Building Economy Data-Driven, Strategic | FUSE Executive Fellowship

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How to Apply

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12 Jul 2026

Priority Final date to receive applications:
August 14, 2026.

The City of Centerton is working to translate rapid residential growth into a more vibrant, economically sustainable downtown by expanding local amenities, supporting small businesses, and guiding intentional commercial development. The FUSE Executive Fellow will help the City build a data-driven community and economic development strategy that aligns market intelligence, planning priorities, and community engagement to proactively attract and retain desired businesses.

This is a two-year fellowship, with Year One focused on discovery, strategy development, and early implementation, and Year Two focused on scaling solutions, expanded strategy implementation, and embedding sustainable practices within City operations.

Fellowship Dates:
October 26, 2026 – October 20, 2028

Salary:Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual salary of $95,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. This amount is not representative of market-rate salaries for the experienced professionals in our program but is intended as compensation for a year of public service.

FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to work more effectively for communities. We embed private sector executives in city and county agencies to lead projects that improve public services and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 400 projects in 58 governments across 26 states, impacting a total population equivalent to 1 in 10 Americans.

When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with government partners and community stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve substantive progress toward high-priority local needs. Projects address today’s most pressing challenges and opportunities, including affordable housing, economic mobility, climate resilience, public safety, infrastructure, technology, and more.

FUSE conducts a full executive search for each individual project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the community being served.

Executive Fellows are embedded in government agencies working with senior leaders for at least one year of full-time work. Prospective responsibilities may include thorough data analytics and research, developing enhanced operations and financial models, building change management and strategic planning processes, and/or building broad coalitions to support project implementation efforts. Executive Fellows are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects.

They build strong relationships with a broad array of stakeholders, foster alignment within and across various layers of government, and build partnerships between governments and communities.

Throughout the fellowships, Executive Fellows receive training, coaching, and professional support to help achieve their project goals.

Strategic community and economic development efforts are critical to ensure that rapid growth translates into improved quality of life, local opportunity, and long-term economic resilience. When cities proactively plan for commercial development, they can expand access to everyday amenities, support small business growth, and create walkable, vibrant places that foster connection and belonging. Data-driven economic development strategies also help cities prioritize inclusive growth by ensuring that new investment benefits a broad range of residents, particularly those who face barriers related to income, transportation, or access to employment.

Without intentional planning and community engagement, fast-growing cities risk reinforcing inequities in access to services and missing opportunities to build sustainable local economies.

Centerton, Arkansas, has experienced…