What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Community Investments position at United Way of Great Knoxville?
- Three direct reports:
- Community Grants Manager
- Regional Outreach Coordinator
- Community Engagement Associate
- Lead Community Investment Strategy: Develop, implement, and oversee UWGK’s community investment strategy, including managing multiple annual grant-making processes.
- Set Strategic Goals: Inform UWGK’s impact agenda by establishing goals and objectives for community investments and leading capacity-building initiatives for nonprofit partners.
- Evaluate & Improve Processes: Assess the effectiveness of community investment strategies, analyze outcomes, and implement improvements for future initiatives.
- Expand Training & Consultation Services: Develop and grow UWGK’s fee-for-service offerings, including training and consultation services for nonprofit organizations.
- Supervise & Strengthen Systems: Lead and support the Community Investments team, ensuring effective personnel management and operational systems.
- Engage Volunteer Review Panels: Direct volunteer review panels and committees, providing oversight and manager-level support to ensure meaningful engagement and decision-making.
- Stay Informed & Share Knowledge: Monitor local, state, and national trends, emerging best practices/trends, and public policy developments, collaborating with relevant team members to keep UWGK informed.
- Facilitate Collaboration & Capacity Building: Strengthen connections between community programs, coordinate training efforts, and support nonprofit partnerships.
- Oversee Agency Partnerships: Manage partnership agreements, lead collaborative feedback efforts, and oversee strategic reporting processes for funded agencies.
- Support Strategic Communications: Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications team to integrate and showcase community investments and capacity-building initiatives into UWGK’s year-round strategic marketing plan.
- Advance UWGK’s Mission: Ensure that all community investment and capacity-building efforts align with UWGK’s mission and strategic priorities.
- Represent UWGK in the Community: Identify and participate in community task forces, committees, and councils that align with UWGK’s impact goals and enhance community awareness and visibility of our work and brand.
- Adapt & Contribute as Needed: Take on additional responsibilities as new opportunities arise or as assigned by the President & CEO.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to effectively plan, execute, and oversee multiple initiatives.
- Ability to present information and ideas clearly and persuasively to executive teams, volunteers, and the board of directors.
- Demonstrated success in collaborative work environments, group facilitation, and engaging leadership volunteers.
- Recognized as a motivational, supportive, and visionary leader who fosters teamwork and innovation.
- Excellent organizational, time management, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Adaptability to change, with the ability to work independently and apply strong problem-solving skills.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Education and Experience: - Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, business, or impact-related discipline.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in nonprofit organizations, management, or human services.
- Background in complex organizations of commensurate size and scope
Start Your Journey Here
United Way of Greater Knoxville (UWGK) is part of a global organization dedicated to making a direct and lasting impact in our local communities. By bringing together voices from community members, businesses, and organizations, we work to ensure our neighbors have access to financial security, early care and education, nutritious food, and more. YOU play a vital role in making this mission a reality. Join a group of passionate individuals, collaborate on meaningful work, and serve the communities you call home.
UWGK includes a reasonable compensation range estimate for this role to provide transparency in our hiring process. Compensation is determined by skills, experience, training, and required certifications. To support performance-based growth, UWGK generally does not hire at the top of a position's salary range. This role's estimated range is $75,000 to $85,000 per year.
How We Work
Our people are our most valuable asset. Our employees' collective knowledge, experiences, creativity, and dedication shape our culture, strengthen our reputation, and drive our success.
When you join UWGK, you become a trusted advisor, working alongside colleagues and community partners to develop insights that lead to meaningful and sustainable outcomes. In 2022, we celebrated 100 years of service and launched our vision for the next century.
As a Thriving United Way, we are expanding our efforts to create lasting, systemic change. In addition to supporting nonprofits, we are working at a broader level in areas like food access, economic mobility, and early care and education—advocating for long-term solutions that strengthen our entire community.
At UWGK, we foster a collaborative and inclusive workplace where employees are supported in their growth and success. We work closely with local businesses, nonprofit partners, and community organizations to build strong, thriving communities. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing a fair and accessible hiring process. If you need accommodations at any point during the recruitment process, please let us know—we are happy to assist.
Join Our Mission
Ready to make an impact? Join UWGK, where your ideas and actions contribute to meaningful change.
Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics such as race, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, military status, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
UWGK provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which may vary based on job requirements.
Salary : $75,000 - $85,000