Director of Economic Development

SALARY RANGE: $110,000 to $130,000

OUR STORY

Since opening our doors in 1965, MAAC has focused on helping individuals and families create the lives they want and deserve. For more than five decades, MAAC has been a champion for underrepresented communities throughout San Diego County, providing families in need with resources to achieve self-sufficiency and improve their living conditions. While the organization first began in the southern region of San Diego, MAAC now operates 35 sites across the county, from San Ysidro to Fallbrook. With an annual operating budget of $46 million, MAAC employs nearly 600 staff who provide life-changing services to 70,000 individuals annually through programs in five core focus areas: Education, Economic Development, Health & Wellbeing, Housing, and Advocacy & Leadership Development.

POSITION SUMMARY

Working under the guidance of the Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Economic Development will further define and develop the infrastructure and systems to support MAAC’s goals around economic development. Specifically, the Director will develop opportunities for increasing and strengthening pathways towards economic mobility for individuals receiving services through MAAC’s network of human services programs.

The Director of Economic Development will serve as a key member of MAAC’s leadership team, providing expertise in the evaluation of economic and labor market trends, as well as innovations pertaining to workforce development and asset-building programming. They will lead grant and revenue development opportunities, and partner with other organizations as required to best position MAAC for funding.

Key strategic priorities include:

1. Place the people and communities we serve at the heart of our economic development efforts.
2. Market and promote MAAC as a strategic partner to deepen and scale impact.
3. Ensure MAAC is viewed as a key player in high-level conversations around the County pertaining to workforce development, homeownership, overall access to economic opportunity, and inclusive economic recovery.

The ideal candidate will have a deep passion for expanding access to economic opportunity, financial self-sufficiency, and community development. They will possess a strong work ethic, enjoy dynamic problem-solving, operate with a mission-first mindset, and exhibit a track record of cultivating meaningful and productive relationships with diverse partners. MAAC seeks a Director who will inspire others to exceed organizational goals while constantly working to better understand the needs, challenges, and opportunities for the communities we serve.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management

• Directs multiple publicly and privately funded programs including but not limited to a clean vehicle financing and adoption program, zero interest social loan program, early childhood education pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship program, career pathways programs, and utilities assistance programs.
• Responsible for creating, managing, and monitoring the budget, ensuring all spend goals are met.
• Develop and monitor systems, processes, and procedures to ensure compliance with rules, regulations, and grant requirements.
• Train staff on grant requirements, reporting, and operations.
• Lead with a hands-on and highly supportive approach.

Fundraising and Revenue Development:

• Launch creative and innovative programs that support existing fundraising efforts.
• Identify new revenue streams, steward existing funders, and engage with prospective funders.
• Apply for grants, solicit foundations and respond to requests for proposals (RFPs).
• Partner with other nonprofit organizations to pursue funding opportunities where appropriate.

Strategy and Culture

• Serve as an ambassador of the organization, working to enhance and elevate MAAC’s profile.
• Engage and connect with the team and stakeholders to understand the needs, challenges, and opportunities for the communities we serve.
• Build out MAAC’s economic development department, which currently includes twenty-four staff members and a yearly budget in excess of $1.5 million.
• Further develop and elevate MAAC’s existing programming, including Next Level Parent and Youth, Electric Vehicle Access, Lending Circles, and Energy and Water Assistance Programs.
• Craft and implement strategies to market and scale programs to meet goals.
• Instill a culture of workforce development and economic empowerment by ensuring economic development programs are tightly integrated across MAAC’s organizational structure and programming at every level.
• Ensure all MAAC team members, board members, volunteers, and supporters understand the organization’s economic development initiatives and assist in promoting them however appropriate.
• Make presentations to civic leaders, businesses, community groups, program participants, local governmental officials, and the media.

Operations & Administration

• Assist in staffing meetings and committees; prepare collateral and marketing materials.
• Coordinate activities with other departments and agencies.
• Prepare and make regular reports to MAAC senior leadership and Board on progress towards the organization’s economic development goals.
• Participate in MAAC’s annual budget process.
• Continually monitor program outcomes to ensure quality services.
• Supervise and motivate staff, including coaching, mentoring and professional development.
• Participate in special projects and perform additional tasks assigned.

ATTRIBUTES & WORK STYLE

• Passionate: Driven by MAAC’s mission to maximize self-sufficiency for families and individuals; keeps the wellbeing of those MAAC serves at the heart of all programmatic efforts.
• Community-minded: Skilled at connecting with people across the community and possesses a high level of emotional intelligence.
• Team Player: Fosters a respectful, transparent, and collaborative work environment; actively participates in joint problem solving; willingly cooperates with co-workers.
• Growth Mindset: Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for personal and professional development; says “yes” to appropriate new opportunities and ideas for MAAC.
• Reflective: Skilled at receiving and giving feedback and performance critiques.
• Metrics-Driven: An innovative thinker, pairing ideas with solutions and measurable outcomes; leads with a focus on continuous learning and improvement.
• Tact & Diplomacy: Patient, and willing/able to have the difficult conversations as required.
• Meticulous: Superior attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Agile: Ability to adjust to changes and to work effectively in a fast-paced office environment; initiate action and work independently, as well as part of a team.
• Communicative: Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Analytical: Ability to carefully study issues, identify trends, and formulate new ideas.
• Reliable: Punctual and consistent; arrives to meetings prepared and on time; honors work commitments; follows through on what was agreed upon; meets deadlines.
• Business Savvy: Exceptional mind for optimizing workflow and managing people, systems, procedures, and programs.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 5 years of work experience required; preferably in the fields of workforce development, social services, public policy, or community organizing/engagement.
• Experience working with special populations, diverse communities, and those with high barriers to economic mobility.
• Track record of managing multiple priorities, meeting deadlines, adjusting to shifting priorities, and demonstrating confidence when working with diverse stakeholders, including nonprofit, public sector, corporate, faith-based, and philanthropic stakeholders.
• Existing relationships with community-based organizations in San Diego County preferred.
• Working knowledge of resources, programs, and systems currently in place to provide financial capability support to economically disadvantaged individuals and communities.
• Familiarity with and sensitivity to the obstacles and barriers to education and employment faced by many individuals and communities around San Diego County.

EDUCATION & ABILITIES

• Bachelor’s Degree required or Master’s degree preferred.
• Working knowledge of systems change strategies and approaches.
• Bilingual English / Spanish is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to present data visually.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends and travel when required.
• Ability to read and interpret governmental statutes, regulations, and grants.
• Strong and engaging meeting/event facilitation skills preferred.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with all organizational levels within a diverse environment.
• Must be able to regularly travel throughout San Diego County as required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint) is essential.