Community Network Builder

Community Network Builder

The Institute for Engagement & Negotiation (IEN) at the University of Virginia seeks a motivated and collaborative Community Network Builder to strengthen regional economic opportunity in Virginia's Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. This position is funded by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund to support Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula communities becoming more competitive and coordinated in securing state and federal resources for their long-term resilience. This position will engage localities, non-profits, businesses, and thought leaders in the region to identify overlapping priorities and surface cross-jurisdictional opportunities, ultimately resulting in the selection of one to two key economic opportunity areas for targeted collaboration, specifically core infrastructure investments such as housing and workforce development. The Community Network Builder will help the region prioritize solutions that are : 1) responsive to the lived realities of rural families, 2) capable of application across different regional financial ecosystems, and 3) capable of leveraging state and federal resources for sustainable impact.

Position Responsibilities

Research, Strategy, and Project Development

• Identify regional economic opportunity priorities and assess feasibility of collaborative initiatives.
• Conduct capital scans and feasibility studies to align local, philanthropic, and federal / state funding streams ("capital stacking").
• Design pilot projects in areas such as housing, workforce pipelines, and small business development.
• Develop prioritization frameworks and metrics for evaluating and scaling regional initiatives.
• Track project implementation and outcomes, producing quarterly learning memos and progress dashboards.

Community Engagement and Facilitation

Capacity and Resource Development

Knowledge and Skills

Rural Development

Strategic Resource Development

Data Collection, Analysis & Synthesis

Relationship & Coalition Building

Strategy - Planning & Implementation

Problem-Solving and Initiative

Minimum Requirements

Preferred Qualifications

Position Type & Work Location

Salary Range

The anticipated hiring range is $66,600-69,000 commensurate with education and experience.

About the Institute for Engagement & Negotiation

The Institute for Engagement & Negotiation (IEN) at the University of Virginia is a national leader in consensus building, collaborative governance, and community-based engagement. IEN helps communities, governments, and organizations tackle complex challenges through inclusive processes that strengthen resilience and equity.

About UVA and the Community

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.

Application Process

Application review will begin in late October 2025 and the anticipated start date is early December, 2025. Please apply online by searching for requisition number R0077171. Complete an application with the following materials :

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Reference Check Process

Reference checks will be completed by UVA's third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Contact

For additional information about the position, please contact Kelly Altizer, Associate Director for Operations (kim5f@virginia.edu). For questions about the application process, please contact Michele Jarman, Academic Recruiter.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs. The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.