About Heron

Founded in 1992, Heron is dedicated to helping people and communities to help themselves. Heron works directly with local organizations that are embedded in, deeply trusted by, and inherently driven by the voice and vision of their neighbors. Heron partners with communities to source relevant and actionable research, nurture a learning collaborative of peers, help communities reclaim their narrative of place and self, foster stronger collective agency and social bonds, and provide long-term financial support. Heron works mainly in rural communities experiencing persistent poverty, systemic challenges, historic disinvestment, and a legacy of disenfranchisement.

Over the coming 8-10 years, Heron will pursue an exciting, innovative set or strategies to (1) empower dozens of distressed rural communities across the country, (2) help rewrite the playbook for national funders working in rural community advancement, and (3) position Heron, not as a traditional grantmaking private foundation, but as a resourceful, experienced, and well-regarded rural community advancement agency, poised to perform this important work effectively well into the future. Heron will:

• Provide our community partners with extensive data and research, technical assistance, communications support, and networking opportunities.
• Share its growing knowledge broadly to help increase capital flow to the direct control of rural communities.
• Invest significant financial capital into local organizations leading community-driven projects and initiatives to advance the vitality and well-being of their community.

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About the Job

Heron is seeking a Director of Community Partnerships to support the execution of its work to advance prosperous, vibrant communities. The Director of Community Partnerships will support implementation as the organization delivers on its ambitious aspirations for growing collective agency and building stronger, more resilient communities that have been long underserved by institutions and current systems.

The Director of Community Partnerships will play a key role in developing and implementing Heron’s core program, which focuses on identifying and engaging a cohort of “Community Capitals Partners” (CCPs) to form a collaborative national network. CCPs are well-established community-based organizations that have built local trust and work to advance the vitality and well-being of their community. This network will work to enhance capacity and promote prosperity in communities across the country. The Director will collaborate closely with the Senior Director to identify and onboard CCPs and will then support these partners in building community capacity and fostering collective agency. The ideal candidate will be a team player with experience in community engagement and development, particularly in rural and underserved regions. Excellent communication skills and a strong commitment to community transformation in disadvantaged areas are essential.

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Key Responsibilities:

Support the design and creation of a generative and collaborative Community Capitals Partner (CCP) Network across the country.

• Support the identification of prospective communities and CCPs.Collaborate with Heron research staff and work with external partners to identify and evaluate prospective communities. Working with the CCP Network team, vet candidate communities and make CCP recommendations to the Heron Board of Directors.
• Design and Coordinate Network Convenings.With the Senior Director, design a curriculum of relevant training and learnings for CCP Network virtual convenings. Identify expert presenters and facilitate internal trainings and peer networking.
• Support the design and facilitation of an annual CCP convening, an in person event to bring all CCPs and supporting partners together each year for a multi-day summit to deepen relationships and collaborate, hear from outside experts on timely and relevant topics, and generally advance the practice of community building.
• Foster collaboration. Maintain regular communications with and among all CCPs, expert advisors, technical assistance, and supporting partners. This includes a collaborative website, reports sharing, and a monthly newsletter.

Support the creation and delivery of a robust suite of services for CCPs to foster strong, healthy, and resilient communities.

• Help support CCPs ongoing development to deploy resources in their communities.Identify priority areas for helping CCPs address and overcome operating challenges – from systems, staff and balance sheet development to communications, grant underwriting, financial management and control, reporting, and, very importantly, community engagement – and deploy these supports as needed.
• Provide technical assistance and support to CCPs in engaging with Heron’s data frameworks and reports, track and monitor capital deployments, and ensure internal records are up to date.

Assist CCPs in building collective community agency.

• Support the development of a menu of effective strategies for community engagement. With the Senior Director, develop, curate, and lead trainings for convening and executing community conversations, engagement, and organizing.
• Support CCP prioritization and deployments. Working closely with CCPs, help them develop plans for how community voice will inform and help set its deployment decisions. Help CCPs execute their plan.

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Desired Skills and Experience

• 5-7 years of experience and proven ability in community organizing, engagement, and/or facilitation.
• Strong passion for and commitment to the mission and values of Heron.
• Familiarity with community engagement and participatory decision-making practices and strategies.
• Deep understanding of the challenges faced by organizations serving marginalized communities.
• Experience designing and facilitating workshops and training sessions.
• Background in nonprofit, government, organizational development, movement-building, and/or capacity building.
• Experience distributing resources and making grants to community groups and organizations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge in areas such as community planning and development, project management, public service, movement building, nonprofit management, and other related fields.
• Respect for diverse perspectives and the ability to navigate and balance conflicting ideas.
• Commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable discussions and decision-making.
• An understanding of the unique role of facilitator and supporter as opposed to expert and leader – ability to nurture supportive and trusting relationships in support of the success of others.
• Flexibility and comfort in navigating ambiguity and changing situations.

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Position Salary and Benefits

Salary range $131,000-$155,000 based on skills and experience. Heron offers an attractive benefits package. While the position is remote, the Director of Community Partnerships will be required to travel to our partners’ communities as well as to Heron’s future offices located in the NY/NJ area and Birmingham, AL on a fairly regular basis. This position is expected to travel up to 30% of the time. Preference will be given to candidates local to Birmingham, AL.

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To Apply

Interested candidate should provide a cover letter and resume. Please submit materials by August 22, 2025.