VP, Economic Mobility & Community Transformation

United Way Worldwide; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

United Way of Greater Atlanta (UWGA) is seeking a strategic, community-centered leader to advance our long-term economic mobility strategy through place-based implementation, partnership activation, investment planning, and community engagement.

The Vice President, Economic Mobility & Community Transformation will translate established strategy into action by leading economic mobility efforts within pilot communities, aligning investments and partnerships, strengthening community leadership, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required; advanced degree is preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in economic mobility, community development, philanthropy, collective impact, public-sector leadership, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success leading complex cross-sector initiatives and high-performing teams.
• Experience translating strategy into implementation plans, measurable outcomes, and sustained results.
• Strong background in partnership development across nonprofit, philanthropic, government, and business sectors.
• Experience managing investments, grants, or significant funding portfolios.
• Proven ability to leverage community engagement, data, and evaluation to inform decision-making.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, relationship management, and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of the Greater Atlanta region or experience leading comparable work in a similar community.
• Deep commitment to community agency, resident leadership, equity, and long-term economic mobility.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of UWGA's economic mobility strategy across pilot communities.
• Translate strategic priorities into implementation plans, measurable goals, and operational strategies.
• Identify opportunities, risks, resource needs, and emerging lessons to inform ongoing decision-making.
• Drive evidence-informed approaches that can be scaled and replicated.
• Lead performance management and implementation learning efforts.
• Use data, community insights, and evaluation findings to guide continuous improvement.
• Communicate progress, outcomes, and lessons learned to leadership, partners, funders, and community stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Community engagement

Partnership development

Fundraising collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Vice President, Economic Mobility & Community Transformation

United Way of Greater Atlanta (UWGA) is seeking a strategic, community-centered leader to advance our long-term economic mobility strategy through place-based implementation, partnership activation, investment planning, and community engagement.

The Vice President, Economic Mobility & Community Transformation will translate established strategy into action by leading economic mobility efforts within pilot communities, aligning investments and partnerships, strengthening community leadership, and generating lessons that can inform broader regional impact. This executive will serve as a bridge between community priorities and organizational strategy while fostering collaboration among residents, community organizations, funders, and regional partners.

The ideal candidate is equally effective in community and executive settings, combining strategic thinking, operational discipline, relationship-building expertise, and a strong commitment to measurable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Implementation

• Lead execution of UWGA's economic mobility strategy across pilot communities.
• Translate strategic priorities into implementation plans, measurable goals, and operational strategies.
• Identify opportunities, risks, resource needs, and emerging lessons to inform ongoing decision-making.
• Drive evidence-informed approaches that can be scaled and replicated.

Community Engagement & Place-Based Impact

• Ensure community priorities, resident leadership, youth voice, and local assets remain central to implementation efforts.
• Guide community activation strategies, collective action initiatives, and cross-sector collaboration.
• Support capacity-building efforts for community partners through learning opportunities, technical assistance, and shared best practices.

Investment & Partnership Development

• Develop funding and investment recommendations aligned with community priorities and economic mobility goals.
• Collaborate with internal teams on grantmaking strategy, performance expectations, and stewardship efforts.
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, funders, corporate partners, government agencies, and other key stakeholders.
• Support fundraising efforts by helping articulate a compelling case for investment grounded in community impact.

Learning, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Lead performance management and implementation learning efforts.
• Use data, community insights, and evaluation findings to guide continuous improvement.
• Communicate progress, outcomes, and lessons learned to leadership, partners, funders, and community stakeholders.

Regional & Organizational Leadership

• Represent UWGA in Opportunity Rising and other regional collaborations.
• Bring community-based insights to regional conversations about economic mobility and systems change.
• Lead and develop a high-performing, cross-functional team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, learning, and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in economic mobility, community development, philanthropy, collective impact, public-sector leadership, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success leading complex cross-sector initiatives and high-performing teams.
• Experience translating strategy into implementation plans, measurable outcomes, and sustained results.
• Strong background in partnership development across nonprofit, philanthropic, government, and business sectors.
• Experience managing investments, grants, or significant funding portfolios.
• Proven ability to leverage community engagement, data, and evaluation to inform decision-making.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, relationship management, and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of the Greater Atlanta region or experience leading comparable work in a similar community.
• Deep commitment to community agency, resident leadership, equity, and long-term economic mobility.

Why This Role Matters

Economic mobility is shaped by the systems, relationships, investments, and opportunities surrounding children and families. This role offers an opportunity to help turn UWGA's strategy into meaningful community impact by mobilizing partners, stewarding investments, strengthening community leadership, and creating scalable solutions that improve outcomes across Greater Atlanta.