Community Engagement Director

Downtown - Birmingham, AL 35203

• Position Type: Full Time
• Education Level: None
• Category: Executive

YWCA Central Alabama is a social justice organization dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YWCA Central Alabama’s vision is to create a more caring community. We work every day to make a positive change in the lives of individuals and the community.

TITLE:	Community Engagement Diretor
REPORTS TO:	Senior Director of Fund Development & External Relations
CLASSIFICATION:	EXEMPT/MANAGEMENT

Position Overview

This position provides strategic leadership for community-centered initiatives, oversees programs and activities housed within the YWCA Family Resource Center, and leads the planning, development, and implementation of the organization's AmeriCorps Planning Grant. The Director will cultivate partnerships with community stakeholders, volunteers, educational institutions, corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to expand the YWCA's reach and impact throughout Central Alabama.

Working collaboratively with development, marketing, program, and executive leadership staff, the Community Engagement Director will develop opportunities that connect individuals, organizations, and community resources to the YWCA's mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

Community Engagement & Outreach

• Develop and execute a comprehensive community engagement strategy that increases awareness, participation, and support for YWCA Central Alabama's mission and services.
• Serve as a primary ambassador of the organization within the community.
• Cultivate and maintain partnerships with public, private, nonprofit, faith-based, and educational organizations.
• Represent the YWCA at community meetings, networking events, coalitions, conferences, and stakeholder gatherings.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration that strengthen community impact and organizational visibility.
• Develop initiatives that increase community awareness, stakeholder engagement, advocacy participation, and organizational support.
• Collaborate with the Fund Development, DVS, and CDC team to identify corporate, sponsorship, partnership, and community engagement opportunities.
• Support donor engagement activities by connecting funders and community stakeholders to YWCA programs and impact.
• Assist in cultivating strategic relationships that support organizational sustainability and growth.
• Establish and strengthen relationships with community leaders, civic organizations, schools, colleges, businesses, government agencies, and other key stakeholders whose goals align with the YWCA mission.
• Identify and cultivate prospective partners, advocates, sponsors, and community champions who can help advance organizational priorities and expand mission impact.

Family Resource Center Management

• Provide leadership and oversight for programs, partnerships, and activities operating within the YWCA Family Resource Center.
• Coordinate with internal departments and external partners to ensure programs align with identified community needs and organizational priorities.
• Establish performance measures and evaluation methods to assess program effectiveness.
• Monitor program outcomes, participation levels, and community impact metrics.
• Maintain relationships with community service providers offering resources and programming through the Family Resource Center.
• Ensure programs operate effectively, efficiently, and in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Identify opportunities to expand services and enhance community access to resources.

AmeriCorp Program Leadership

• Lead all activities associated with the YWCA's one-year AmeriCorps Planning Grant.
• Facilitate the planning, assessment, and development processes necessary to establish a sustainable AmeriCorps program model aligned with organizational and community needs.
• Conduct community needs assessments, stakeholder engagement activities, environmental scans, and asset mapping to identify service gaps, priorities, and opportunities for national service impact.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with prospective AmeriCorps host sites, community organizations, educational institutions, and public-sector partners.
• Convene and facilitate advisory committees, planning teams, and stakeholder workgroups to inform program design and implementation strategies.
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Development & External Relations, develop program goals, member service activities, performance measures, evaluation frameworks, and sustainability strategies for future AmeriCorps operations.
• Coordinate the creation of policies, procedures, position descriptions, and operational structures required for a successful AmeriCorps program.
• Ensure compliance with all planning grant requirements, reporting deadlines, deliverables, and documentation standards.
• Work closely with organizational leadership and grant administrator to prepare a competitive AmeriCorps operational grant application for submission at the conclusion of the planning grant period.
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Development & External Relations, develop recommendations for staffing, program management, community partnerships, member supervision, and resource allocation to support long-term program success.
• Position YWCA Central Alabama to successfully transition from the planning phase to implementation and operation of an ongoing AmeriCorps program.

Upon successful award of an AmeriCorps operational grant, the Community Engagement Director will assume responsibility for oversight and administration of the AmeriCorps program, including:

• Recruitment, onboarding, training, and support of AmeriCorps members.
• Management of community partnerships and service sites.
• Program implementation, compliance, performance measurement, and reporting.
• Monitoring member service activities and achievement of program outcomes.
• Ensuring adherence to all AmeriCorps, state, federal, and organizational requirements.
• Leveraging AmeriCorps resources to expand community impact, volunteer engagement, and Family Resource Center programming.

