2025 Partnership Manager Rural Prosperity and Investment

Remote
Full Time
Rural Prosperity
Experienced

MDC seeks a Partnership Manager to support MDC's rural capacity building and technical assistance work in North Carolina and beyond.  This role will implement projects that advance rural prosperity and investment by supporting individuals, organizations, and coalitions working on issues that may include health equity, environmental justice, disaster resilience, and community development.

Learn more about projects in the Rural Prosperity and Investment issue area by visiting https://www.mdcinc.org/projects/#rural-communities.  

MDC enjoys support from national and regional partners in private philanthropy, business, and government. MDC envisions a South where systemic inequities no longer exist, and all people thrive. 

About MDC (Meaning, Dignity, and Community) 

Founded in 1967, MDC catalyzes and accelerates economic mobility across the thirteen Southern states by activating changemakers, strengthening capacity, framing key issues, and cultivating networks—centering equity through it all. 

​​MDC is based in Durham, NC with a staff of approximately 45 and oversight from a national board of directors.  Our leadership team includes our President and CEO, two Vice-presidents, and four Senior Program Directors that cover our major issue areas.   

  1. Leadership & Philanthropy 

  1. Educational Equity 

  1. Economic Security & Mobility 

  1. Rural Prosperity & Investment 


About the Partnership Manager for Rural Prosperity and Investment 

The purpose of the Partnership Manager position is to strengthen the leadership infrastructure across rural communities by providing a range of community-based and community-led consulting, capacity-building, and technical assistance services. Partnership Managers lead a portfolio of work in a specific region or issue area, while also supporting their colleagues’ portfolios as needed. The Partnership Manager will be responsible for project planning, facilitation, coalition building, strategic planning, community outreach, communications, and other tools. This position is supervised by a Program Director under Rural Prosperity & Investment.  Specific goals include:

  1. Provide an array of community-based, community-led technical assistance services. These may include facilitating and documenting meetings, leadership coaching, research and policy analysis, advocacy campaign development, and trainings. This may also include identifying other consultants or services outside of MDC. (30%)
  2. Build and manage relationships, subcontracts, and convenings with a diverse network of community-based partners and/or statewide partners across a range of issues. (20%)
  3. Lead or support program directors with grant management, project transparency, and accountability by tracking and reporting on internal and external progress toward objectives in written and verbal forms for multiple audiences. Key deliverables include but are not limited to logic models, asset maps, strategic plans, partnership agreement frameworks (i.e. MOUs, contracts, etc.), one-pagers, and presentations to share information with internal and external audiences. (20%)
  4. Supervise, coach, and manage a Dan Broun Program Associate (and or other relevant staff) throughout a yearlong internship program. (20%)
  5. Other duties as needed to advance the broader mission of MDC that will be identified in partnership with MDC leadership, including representing MDC at conferences and meetings convened by local, state, and national partner organizations. (10%)


Qualifications 

We seek candidates who have a keen interest, passion, and/or experience in rural communities. Competitive candidates will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the objectives of one or more Rural Prosperity and Investment projects. This is a hybrid (virtual and in-person) position, and candidates will travel across North Carolina or other southern states up to 30% of their time. Successful candidates will be both self-directed and comfortable collaborating with a close-knit, mission-driven team.
 

  1. Bachelor's Degree or equivalent level of experience leading to 5-7 years of professional and academic professional experience in fields related to one or more of the following: program management and evaluation, community development, organizational and leadership development, public administration, public health, public policy, or community organizing.
  2. Strong project management and customer service skills that are supported by the ability to write and speak clearly and concisely with a variety of stakeholders, think creatively, and lead collaboratively.
  3. Experience and proficiency with process facilitation, conflict management, coaching, or policy campaigns in virtual, hybrid, and in-person settings.  There should also be an openness to understanding MDC’s particular style of convening, facilitation, training, and coaching, along with an appreciation for continuous learning.
  4. Alignment with MDC’s mission and our team’s values of People, Power, Progress, and Partnership; a mature understanding of equity and associated concepts, the power of community-led systemic change; and a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all internal and external work. 
  5. Strong self-awareness and empathy, with the capacity to build authentic relationships, maintain partnerships with a broad range of strategic partners, and work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
  6. Excellent proficiency in using meeting platforms and internet tools to achieve our objectives, especially Microsoft Office 365 (including SharePoint and Microsoft Teams), Zoom, Google Docs, Canva, Mailchimp, and Asana.
  7. Ability to work in both Spanish and English, as well as experience working with Latine communities is highly preferred.

Organizational Culture 

We work in a high-paced environment with full days but remain dedicated to a strong work/life balance.  We strive to produce excellent work toward our individual and collective goals as a program and as part of MDC.  Staff members have their own projects but will also be expected to work collaboratively. Staff are required to attend quarterly in-person meetings in Durham, NC. Travel across North Carolina or other southern states several times per month is also required. Office space is available in Durham, NC upon request. 

  1. The Rural Prosperity & Investment team currently consists of a senior director, 2 program directors, 5 partnership managers, 1 program administrator, 1 program coordinator, and 5 program associates (interns). 

  1. The Rural Prosperity & Investment team meets virtually twice every month for two hours, once in person quarterly, and has at least one retreat per year.    

To Apply 

The hiring range for this position is $65,000 - $75,000. 

MDC offers an excellent benefits package.  This position will be a full-time exempt position and is eligible for a full package of benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance; short-term and long-term disability; life insurance; vacation, sick, and personal leave; employee assistance program, wellness benefit, remote work stipend and paid retirement account contributions with match. 

MDC is an equal opportunity employer. As an organization committed to diversity and equity, it is our policy to provide an equal employment opportunity to all individuals without regard to age, color, race, religion, national origin, disability, military/veteran status, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation or status in any other group, protected by federal or local law or for any other reason. We encourage applications from people of color, women, the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups. Further, MDC values candidates with lived experience relevant to our mission.  Reasonable accommodations are available on request.  

  1. For more information about MDC, visit www.mdcinc.org.  

  1. Send your application package (cover letter, resume, and three references) electronically through JazzHR rather than by regular mail.  

  1. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with the first round of 60-minute interviews over Zoom scheduled to begin the week of December 9, 2024.   

  1. The desired start date for this position is February 3, 2025.    

  1. If you require assistance with your application, please email [email protected]. 

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