Senior Director, Economic Security & Mobility

MDC; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 132,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

MDC in Durham, North Carolina seeks a strategic, equity-centered Senior Director of Economic Security & Mobility to lead a portfolio focused on expanding access to quality jobs, strengthening financial security, and shaping policies across the South.

The role guides strategy, staff, partnerships, and program implementation, collaborating with the VP of Programs to align research, community engagement, and external relationships in service of mobility and economic opportunity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, or related field.
• 10+ years in workforce or community development, benefits experience.
• 3–5 years of supervisory experience managing mid-level leaders.
• Strong strategy, execution, and organizational transformation skills.
• Experience building revenue and sustainability opportunities.
• Proven ability to represent organization to diverse stakeholders.
• Equity-centered leadership approach.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategy, priorities, and direction for MDC’s Economic Security & Mobility focus area.
• Oversee portfolio operations, work plans, program performance, and staffing adjustments.
• Develop and manage program budgets, monitor grant performance, address gaps.
• Lead recruitment, supervision, evaluation, and development of staff.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with funders and partners to advance goals.

Skills

Strategy & execution

People management

Organizational transformation

Revenue & sustainability development

External stakeholder relations

Equity-centered leadership

Collaboration & teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, public administration, social sciences (or related field)

Job description

Help Shape Economic Opportunity Across the South

MDC seeks a strategic, collaborative, and equity-centered leader to serve as our next Senior Director of Economic Security & Mobility. This is an opportunity to guide a dynamic portfolio of work focused on strengthening household financial security, expanding access to quality jobs, and addressing the systems and policies that shape economic opportunity across the South.

The Senior Director of Economic Security & Mobility provides strategic, equity-centered leadership for MDC’s work to expand economic opportunity across the South. This role guides the focus area’s strategy, portfolio direction, staff leadership, partnerships, resource stewardship, and contribution to organizational influence and knowledge in the economic security and mobility realm. Working closely with the Vice President of Programs and cross-functional teams, the Senior Director is expected to align programs, policy, research, community engagement, and external partnerships in ways that advance financial stability, quality jobs, workforce and career mobility, and systems change for people and communities historically separated from opportunity.

About MDC

Founded in 1967, MDC is a Southern nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing equity and economic mobility. We work with leaders, institutions, and communities to address systemic barriers and create pathways to opportunity. Our work spans education, economic security & mobility, rural prosperity and investment, and equity-centered philanthropy. Through research, partnerships, policy advocacy, and community-informed strategies, we help organizations and communities turn evidence into action.

We envision a South where all people thrive and where life outcomes are not determined by identity, background, or ZIP code.

Primary Responsibilities and Expectations

As Senior Director, you will provide:

1. Strategy & Programmatic Leadership: Set the strategy, priorities, and direction for MDC’s Economic Security & Mobility focus area.
2. Operational & Systems Governance: Oversee Economic Security & Mobility portfolio operations, work plans, program performance, and guide adjustments to scope, staffing, or implementation in partnership with the Vice President of Programs.
3. Financial & Resource Stewardship: Develop and manage program budgets, allocate approved resources, monitor financial and grant performance, and address funding or capacity gaps in collaboration with program, finance, and development leadership.
4. Leadership: Lead the recruitment, supervision, evaluation, development, and performance management of Economic Security & Mobility staff in accordance with MDC policies.
5. External Representation & Strategic Partnerships: Represent MDC’s approved positions with stakeholders, funders, and partners; cultivate strategic relationships that advance MDC’s workforce, economic security, and economic mobility goals.

The Senior Director for Economic Security and Mobility reports to the Vice President of Programs. In addition to steady interaction with senior leaders and staff, this position will interact with board members and external partners on a local, regional, and national level.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, public administration, social sciences (or related field)
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in workforce development, community development, public benefits
• Minimum 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.

Work Environment and Compensation

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

MDC is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and equal employment opportunities. We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives who share our commitment to advancing equity and economic mobility across the South.