Council Description
With more than nine decades of progressive activism, the North Carolina Council of Churches remains the leading faith voice for justice advocacy in North Carolina. We are particularly concerned about issues related to racial equity, care of creation, health care, immigration, voting rights and helping congregations become healthier places, physically, mentally, and spiritually. The Council embraces ethnic, racial, gender, and sexual diversity. The Council has 10 fulltime employees and an annual budget of approximately $1 million.
Our organization is committed to equity and inclusion. People of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The Council is an equal opportunity employer. The Council does not discriminate on the basis of person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, ethnic background, citizenship status, age, disability or genetic information.
Primary Job Responsibilities
The Executive Director of the North Carolina Council of Churches is responsible for managing the statewide organization on behalf of the Governing Board.
Internally, this includes:
- Plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate the grant funded programs and the priority areas of the Council to insure that each fulfills its mission.
- Lead and supervise staff, including recruiting, developing and motivating employees.
- Fundraising and development in cooperation with the Governing Board and its Resource Development Committee.
- Oversee outreach and networking to expand the impact of the Council.
Externally, this includes:
- Represent the Council at the denominational and congregational level, working closely with denominational leadership.
- Interface with elected officials or their staff on policy matters that reflect the Council’s work toward a just and equitable society.
- Work with, and sometimes lead, coalitions formed to accomplish the policy and priorities of the Council.
- Serve as the face and voice of the Council for public events, media interviews, legislative advocacy, etc.
Specific work will include:
Advocacy
- Be a prophetic voice framing the connection between scripture and theology and the policy issues that bracket our lives. This is accomplished by raising awareness within congregations and denominations, coupled with legislative advocacy of Council positions.
- Develop partnerships with other agencies and local organizations to support Council activities and expand the reach of the Council.
- Initiate and maintain relationships with denominational leaders and member congregations.
- Provide leadership in organizing, implementing, or hosting public events.
Administrative
- Coordinate and supervise the paid and volunteer staff in the program and priority areas of the Council, such as Partners in Health and Wholeness, immigration reform, criminal justice reform, democracy rights, etc.
- Plan Governing Board meetings in cooperation with the Executive Committee of the Governing Board; provide staff support for the Governing Board; update the Board about the overall Council program on a regular basis.
- Assign or serve as staff to the Board General Committees: Personnel, Business and Finance, Planning, and Resource Development.
Financial/Fundraising
- Work with the Business and Finance Committee to prepare annual organizational budget for Governing Board approval.
- Oversee accounting records and financial reports; and monitor receipts, expenditures, and cash flow.
- Work with the Resource Development Committee and full Governing Board to raise funds for the support of the Council.
- Write grants or oversee grant writing process for programs and projects related to the Council’s purposes.
QUALIFICATIONS
Preferred attributes include:
- 4-year college degree and post graduate theological degree.
- Ordination in a denominational member of the Council.
- Commitment to Christian unity and social justice advocacy.
- Excellent public speaking skills with the ability to articulate the connection between scripture and theology to justice related legislative advocacy.
- Understanding of, commitment to, and enthusiasm for the programs and program areas of the Council.
- Knowledge of denominational polities, congregational engagement, and ecumenical structures.
- At least 5-10 years’ experience working in a faith-based advocacy position, paid or unpaid.
- Proven ability to manage a non-profit.
- Strong leadership and networking skills.
- Strong organizational, managerial, problem solving, and analytical skills.
- Fundraising/development skills and experience.
- Basic computer skills.
- Ability to multi-task, work under deadlines, and manage stress satisfactorily.
- Must live in the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area) or be willing to relocate.
Hours: Full-time, based in Raleigh and requiring in-state travel.
Reports to: Governing Board.
Salary range: $ 75,000-100,000 depending on experience and qualifications.
Benefits: The Council offers inspired, mission-driven co-workers, as well as paid time off, paid maternity/paternity leave, paid sick leave, twelve holidays, free parking, retirement plan contribution and match, Health Savings Account (100% paid by employer), short-term disability (100% paid by employer), monthly technology stipend ($100), and reimbursement of approved travel expenses.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send your complete application package to jobs@ncchurches.org by May 31, 2026. A complete package includes a cover letter, resume or curricula vitae, a video response and written responses to the application questions.
- Your video response, not to exceed three minutes, should be uploaded to Vimeo at vimeo.com.
- A shortened link to your shared video should be included in your cover letter. In your video, tell us about the origins and foundations of your vision for ecumenical ministry.
- Please provide written responses, in two hundred words or less per question, to each of the following:
- Tell us about the evolution of your faith journey as it relates to your experience in a Christian faith community.
- What changes do you see in the religious landscape, and how would that impact your work as the Executive Director of the Council?
- How do you understand the relationship between faith and social justice
For more information about the Executive Director position, please email jobs@ncchurches.org. Questions are welcome. For more information about the North Carolina Council of Churches, please visit www.ncchurches.org.