relentless in the pursuit of excellence in customer service
• Able to pass a background check

Ideal Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
• Openness and willingness to consistently learn
• Demonstrated success building relationships across diverse stakeholders and communities.
• Experience facilitating groups, meetings, and collaborative initiatives.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel regularly throughout the Foundation's 12-county service area, including rural communities.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

The Details:

 Professional Development: We maintain an ongoing and open commitment to professional development and leadership. Staff have opportunities through:

• Our own programs,
• University of Georgia,
• Georgia Center for Nonprofits,
• Philanthropy Southeast,
• Council on Foundations,
• And so much more

Compensation and Benefits:

• Competitive compensation
• Simple IRA with up to 3% match after 1 year of employment
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• 12 paid holidays
• Generous vacation, sick leave, and personal day benefits