General Manager, Orange County ABC Control Board

Orange County ABC Control Board

Durham, NC

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JOB DETAILS

SALARY

$110,000–$130,000 Per Year

SKILLS

Accounting, Administrative Management, Administrative Skills, Auditing, Best Practices, Beverages, Budget Management, Budgeting, Business Administration, Communication Skills, Construction, Customer Experience, Customer Relations, Customer Support/Service, Driver's License, Employee Benefits, Employee Relations, Employee Retention, Financial Analysis, Financial Management, Financial Operations, Financial Services, Government, Government Organizations, Grant Administration/Management, Green Construction, Healthcare, Human Resources, Human Resources Management, Inventory Management, Law Enforcement, Leadership, Lease Negotiation, Legal, Marketing, Merchandising, Operational Improvement, Operational Strategy, Operational Support, Operations, Operations Management, Organizational Culture, Organizational Development/Management, People Management, Performance Analysis, Problem Solving Skills, Procurement Management, Product Testing, Property Management, Public Administration, Public Finance, Recreation, Regulations, Retail, Retail Management, Retail Operations, Retail Sales, Revenue Growth, Risk Management, Safety Process, Sales, Secondary School, Security Protocols, Service Delivery, State Laws and Regulations, Stewardship, Strategic Analysis, Strategic Planning, Sustainability, Systems Administration/Management, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Warehousing, Willing to Travel, WorldView

LOCATION

Durham, NC

POSTED

1 day ago

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Hillsborough, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-25
Employer: Orange County ABC Control Board
Opening Date: 06/24/2026
Closing Date: 7/24/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

About Us
Applicants should apply by July 24, 2026

Orange County, NC, widely recognized for its world-class academics, diverse and dynamic industries, and rural recreation, seeks a collaborativeand service-driven leader to serve as the next General Manager of the Orange County ABC Control Board. The Board desires a General Manager with considerable retail, bar/hospitality management experience who will:

Enthusiastically establish and maintainan organizational culture of trust, high employee morale, and accountability; cultivate unity across the organization's Board, its warehouse, stores, and administrative functions while successfully balancing operational and clientele needs.
Actively foster open communication and meaningful engagement across the organization, building cohesive relationships with staff, customers, Board members, and the diverse communities Orange County ABC serves.
Strategically support operational efficiency through budget evaluation and management, strengthen internal operations, utilize best-practices in increasing sales, and work to proactively ensure the organization's long-term sustainability in a changing retail and regulatory environment.
Positively reflect the mission, reputation and values of the Orange County ABC Control Board in day-to-day responsibilities, serving as a highly visible leader who demonstrates integrity, professionalism, accountability, and ethical judgment while building credibility with employees, customers, Board members, and community stakeholders.

The successful candidate is a demonstrated people-focused leader - well respected by employees and stakeholders and known for active-listening, expressing empathy, and being approachable, and empathetic. The next General Manager has significant product knowledge and understanding of mixed beverage operations, NC ABC legislative environment and constraints, risk management best practices, trends within the alcohol industry, and is an effective problem-solver who is flexible and adaptable under pressure.
This is not simply an operational management role-it is an opportunity to shape the future of a respected public enterprise and unite stakeholders around the Orange County ABC's mission of responsibly controlling the sale of spirituous liquor, returning profits to law enforcement, alcohol education, and the Orange County General Fund while providing excellent service in customer friendly, modern, and efficient stores.
About the Community:

Nestled in the beautiful Piedmont region of North Carolina between Research Triangle Park and the Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point), Orange County offers an unparalleled quality of life that blends rich historical heritage with a progressive, forward-thinking spirit. Orange County is a thriving community, home to over 140,000 residents.
Orange County features 4 municipalities: historic Hillsborough, the county seat; Chapel Hill, home of the University of North Carolina (the oldest state-supported university in the United States); the bustling commercial corridors of Carrboro, and parts of Mebane, a former railroad and mill town. This thriving community balances an energetic urban vibe with scenic, peaceful farmland to the north. Orange County provides rolling hills and lush green countryside - a rural, down-home feel that blends seamlessly with a cosmopolitan worldview.
The market in Orange County is driven by top-tier education, advanced healthcare, and a strong local business and agricultural sector. UNC-Chapel Hill is the flagship campus of a 16-member state university system and is consistently rated as one of the country's finest state institutions of higher learning. The neighboring North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is the chosen higher education institution for nearly 9,000 students and holds many national and regional accolades including its School of Law named No. 1 among the nation's Most Innovative Law Schools.
Orange County is strategically positioned along the Eastern seaboard with major metro areas like DC and New York just a quick flight or few hours' drive away. Interstates I-40 and I-85 crisscross the region, facilitating quick and efficient travel in all directions and providing quick proximity to major universities, world-class healthcare, the Blue Ridge mountains, and Atlantic beaches.
Duties/Responsibilities
About Orange County Government:

