Professional Partners Program

The North Carolina City and County Management Association and the UNC School of Government have established a Professional Partners Program to assist new managers. The program connects new managers with seasoned North Carolina managers, called Professional Partners, who are familiar with the workings and culture of local government in our state.

NCCCMA Professional Partners are city and county managers who

• have worked in a North Carolina city or county for at least three years and preferably longer
• are members of NCCCMA and preferably also ICMA
• have completed the School of Government Municipal and County Administration Course
• have a bachelor’s degree and preferably a master’s degree or equivalent in public administration or a related field
• have completed the Senior Partner orientation program
• have agreed to serve as a mentor to new managers

A new manager’s interactions with the Professional Partners will depend on the new manager’s interests and the Professional Partner’s availability. The Professional Partners Guide outlines general expectations for this mentoring relationship.

The last page of the Professional Partners Guide is an agreement form on which the new manager and professional partner can formalize their specific understanding about the relationship. Either party may terminate the partnership at any time by simply reducing communications to those that would be customary in normal business. A new manager may also request a new Professional Partner at any time.

To request a Professional Partner Mentor, click here.

The School of Government (SOG) will identify an appropriate Professional Partner and invite that Professional Partner to contact the new managers to establish the mentoring relationship. The SOG periodically surveys new managers and Professional Partners to evaluate the program and improve Professional Partners orientation.

To volunteer to serve as a Professional Partner Mentor, click here.