Assistant Executive Director

Western Piedmont Council of Governments
Published
January 13, 2025
Location
1880 2nd Ave NW, Hickory, NC - North Carolina
Category
Billing Address
PO Box 9026 Hickory, NC 28603
First Name
Tasmin
Last Name
Mack
Phone Number
8284854275
County
Catawba
Closing Date
02/15/2025

Description

The Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) is currently seeking energetic, self-motivated, and detail-oriented candidates for the position of Assistant Executive Director (AED). The WPCOG is an innovative and forward-thinking organization dedicated to addressing planning issues for the region. Situated in the beautiful rolling hills and mountains of western North Carolina, WPCOG is a regional governmental agency owned by the 28 local governments in the region and organized in 1968 to provide long-range planning, technical assistance, and regional delivery of services. Our organization is one of 16 regional councils in North Carolina formed under NC General Statutes 160A 470-478. Local governments eligible for WPCOG membership include Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties located in Western NC and the 24 cities and towns within those counties.

The WPCOG is organized into seven departments including: Administration; Area Agency on Aging; Finance; Community and Economic Development; Community and Regional Planning; Regional Housing Authority; and Workforce Development. The WPCOG has grown tremendously in recent years by offering a range of new services. As a result, the WPCOG team has grown by over 50% to 75 professionals. See our annual report for information about the many ways the WPCOG serves the region as one of the most comprehensive COGs in the nation.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The AED is responsible for the planning, organizing, and supervision of several departments and functions of the organization. The AED will oversee the administrative functions that include the communications manager, information technology/facilities manager, and human resources manager plus several departments. The assignment of departments will be based on the AED’s interest and areas of expertise. The AED will direct and supervise the development of strategic and short and long-term work plans. This employee will act as a representative at meetings and functions as well as serving as the interim executive director in his absence. 

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

  • Strong interpersonal skills to work with the public, local officials, regional partners, and WPCOG staff.
  • Significant experience as a manager, assistant manager, or department head at a local government, COG, or relevant organization.
  • Ability to lead strategic projects important to the region and organization.
  • Ability to develop and lead department heads and supervisors.
  • Demonstrated capability to develop and manage relationships with local government leaders.
  • Strong budgeting ability and understanding with complex organizations.
  • Willingness to lead executive searches for local governments along with the HR manager and executive director.
  • An inclination to develop new services and programs to serve our region and its local governments

Salary

The hiring rate for this position is $150,000 - $174,438. New hires are eligible for up to a 5% increase with the successful completion of a probationary period.

Qualifications

  • Graduation from an accredited four-year university or college with a Master’s degree in public, business administration, urban and regional planning or related field.
  • Significant professional experience in the public sector and considerable experience in supervisory and administrative experience over staff.
  • Knowledge of local government and public sector administration including city and county management and planning administration.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community groups, federal, state, and regional, municipal and county officials and staff, as well as with the general public.
  • An equivalent amount of education and experience may be considered. 

Miscellaneous

BENEFITS:

  • We offer 13 hours of remote work per week (after the probationary period has ended).
  • WPCOG is a member of the North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System. This entitles vested employees with at least five years of employment to a defined benefit at the time of retirement. Members contribute 6% of gross compensation each month. This is a before-tax deduction. Western Piedmont Council of Governments contributes an actuarially determined percentage of the gross payroll of members each month.
  • The Western Piedmont Council of Governments will contribute 5.2% of each employee’s salary and match 4%, for a possible total of 9.2%, to either the NC 401k or the NC 457.
  • WPCOG pays 100% of an employee's health and vision coverage. The current plan is a high deductible health plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Contributions to the HSA are made pre-tax through payroll deduction
  • WPCOG pays 100% of the following premiums:
    • Life Insurance - $100,000
    • Accidental Death & Dismemberment
    • Dental Insurance - Employee and Family
    • Short-Term Disability (Weekly Indemnity)
    • Long-Term Disability
  • WPCOG provides for the following paid leave options:
    • 12 Paid Holidays Per Year
    • Annual Leave earned on a sliding scale based on years of service.
    • 12 Sick Leave Days Per Year
    • Longevity Payment