Orange County government is a highly collaborative and forward-thinking organization, governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners. The commissioners are elected to four-year terms by district and at-large in partisan elections. The County's mission is to serve as a visionary leader in providing governmental services valued by its community, beyond those required by law, in an equitable, sustainable, innovative, and efficient way.The County's FY 25-26 budget of $435M ($312M General Fund) supports its nearly 1,200 FTEs across 27 departments.
Orange County's Strategic Plan, adopted in 2024, rallies community leaders and members to ensure Environmental Protection and Climate Action, Healthy Community, Housing for All, Multi-modal Transportation, Public Education/Learning Community, and a Diverse and Vibrant EconomyThe county's vision-a community known as diverse, inclusive, and healthy, working together to strengthen the community and enhance the quality of life for all residents-is evidenced through the progress and development of this strategic plan.
About the ABC Board and Position:

The Orange County ABC Board is an independent local governmental entity responsible for the retail sale of distilled spirits throughout Orange County. Governed by a five-member Board of Directors, the organization operates nine retail stores and one warehouse serving the communities of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Mebane, and Durham. Guided by a mission to responsibly serve the community through controlled alcohol sales, exceptional customer service, and sound financial stewardship, Orange County ABC returns profits to support local law enforcement, alcohol education programs, and the County's General Fund.

Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the General Manager is responsible for the overall administration and management of Orange County ABC's operations, including retail sales, warehouse operations, financial management, inventory control, and strategic planning. The General Manager leads a team of 37 full-time and 18 part-time employees and oversees the organization's $30M budget. View the organization's recent performance audit report As the Board works to address budget shortfalls due to declining sales throughout the industry and legislative challenges, the next General Manager will play a key role in strengthening the organization's financial position. Evaluating and recommending changes to reduce organizational expenses while maintaining a skilled and valued workforce will be necessary for this position.

Orange County's next ABC General Manager will ensure that the organization's human resources, training, security, and safety protocols, processes and procedures align with state laws and regulations and best support the organization and its employees. Skilled in human resources management, the General Manager creatively and strategically recruits and retains employees in a competitive job market. The Orange County ABC General Manager is also tasked with lease management for the organization's stores including but not limited to lease negotiation and administration, property management, renovations and new construction. This customer-service minded professional consistently demonstrates fairness and equity across diverse people groups - from customers, to staff, Board and other stakeholders.
Key Position Priorities:

Invest in learning the organization, understanding existing operations, and gaining employee buy-in before implementing significant operational or cultural changes, recognizing that lasting improvements are achieved through collaboration, engagement, and shared ownership.
Maintain a visible presence throughout the warehouse and stores, allocate considerable time getting to know employees, build relationships across the organization, enhance communication across the various sectors of the organization and ensure staff feel supported, safe, valued, and connected to leadership.
Evaluate product selection, inventory practices, and merchandising strategies to ensure stores are well-stocked, customer demands are met, and inventory is effectively managed and moved when products are not selling.
Improve operational efficiency, and safety protocols and procedures by implementing best practices in delivering service, strengthening coordination and unity across the organization, and ensuring the organization adhere to state and local safety laws and regulations.
Address technology and vendor-related challenges affecting inventory management and daily operations by implementing reliable and user-friendly systems.

Qualifications
Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Retail Management, Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a closely related field is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience may be considered.
Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in retail, bar/hospitality management, business administration, operations management, or a similarly complex customer-focused environment, including experience supervising and developing staff.
Knowledge of the North Carolina ABC System, alcoholic beverage laws and regulations, mixed beverage operations, or experience working in a highly regulated industry is strongly preferred.
Must possess or have the ability to obtain and maintain a valid North Carolina Driver's License.
Must successfully pass all required pre-employment screenings, including a comprehensive background investigation.

The Successful Candidate:

acts as an agent of the Board, understands the respective roles of the Board and General Manager and effectively partners with Board members by providing transparent communication, logical recommendations, and professional leadership while maintaining accountability for organizational operations and performance;
possesses financial and operational management experience, including budget administration, inventory management, product selection, and the responsible stewardship of organizational resources;
communicates openly, honestly, and effectively, maintaining an authentic open-door policy, actively listening to diverse perspectives, and building sustainable relationships across all levels of the organization;
is a collaborative team builder who can unite diverse groups around common goals, encourage professional growth, and cultivate a culture of engagement and shared ownership;
values exceptional customer service and understands the importance of creating positive customer experiences through responsive, professional, and customer-focused operations;
demonstrates flexibility, strategic judgment, and analytical problem-solving skills while effectively addressing organizational challenges and operational issues; and,
understands the importance of reliable technology and operational systems, is tech-savvy, and can work effectively with vendors and staff to improve efficiency, inventory management, and day-to-day operations.

