Executive Director
North Carolina Dairy Producers Association (NCDPA)
Status: Contractual position
Location: Remote within North Carolina; travel required for meetings, events, and industry engagement
Reports To: NCDPA Board of Directors
Position Summary
NCDPA seeks a motivated, organized, and relationship-oriented professional to serve as its Executive Director. The Executive Director provides leadership and day-to-day management of the association, supporting dairy producers across North Carolina while advancing the organization's mission, strategic priorities, and industry partnerships.
Working closely with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the primary point of contact for members, industry partners, government agencies, and allied organizations. This individual is responsible for association administration, membership engagement, financial oversight, event coordination, communications, and stakeholder relations.
The ideal candidate has a passion for supporting agriculture and rural communities and is a self-starter with strong organizational, communication, and financial management skills. As a newly established position within NCDPA, the Executive Director role offers a unique opportunity to help build and shape the future of the Association. The successful candidate will bring vision and initiative, recognizing that the role will continue to evolve as the needs of NCDPA and NC’s dairy industry evolve. This individual will have the opportunity to help define the role, develop new approaches to serving producers, and play a meaningful part in shaping the direction and growth of NC’s dairy industry for years to come.
Primary Responsibilities
Membership Engagement and Producer Services
Serve as the primary contact for dairy producers and NCDPA members.
Cultivate relationships with producer members to understand the needs of the industry and individual farms.
Develop and implement strategies to strengthen membership recruitment, retention, and engagement.
Identify funding resources and opportunities that support dairy farm profitability and sustainability, including grants, cost-share programs, and public-private partnerships.
Oversee member communications, newsletters, website content, and social media activities.
Association Operations
Manage the association's daily operations, records, membership database, and administrative systems.
Facilitate Board and committee meetings; implement policies and priorities established by the Board.
Coordinate activities with contractors and consultants engaged by NCDPA.
Perform financial duties including budgeting, invoicing, dues collection, and expense processing.
Prepare financial reports for the Board and coordinate with accounting professionals.
Industry Relations and Events
Represent NCDPA with key industry organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, and agricultural partners.
Build and maintain productive relationships with dairy cooperatives, processors, national and regional dairy industry groups, and other stakeholders.
Identify and cultivate sponsorship, partnership, and fundraising opportunities that advance NCDPA's mission and programs.
Execute association meetings, workshops, field days, educational programs, and the annual meeting.
Government and Regulatory Affairs
Coordinate with association's contract lobbyist to provide updates to the Board and membership.
Support meetings and communication with policymakers and regulatory agencies.
Assist with advocacy efforts that promote a positive business environment for the industry.
Qualifications
Required
Experience in nonprofit/association operations, business administration, or related field.
Demonstrated knowledge of agriculture.
Ability and willingness to travel primary throughout North Carolina as needed.
Preferred
Knowledge of North Carolina's dairy industry or broader livestock sector.
Experience working with a nonprofit board of directors.
Experience in membership organizations, advocacy, fundraising, or stakeholder engagement.
Compensation and Schedule
Contractual position with compensation commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Flexible schedule with some evening and occasional weekend commitments.
Remote position within North Carolina.
Application Process
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to info@ncdairy.org by November 1, 2026.
About NCDPA
The North Carolina Dairy Producers Association (NCDPA) is the unified voice for the state’s dairy industry, representing the interests of dairy farms and businesses on issues affecting the industry and working to ensure the continued presence of profitable and viable dairy farms in North Carolina. NCDPA advocates for, promotes, and supports the development, maintenance, and enhancement of dairy farms and the dairy industry and supports educational activities and public relations efforts that promote the consumption of milk and dairy products from dairy cows.