Director of Leadership (Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research)

Anticipated Hiring Range: Commensurate with education and experience ($110,000 - $130,000)

Work Schedule: Core Business Hours: Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; additional hours may be necessary based on the business needs.

Job Location: Raleigh NC

Department: Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research

About the Department

About the NC State College of Education

As one of the nation's top-ranked public colleges of education, NC State's College of Education leads the way in North Carolina in preparing extraordinary educators, conducting transformational research, and engaging communities where they are to improve the educational outcomes of all learners and advance the greater good. The college's faculty are widely-recognized thought-leaders who use their research to transform the practice of teaching, learning, and leading. They have particular strengths in improving technology-enhanced learning and teaching; fostering community-based learning and PK-16 partnerships; and innovating leadership and workforce development, educational policy, and evaluation. About two-thirds of the faculty are grant active. They are engaged in over 200 active projects totaling more than $125 million, making them the most productive in terms of research activity compared with other colleges of education in North Carolina and among the Top 5% in the nation. In FY23, the college's research expenditures exceeded $14 million.

The college has over 1,600 students studying across five graduate certificates, seven undergraduate majors, two undergraduate minors, 13 master's degrees, three Ph.D., and two Ed.D. programs housed in three academic departments: Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education; and Teacher Education and Learning Sciences, with approximately 130 tenure-track and professional-track faculty, 110 support and professional staff, and about 160 graduate and teaching assistants. The College of Education is also home to the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research and the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation.

The college has over 18000 living alumni, with over 6,000 working in public schools in North Carolina. Those who are teachers rate the highest in effectiveness on surveys of school employers in North Carolina.

NC State promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world. NC State's land grant mission of teaching, research and service is dedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people. Applicants are encouraged to review the institution's mission, vision and strategic plan, and consider how their background, interest and experience would enable them to support the university.

About the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research

The Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research develops and sustains exceptional community college leaders who are committed to advancing equitable college access and student success, the social and economic mobility of their colleges' students, and the economic competitiveness of their regions. The Center provides professional development and research related to current and emerging student success opportunities and challenges facing community college leaders and policymakers in North Carolina and the nation.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties:

The Director of Leadership provides strategic leadership and oversight within the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research. Reporting directly to the Executive Director and serving as a member of the Belk Center leadership team, this position leads the development, implementation, and management of high-impact leadership development programs, executive learning initiatives, and statewide partnerships that support North Carolina's community college system. The Director serves as the primary liaison to key partner organizations, including the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents (NCACCP), North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), grant partners, and other external constituents.

In this role, you will help shape the future of leadership across North Carolina's community college system. Working at the intersection of leadership development, applied research, and statewide collaboration, you will influence how leaders are prepared to meet the evolving needs of their institutions, students, and communities. Your work will extend the Belk Center's reach and strengthen its role as a trusted partner and recognized leader in community college leadership and student success.

Key Responsibilities fall within the following functional areas:

Statewide Leadership and Systems Advancement:

• Advance statewide and national partnerships and initiatives that strengthen community college leadership and institutional impact.
• Lead the Teaching and Learning portfolio, supporting Teaching and Learning Hubs serving more than 15,000 faculty across North Carolina.
• Convene statewide and national engagements that elevate promising practices and inform continuous improvement.
• Partner with research and evaluation colleagues to assess impact and translate findings into actionable strategies.

Leadership Development and Program Innovation:

• Provide strategic leadership for executive leadership programs, curriculum, and learning experiences grounded in evidence and responsive to the evolving needs of the sector.
• Provide executive leadership for the North Carolina Community College Leadership Program, building on its 35-year legacy of developing community college leaders.
• Advance scalable approaches to leadership development informed by emerging trends, research, adult learning, and evolving leadership competencies.

Strategic Partnerships and Organizational Leadership:

• Build high-level partnerships with NCACCP, NCCCS, grant partners, and other collaborators to advance mission-critical priorities.
• Represent the Belk Center through signature events, publications, and external engagements that expand its visibility and influence.
• Lead and develop staff, consultants, and affiliates while aligning research, programming, partnerships, resources, and strategic priorities.
• Use program outcomes and emerging statewide needs to inform strategic planning, resource allocation, and the continued evolution of the Belk Center.

If you are a collaborative leader who understands the unique role of community colleges, brings a passion for developing leaders and advancing the field, and thrives at the intersection of strategy, innovation, and statewide partnership, we encourage you to apply.

Other Responsibilities:

Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or Dean of the College of Education in support of the mission, strategic priorities, and operational needs of the Belk Center.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Master's degree in education, higher education, public policy, leadership, organizational development, or a closely related field. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Other Required Qualifications:

• Ten or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in higher education, leadership development, organizational strategy, workforce development, or a related field, including leadership of complex initiatives, strategic partnership development, executive-level stakeholder engagement, and oversight of large-scale programs, operations, or organizational priorities.
• Advanced expertise in leadership development principles and practices, demonstrated through the ability to shape strategy, design and lead executive-level programs and learning experiences, evaluate impact, and evolve approaches in response to evidence, emerging needs, and changing organizational contexts.
• Proven success cultivating and sustaining strategic partnerships with senior leaders and external organizations to advance shared priorities and achieve organizational or system-level outcomes.
• Skill in communicating complex ideas and strategies to executive and diverse stakeholder audiences through written communications, presentations, and facilitated discussions.
• Leadership of professional staff, complex portfolios, and multifaceted initiatives, including aligning people, resources, and operations with strategic priorities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with the national community college landscape, including organizations, initiatives, and emerging practices that advance student success, institutional transformation, and leadership development, such as Achieving the Dream and the Aspen Institute.
• Understanding of the North Carolina Community College System, including its structure, statewide priorities and initiatives, and partnerships supporting workforce development, student achievement, and institutional innovation.

Required License(s) or Certification(s):

N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required: Yes

Commercial Driver's License required: No

Job Open Date: 09/08/2026

Anticipated Close Date: 10/05/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for at least three professional references.

Position Number: 00108444

Position Type: EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week): 1.00 FTE

Appointment: 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather: Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events: Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID: 134001 - Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research

EEO:

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.