Senior Director, Economic Security & Mobility

MDC • Durham, NC

5d • $132,000 - $158,400

About The Position

MDC seeks a strategic, collaborative, and equity-centered leader to guide its Economic Security & Mobility focus area. The Senior Director provides strategic leadership for work to strengthen household financial security, expand access to quality jobs, and address the systems and policies shaping economic opportunity across the South. The role guides the focus area’s strategy, portfolio direction, staff leadership, partnerships, resource stewardship, and contribution to organizational influence and knowledge.

Working closely with the Vice President of Programs and cross-functional teams, the Senior Director aligns programs, policy, research, community engagement, and external partnerships to advance financial stability, quality jobs, workforce and career mobility, and systems change for people and communities historically separated from opportunity. The role oversees portfolio operations, work plans, program performance, budgets, and staff, and represents MDC’s approved positions with stakeholders, funders, and partners. The position reports to the Vice President of Programs and interacts with senior leaders, staff, board members, and external partners at local, regional, and national levels.

This is a full-time, exempt position based in Durham, North Carolina, with remote or hybrid work arrangements available. It requires approximately 15% travel for meetings, events, and engagement with partners and stakeholders. The hiring salary range is $132,000 to $158,400. The desired start date is early 2027.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, public administration, social sciences, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in workforce development, community development, or public benefits.
• At least 3–5 years of direct supervisory experience, including managing mid-level leaders.
• Demonstrated skill in strategy, execution, people management, and organizational transformation.
• Experience designing, implementing, or improving workforce programs, career and postsecondary pathways, economic security strategies, or related systems-change initiatives.
• Ability to identify and develop revenue and sustainability opportunities while optimizing operational efficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to represent an organization externally and communicate with diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Collaborative, collegial, and equity-centered leadership approach.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategy, priorities, and direction for MDC’s Economic Security & Mobility focus area.
• Oversee portfolio operations, work plans, and program performance; guide adjustments to scope, staffing, or implementation in partnership with the Vice President of Programs.
• Develop and manage program budgets, allocate approved resources, monitor financial and grant performance, and address funding or capacity gaps with program, finance, and development leadership.
• Lead recruitment, supervision, evaluation, development, and performance management of Economic Security & Mobility staff in accordance with MDC policies.
• Represent MDC’s approved positions with stakeholders, funders, and partners.
• Cultivate strategic relationships that advance MDC’s workforce, economic security, and economic mobility goals.
• Align programs, policy, research, community engagement, and external partnerships to advance financial stability, quality jobs, workforce and career mobility, and systems change.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior