Executive Director, Centralina Regional Council

Developmental Associates, LLC; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Centralina Regional Council seeks an Executive Director to guide its nine‑county region with authentic, strategic leadership and a focus on sustainable funding, collaboration and high performance.

The successful candidate will report to the Board of Delegates, lead operations, oversee a $36.7M total budget, and advance four strategic goals to expand opportunity and improve quality of life across the region.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in public administration, urban/regional planning, business administration, urban studies, political science, or a closely related field.
• Ten+ years of progressively responsible administrative experience in local government or regional council operations.
• Five+ years in executive leadership or senior management in a public, nonprofit, or regional organization.
• Proven track record with a Board of Directors and intergovernmental relations.
• Demonstrated knowledge in teamwork leadership, financial management, budgeting, grants, pass-through and braided funding.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Chief Executive Officer, reporting to the Board of Delegates and Executive Board.
• Lead operational initiatives and generate financial opportunities.
• Oversee regional programs and align with strategic goals across nine-county area.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Relationship building

Collaboration

Communication

People leadership

Local autonomy

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Lead Regional Progress. Empower Local Action.

Applicants should apply by September 26, 2026

Are you a visionary, collaborative leader ready to shape the future of one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation? Centralina Regional Council is seeking its next Executive Director to guide its high-performing team into a dynamic new era.

Headquartered in the vibrant metropolis of Charlotte, North Carolina, Centralina unites 70 communities across nine counties to tackle complex challenges, spark economic opportunity, and enhance the quality of life for 2.25 million residents. If you excel at building trust-based relationships, diversifying resources, and bringing diverse stakeholders together around shared goals, this is your opportunity to make a lasting regional impact.

Centralina serves as a trusted:

• Regional Convener: Creating common ground for research, relationship building, and strategic planning.
• Service Coordinator & Project Manager: Facilitating efficient regional initiatives across planning, infrastructure, and development.
• Resource Partner & Technical Advisor: Providing data, training, and tailored capacity support to member communities.
• Administrator: Managing regional institutions across economic growth, environmental resilience, and human services.

About the Community

Headquartered in Charlotte—the energetic “Queen City”—Centralina serves the thriving nine-county region encompassing Anson, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, and Union counties. An average of 135 people move to the region each day. It offers a balance of big-city economic vitality and historic charm with breathtaking natural beauty. As one of North Carolina’s premier economic engines, rapid growth brings inspiring possibilities, making visionary, collaborative leadership more vital than ever.

Life here revolves around sunshine, community, and active living. With a mild four-season climate and over 210 sunny days a year, outdoor recreation is woven into daily life. Boaters and water sports enthusiasts flock to Lake Norman and Lake Wylie, while thrill-seekers explore the 1,300-acre U.S. National Whitewater Center—an official Olympic training facility featuring world-class rafting, climbing, and miles of trail systems. Winding urban greenways and welcoming neighborhood parks connect communities, while a prime geographic location places the Blue Ridge Mountains just two hours west and Atlantic beaches three and a half hours east.

Beyond the scenery, the region offers an unmatched lifestyle for every family. Center City features renowned cultural destinations, like the Levine Center for the Arts and the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, home to Broadway national tours, symphony, and ballet. Sports fans cheer on NFL, NBA, and MLS teams in Uptown, catch stock car racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway, or enjoy Minor League baseball at some of the best ballparks in the nation. Foodies love the 40+ craft breweries and a bustling food scene featuring James Beard-nominated chefs. The region offers an ideal quality of life, with walkable communities, arts-driven areas and picturesque landscapes within minutes of each other. Many of its communities are ranked among the best places to live nationally, offering top-rated schools and amenities for everyone in the family. Underpinning this extraordinary quality of life is world-class infrastructure. Charlotte Douglas International Airport offers direct flights worldwide, while the LYNX Blue Line light rail connects southern suburbs through Uptown to UNC Charlotte. Backed by nationally recognized healthcare networks, including Atrium Health and Novant Health, alongside exceptional educational institutions, the Charlotte region is an unbeatable place to advance your career, raise a family, and thrive.

About the Organization and the Position

Established in 1968, Centralina Regional Council is a public council of governments authorized by the General Assembly—one of 16 regional councils in North Carolina (Region F). Governance is anchored by a Board of Delegates representing member local governments and overseen by an 18-member Executive Board who are elected officials within the nine-county service area.

