Senior Manager, Network Engagement & Strategic Initiatives

Applicants: Please upload both your resume, cover letter and 3 professional references when applying.

Position Details

• Location: Austin, Texas (Hybrid-remote work available with commuting distance)
• Travel: Up to 25-50% statewide travel for conferences, site visits, meetings, and events
• Reports To: Executive Director
• Schedule: Full-time, exempt position with occasional evening or weekend responsibilities related to events and conferences

About TACAA

The Texas Association of Community Action Agencies, Inc. (TACAA) serves as the statewide convener, advocate, and capacity-building organization for Texas Community Action Agencies (CAAs). For more than 60 years, Community Action Agencies have worked at the forefront of the fight against poverty, serving all 254 Texas counties through programs that stabilize families, strengthen communities, and create pathways toward economic mobility.

TACAA supports this work through advocacy, training, technical assistance, strategic partnerships, and statewide collaboration. We work closely with local agencies, state and federal partners, national organizations, utilities, and community stakeholders to strengthen the Texas Community Action Network and expand opportunities for low-income Texans.

TACAA is a small but high-impact organization with a collaborative, mission-driven culture. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help shape statewide initiatives, strengthen network engagement, and contribute to innovative strategies that support families and communities across Texas.

Position Summary

TACAA is seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven leader to serve as Senior Manager, Network Engagement & Strategic Initiatives. This position plays a central role in advancing TACAA's mission by strengthening collaboration across Texas' statewide Community Action Network and building meaningful partnerships that expand opportunity for low-income Texans.

This role blends strategic engagement, statewide collaboration, member support, communications, training coordination, convening leadership, and program oversight. The ideal candidate is an exceptional connector and communicator who thrives in relationship-centered environments, understands the importance of coalition-building, and is passionate about strengthening Community Action Agencies and the communities they serve.

The Senior Manager will work closely with TACAA leadership, member agencies, committees, utilities, and external partners to foster engagement, support statewide initiatives, coordinate learning opportunities, oversee utility partnership programs, and amplify the voice of Community Action across Texas.

This position reports directly to the Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities

Network Strategy & Member Engagement

• Lead the development and implementation of TACAA's statewide network engagement strategy.
• Identify opportunities to increase member participation, peer learning, and cross-agency innovation.
• Support alignment between local agency priorities and TACAA's statewide advocacy, training, and capacity-building efforts.
• Serve as a trusted relationship manager and strategic connector for TACAA member agencies.

Partnerships & Collaborative Initiatives

• Cultivate relationships with nonprofit organizations, utilities, healthcare stakeholders, philanthropic organizations, government agencies, and other strategic partners.
• Represent TACAA in coalition meetings, statewide workgroups, conferences, and partner engagements.
• Assist in developing opportunities that expand resources, visibility, and impact for the Texas Community Action Network.

Program Oversight & Contract Management

• Oversee TACAA's administration and coordination of the Oncor Targeted Low-Income Weatherization (TLIW) Program and related utility partnership initiatives.
• Coordinate with Community Action Agencies, utility partners, and vendors to support successful program delivery and performance outcomes.
• Prepare program reports, performance updates, and required documentation for utility and partner stakeholders.

Learning, Convenings & Capacity Building

• Play a central role in planning and supporting TACAA's Annual Training Conference, regional meetings, and network events.
• Coordinate agendas, speakers, facilitation, and engagement strategies that create meaningful and results-driven member-learning experiences.
• Curate and share best practices, tools, and resources that strengthen member agencies and support organizational excellence.

Communications & Network Storytelling

• Translate complex initiatives and collaborative efforts into clear, accessible messaging for diverse audiences, including policymakers, partners, funders, and member agencies.
• Promote opportunities for member engagement and statewide collaboration, including collaborating on newsletters, presentations, social media content, and engagement campaigns.

Data, Insights & Organizational Support

• Track engagement trends, participation metrics, and member feedback to inform TACAA's strategic direction.
• Assist in identifying emerging needs, opportunities, and challenges across the Texas Community Action Network.
• Support organizational initiatives, strategic planning activities, and special projects.
• Contribute to overall strategic direction and day-to-day operations, embracing TACAA's collaborative "all hands on deck" culture and organizational operations.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, communications, nonprofit management, social sciences, public policy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, stakeholder engagement, membership associations, coalition-building, program management, or contract administration.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Experience managing projects, contracts, reporting requirements, or grant-funded initiatives.
• Experience planning and facilitating meetings, trainings, conferences, or collaborative initiatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment with a high degree of initiative and professionalism.
• Experience using Microsoft Office, Zoom/Teams, CRM systems, survey tools, and collaborative technology platforms.
• Commitment to TACAA's mission and the values of Community Action.

Preferred

• Knowledge of Community Action, anti-poverty programs, economic mobility initiatives, weatherization, utility assistance, or social service systems.
• Experience working with statewide associations, coalitions, or membership organizations.
• Experience engaging with utilities, state or federal agencies, healthcare organizations, or public-private partnerships.
• Familiarity with Texas's social service landscape and the challenges facing low-income communities.
• Experience coordinating virtual learning opportunities, webinars, or statewide convenings.
• Understanding of contract compliance, reporting structures, and performance management related to utility or grant-funded programs.

Desired Attributes

• Collaborative and relationship-oriented leader who enjoys connecting people, ideas, and opportunities.
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational awareness and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter who thrives in dynamic and evolving environments.
• Strong facilitator and communicator capable of building trust across diverse groups.
• Passionate about strengthening communities and advancing economic opportunity.
• Flexible, creative, and team-oriented with a positive and solutions-focused mindset.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.