Additional Information
Salary and Benefits: The salary range for this position is $110,000 - $130,000. Starting salary is dependent on experience and qualifications. Orange County provides a comprehensive benefits package including 100% employer paid health, dental, and life insurance, biannual leave time accrual, sick leave, 11 paid Holidays, participation in the N.C. Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System, supplemental retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, longevity pay and more. View more about Orange County's employee benefits . Residency in Orange County is not required for this position; however it is strongly preferred given daily commute to the organization's administrative office, stores and warehouse.
To apply, please visit and click on the Orange County ABC Control Board - General Manager title.

? All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (link above) - NOT the organization's employment application portal or any other external website.

? Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application.

? Applicants should apply by July 24, 2026.

? The hiring team will invite successful semi-finalists to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluations on August 18-19, 2026. Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate.

? Interviews with the hiring team will follow at a subsequent time.

? Direct inquiries to hiring@developmentalassociates.com.

Orange County ABC Control Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The recruitment and selection process is being managed by Developmental Associates, LLC. To learn more about our selection process, visit and scroll down to "Important Information for Applicants."
Benefits are specific to the employing organization. Please refer to the benefits information that is in the ad as well as in the recruitment brochure. If you need further information, please contact the employer associated with the position
01

CONFIDENTIALITY DISCLOSURE AND APPLICATION COMPLETION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Developmental Associates works on behalf of this client to recruit and collect information on candidates for this position. All applicant materials will be shared with the employer and their employees who are involved in the hiring process for this position. This application process uses a combination of automated and hand scoring of all application materials against screening criteria that have been established by the employer. 1) By submitting this application, I am consenting to have my application materials shared with this employer. 2) I understand that if I have not completely and fully answered all application questions and/ or supplemental questions with details, my application may not be able accurately evaluated. 3) Further, I understand that merely referring to my resume (e.g. "see resume" in lieu of providing detailed responses) is not sufficient for purposes of ensuring accurate application evaluation.

02

The minimum preferred degree for this position is a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, Public Administration, Finance, Accounting or other related field. What is your highest degree?

High School or GED
Some College, No Degree
Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Some Graduate School, No Degree
MPA, MBA or other related graduate degree

03

If you listed "other degree", please list what degree and in what field if not clear.
04

What professional certifications do you hold, if any?
05

This position requires five (5) or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in retail, bar/hospitality management, business administration, operations management, or a similarly complex customer-focused environment, including experience supervising and developing staff. How many years of experience do you have in these fields?

I have no experience with retail management
1-2 years
3-4 years
5 or more years

06

This position prefers Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) management experience. How many years of experience do you have in retail management?

I have no experience in ABC management
1-2.9 years
3-4.9 years
5 or more years

07

What is the largest budget amount you have directly managed?

No direct budget management experience
Less than $5M
$5.1 - 10M
$10.1 - $15M
$15.1 - 20M
$20.1 - $25M
$25.1 - $30M
Greater than $30M

08

What level of budget management experience do you have?

No budget management experience
Followed a budget developed by others
Managed a unit budget
Responsible for and developed an entire department budget
Responsible for coordinating and final development of an organizational budget

09

What is the total number of employees in the largest organization in which you have been serving at management level or higher?

I have not served as a manager.
Less than 10
10-24
25-49
50 or more

10

What is the largest number of employees for whom you have had supervisory responsibility (direct reports or down line supervision)? (Note: Down line supervision refers to employees who are supervised by your direct reports or by subordinates of your direct reports).

I've never supervised any employees.
Less than 10
10-24
25-49
50 or more

11

In which of the following areas would your references say you are proficient. NOTE: proficient means that you have personally implemented or have great depth of knowledge in the identified area. (Select as many as apply)

Alcohol Abuse Education and Prevention
Board Relations
Alcohol Acquisition and Sales
Lease negotiation, administration and management
Alcoholic beverage laws and regulations
North Carolina ABC system
Mixed beverage operations
Grant Procurement and Management
Marketing
Planning
Revenue Development
Strategic Planning
Technology for Retail (POS, Inventory, etc)
Inventory
Other

12

If you said other above, please list:
13

I understand that the salary range for this position is $110,000 - $130,000. Starting salary is dependent on experience and qualifications.

14

The Orange County ABC Control Board uses a multi-step screening and evaluation process including a virtual skills evaluation process for selecting executives. The dates for this process are August 18-19, 2026, which includes participation in 3-4 hours of engagement across two days, not including preparation time. Please hold these dates should you be invited to this stage. This is a confidential process. While these are not public meetings, there will be substantial interaction with other professionals in the field who will serve as assessors. Further, we have all assessors and participants sign letters of confidentiality. NC Law does not require the announcement of applicants until a finalist is selected. Indicating "yes" below represents your understanding of these elements of the process.

Required Question

General Manager, Orange County ABC Control Board

Orange County ABC Control Board

Durham, NC

About the Company

Orange County ABC Control Board

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