Executive Director – The Center for Community Transitions

PLEASE NOTE: To receive full consideration for this position, please submit the requested information through Armstrong McGuire’s portal at www.armstrongmcguire.com/jobs. Due to integration issues, applications submitted through 3rd party sites such as Indeed and LinkedIn may not be received.

The Opportunity
We are seeking a dynamic leader to drive the development, strategic planning, and operational leadership of The Center for Community Transitions (CCT). The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about making a difference, fostering partnerships, managing financials, and leading a team toward achieving our mission. This role requires expertise in fundraising, program development, advocacy, and building strong relationships with key stakeholders.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

Development, Fundraising & Financial Management:

• Lead revenue development through fundraising initiatives, oversight of grant-funded programs, and cultivating relationships with public, private, and corporate donors, while maintaining corporate partnerships.
• Identify and establish new, sustainable funding sources and strategic partnerships.
• Oversee financial stewardship, assisting with grant management, and developing and maintaining grant budgets.
• Ensure adherence to accounting principles and internal controls; participate in audits as needed.
• Monitor the organization’s budget, ensuring that revenue and expenditures align with projections for optimal cash flow and year-end results.
• Collaborate with staff, contractors, and the board to prepare and monitor budgets, adjusting, as necessary.

Strategic Planning & Operational Leadership:

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by applying effective change management strategies.
• Work with the board and staff to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan, covering financial, programmatic, communications, and data management goals.
• Ensure processes, procedures, and operations are standardized or updated as needed to drive organizational efficiency.

Communications & Media Relations:

• Serve as the primary spokesperson for the organization, representing CCT to clients, members, the public, nonprofits, government agencies, and funders.
• Oversee internal and external communications strategies.
• Attend community meetings on behalf of CCT or assign a designee to represent the organization.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, interest groups, and the media.

Advocacy & Community Relations:

• Advocate for CCT in local, state, and national forums, engaging with government agencies, clients, and relevant organizations.
• Foster collaborative relationships with community agencies to enhance service delivery.
• Stay informed on trends and developments in reentry, criminal justice, social justice, and nonprofit sectors to effectively advocate for residents and CCT’s mission.

Program Development & Management:

• Oversee the development and execution of programs, ensuring they align with the organization’s mission and goals.
• Conduct annual reviews of program processes, outcome measures, and make necessary adjustments.
• Track program progress and outcomes, ensuring alignment with annual goals and maintaining program fidelity.
• Serve as the Facility Head/Superintendent for the Center for Community Transitions, Center for Women under the NC Department of Adult Corrections, providing leadership and empowerment to the team.

Administration & Board Relations:

• Ensure compliance with workplace laws, audit standards, and organizational policies, and maintain good standing with funders and stakeholders.
• Conduct annual performance reviews for staff and ensure operations follow applicable laws and regulations.
• Focus on strengthening CCT’s brand within the reentry field by fostering external relationships and focusing on key strategic goals.
• Coach and guide  the leadership team, including program directors and fund development and communications teams.
• Review and approve agency contracts and Memorandums of Understanding, collaborating with the board as needed.
• Keep the board informed on organizational conditions and key developments, providing ongoing training to enhance their skills in governance, fundraising, and relevant topics.

Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree in public administration, Criminal Justice, Social Work, or a related field.
• Experience: At least 5 years of leadership experience, including direct supervision of 5 or more staff members and oversight of related programs.
• Fundraising: Proven record of successful fundraising, donor relations, and development.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Technology: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Salesforce is a plus.
• Other: Comfort working in detention centers and prison facilities on an occasional basis.

Critical Skills & Capabilities:

• Strong knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Experience in case management, program development, and staff supervision.
• Proficiency in applying change management principles.
• Ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, including different religions, socioeconomic statuses, cultures, and educational levels.
• Strong people skills with the ability to assess needs and provide support effectively.
• Capable of working both independently and as part of a collaborative team.

About the The Center for Community Transitions

For more than four decades, we’ve assisted individuals and families throughout the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community who have been impacted by incarceration, while also serving as a thought leader on re-imagining justice.

In the early 1970s, a North Carolina Department of Correction intern presented a white paper on reducing recidivism by helping people find employment and housing when released from prison.

Research at that time – and still today – cites employment as a way to reduce recidivism. From that document, NCDOC applied for an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) grant to help inmates transition from prison to the Charlotte community.

CCT has grown from serving 100 people annually to serving 1,500-plus while operating with 23 full-time employees.

Mission

The Center for Community Transitions is a non-profit organization with a mission to strengthen our community by helping people with criminal records and their families find a healthier and more productive way of living.

Our work provides employment and transition services; supports alternatives to incarceration; and restores and strengthens family bonds.

Goals

• Return individuals to their family and our community as law-abiding citizens and reengage them as parents, employees, and neighbors.
• Break the cycle of recidivism and of intergenerational criminal justice involvement.
• Advocate for social justice changes in the system that eliminates barriers and obstacles to full restoration of citizen rights.
• Strengthen families affected by incarceration.

Who We Serve

CCT serves any person who has had an encounter with the criminal justice system, and families impacted by incarceration.

What We Do

CCT meets its mission through these programs and initiatives:

LifeWorks! provides practical training, employment seeking assistance, help in defining personal values and assist with making thinking and behaviors better match those values.

The Center for Women is a 30-bed residential program for women who are still incarcerated and eligible to participate in a reentry program. The reentry program assists with transition planning and action plans including employment, family reunification, housing, and other individual needs.

Behavioral Health Program — launched in 2021, offering gender-responsive counseling and trauma-informed care to Center for Women residents as they prepare for reentry.

Want to know more? Visit The Center for Community Transitions website at centerforcommunitytransitions.org

Think you are the next Center for Community Transitions’ Executive Director?
To apply, click on the link to the Executive Director position profile at ArmstrongMcGuire.com/jobs. You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, salary requirements, and professional references. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact talent@armstrongmcguire.com. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites.

Review of candidates will begin April 18th and continue until the position is filled.

Salary is commensurate with the requirements of the position and begins in the $110k range. Benefits include medical, dental, life, short and long-term disability insurance;  403(b) retirement plans; accrued vacation and sick time.

 

About Armstrong McGuire
Armstrong McGuire is a leading national executive search, fundraising and strategic advising firm that believes in unlocking the potential of nonprofit leaders and the communities they serve. Founded in 2004, our diverse team of advisors work with clients and leaders to align strategy, optimize operations, build capacity, and lead nationwide searches that bring supremely talented individuals to high-impact organizations. Learn more about our services in talent acquisition, fundraising counsel, and strategic planning. Armstrong McGuire