The Executive Director serves as Chief Executive Officer, reporting to the Board of Delegates and Executive Board. The Executive Director is responsible for leading operational initiatives and generating financial opportunities.

With an operating budget of $20.5M and $16.2M in passthrough funding ($36.7M total), Centralina employs 47 dedicated staff structured across six departments and seven focus areas:

• Focus Areas: Aging & Health, Community Economic Development, Local Government Support, Natural Resources & Resilience, Planning & Placemaking, Transportation & Mobility, and Workforce & Talent.
• Organizational Structure: Internal operations (Administration & Finance, Strategic Engagement & Technical Services) and external services (Regional Planning, Community Economic Development, Area Agency on Aging, Workforce Development Board).

Centralina’s staff serve as subject-matter experts, ensuring the organization meets critical business strategic priorities and remains responsive to those who need the most help. Friendly, talented and professional staff help Centralina remain a trusted source of data and analysis that informs decision makers and calls attention to important trends.

Centralina’s mission is to lead regional collaboration and spark local action to expand opportunity and improve quality of life. Guided by a regularly updated Strategic Plan, leadership focuses on four overarching goals:

• Goal 1: Collaborate to prepare, plan and act on issues that respond to today’s needs and tomorrow’s opportunities.
• Goal 2: Strengthen capacity, efficiency and innovative practice to improve quality of life and enhance economic opportunity.
• Goal 3: Cultivate relationships to advance regional awareness, collaboration and impact.
• Goal 4: Invest in the talent and infrastructure needed to support Centralina as a high-performing, highly desirable place to work.

Learn more about the organization by reviewing their 24-25 annual report, annual financial report, and FY 27 workplan.

The Successful Candidate Characteristics

Stakeholders seek an authentic, strategic, and inclusive leader who can:

• Expand Regional Collaboration & Partnerships: Serve as a convener to address growth, infrastructure demands, housing affordability, and workforce development.
• Strengthen Organizational Sustainability & Fiscal Health: Diversify revenue streams and ensure long‑term operational resilience.
• Secure External Funding & Grants: Proactively identify and capture federal, state, and philanthropic grant opportunities.
• Strengthen Member Engagement & Relationships: Deepen trust and engagement with member local governments, elected officials, and regional delegates.
• Support Local Government Capacity: Provide high‑value technical assistance, training, and implementation support tailored to municipal and county needs.

With a demonstrated aptitude for:

• Strategic & Visionary Leadership: Anticipates regional trends, navigates funding shifts, and positions the organization for sustainable growth.
• Relationship Building & Unification: Skilled at bringing together diverse rural, suburban, and urban stakeholders to achieve common goals.
• Collaborative & Approachable Communication: Exceptional listener who maintains political neutrality, communicates Centralina's value clearly, and builds trust.
• Empowering Team Leadership: Promotes staff growth, values work‑life balance, respects internal culture, and inspires continuous improvement.
• Champion for Local Autonomy: Respects local government authority while balancing broad regional goals.

• Education: Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in public administration, urban and regional planning, business administration, urban studies, political science, or a closely related field required.
• Experience:
  1. Ten or more years of progressively responsible administrative experience in local government or regional council operations.
  2. Five or more years in executive leadership or senior management in a public, nonprofit, or regional organization.
  3. Proven track record working directly with a Board of Directors and intergovernmental relations.
  4. Demonstrated background and substantial knowledge in team leadership, financial management, budgeting, grants, pass‑through and braided funding.
• Core Competencies: Deep understanding of regional planning, economic development, grant development, intergovernmental funding, transportation planning, workforce development, aging/human services, and county/municipal operations.

Salary, Benefits, & Work Environment

• Salary:Starting salary is competitive anddependent on qualifications, experience, and market considerations.
  • Benefits Package: Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance; enrollment in the North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System (NC LGERS), 401(k), and flexible benefit programs. Learn more about their benefits here.
  • Hybrid Work Option:One of Centralina’s greatest strengths is its flexible and supportive work environment. Employees are encouraged to maintain a healthy work‑life balance, and workplace flexibility is consistently recognized as one of the most valued benefits of working there. Employees may request the option to work outside of the Centralina office at their home on a set day or days of the week via an established and approved work schedule.
  • Work Culture: Centralina prides itself on providing an inclusive, creative, and supportive work culture that emphasizes collaboration and staff empowerment.
  • Residency:Residency within the Centralina nine‑county region is expected within a negotiated timeframe.

Centralina Regional Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Recruitment and selection are managed by Developmental Associates, LLC.