Strategic Community & Stakeholder Development

• Develop and implement strategies that strengthen community relationships and expand stakeholder engagement across Central Alabama.
• Identify opportunities to connect individuals, businesses, educational institutions, civic organizations, and community groups with YWCA programs, initiatives, and mission-driven activities.
• Build and maintain relationships that increase community awareness, advocacy participation, partnership development, and organizational visibility within the Woodlawn area.
• Collaborate with Development & External Relations staff to identify prospective donors, sponsors, partners, and community supporters.
• Support the development of pipelines that connect community engagement efforts with fundraising, sponsorship, volunteer, and advocacy opportunities.
• Participate in community coalitions, advisory groups, and collaborative initiatives that advance organizational goals and community impact.
• Serve as a liaison between YWCA Central Alabama and community stakeholders in Woodlawn to foster meaningful collaboration and engagement.

Data Collection, Evaluation & Reporting

• Track key performance indicators related to community engagement, partnerships, Family Resource Center activities, and AmeriCorps planning objectives.
• Collect, analyze, and report data to demonstrate program effectiveness and community impact.
• Prepare reports for leadership, grantors, funders, and community stakeholders.
• Utilize data to inform decision-making and continuous improvement efforts.

Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with the Development, Communications, Program Services, Finance, and Auxiliary Services teams to align community engagement efforts with organizational priorities.
• Support special events, fundraising campaigns, awareness initiatives, and advocacy activities through relationship development and community outreach efforts.
• Participate in organizational strategic planning and cross-functional projects.
• Contribute to a collaborative, mission-driven culture across the organization.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of nonprofit management principles and community-based programming.
• Understanding of community engagement, volunteer management, coalition building, and stakeholder relations.
• Knowledge of grant-funded programs and reporting requirements.
• Familiarity with program evaluation, performance measurement, and outcomes tracking.
• Understanding of community needs assessment methodologies.
• Knowledge of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice principles.
• Working knowledge of AmeriCorps and national service programs preferred.
• Exceptional relationship-building and partnership-development skills.
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.
• Strategic planning and project management experience
• Program management and evaluation capabilities.
• Grant administration and reporting skills.
• Data collection and analysis proficiency.
• Organizational and time-management skills with strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, database systems, and constituent relationship management platforms.
• Ability to effectively engage stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and sectors.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently while fostering collaboration across teams.
• Ability to analyze community needs and develop responsive engagement strategies.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism.
• Ability to inspire trust, build consensus, and facilitate collaborative decision-making.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Ability to work with individuals experiencing economic hardship, trauma, or barriers to accessing services with empathy and professionalism.

Work Environment

This position operates in a professional office environment and within community-based settings throughout Central Alabama, primarily Woodlawn. The role requires frequent interaction with community stakeholders, partner organizations, volunteers, funders, and participants served through the Family Resource Center.

• Regular local travel throughout Central Alabama.
• Frequent attendance at community meetings, outreach events, networking functions, and stakeholder gatherings.
• Occasional evening and weekend work to support programs, volunteer initiatives, grant activities, and community events.
• Combination of office-based work, community engagement activities, and remote meetings.
• Extended periods of computer work and administrative responsibilities.
• Ability to lift and transport materials, event supplies, or outreach materials up to 25 pounds.

Minimum Qualifications: Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or Social Work.

• Must have a valid driver’s license, excellent driving record, and personal liability insurance.
• Must be able to successfully complete a criminal history background check.

Mission Alignment

The Community Engagement Director must demonstrate commitment to the mission of YWCA Central Alabama:

Eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

This position serves as a key ambassador for the organization and plays a vital role in increasing awareness, community engagement, philanthropic support, and advocacy impact throughout Central Alabama.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree in business, law, public policy, or related field preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in fund development, government relations, or related fields; management experience required.
• Strong strategic thinking, communication, relationship-building, and critical thinking skills.
• Experience collaborating with executives, boards, and external stakeholders.
• Technology-savvy; familiarity with donor management or grant software preferred.
• CFRE certification is highly desired.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally and regionally.

Work Environment

• Full-time, salaried position; standard weekday hours with evening/weekend events as needed.
• Office-based role requiring computer use and mobility throughout the building, occasional travel to community sites or partner locations.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. as needed.

Individuals qualified for this position must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to successfully participate in the job application or interview process or to perform the essential job functions, notify the Human Resources department, who will determine if the request can be met or whether it will cause undue hardship for the organization.