Executive Director

The Boston Neighborhood Community Land Trust (BNCLT) seeks an experienced, dynamic professional with a commitment to housing justice and a collaborative leadership style to expand efforts to create permanently affordable, community-controlled housing along the Fairmount Corridor in Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan, as well as other areas of the city.

BACKGROUND

In 2008, with foreclosures skyrocketing in Boston, particularly in neighborhoods with high percentages of lower income and Black and Latino households, a number of tenant, community, and advocacy organizations and community development professionals came together and formed the Coalition for Occupied Homes in Foreclosure (COHIF).  The goal of COHIF was to keep homeowners and tenants in their homes during and after the foreclosure process, thereby promoting household and community stability.  Originally formed as an advocacy organization, COHIF and partners advocated for several years for tenant protections and resources to create permanently affordable housing in low-income communities and communities of color.  In response to community need and the lack of capacity of other groups, COHIF decided to move beyond advocacy and to purchase and renovate several occupied foreclosed homes in Dorchester and maintain them as rental housing, with the support of the City of Boston.  Following the success of this initial pilot project, COHIF began to seek additional opportunities to develop affordable housing and stabilize neighborhoods.

Over the past year, in consultation with residents and community partners, COHIF made the decision to transform itself into the Boston Neighborhood Community Land Trust (BNCLT) and to acquire and renovate bank-owned homes and other properties and convert them into community-controlled, permanently affordable housing, under the community land trust model.  A city-wide land trust, BNCLT is currently prioritizing acquisition of properties along the Fairmount Corridor, which includes Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan, communities facing displacement and continued real estate speculation. 

The new leader will join BNCLT at a critical time of complex challenges and dynamic opportunities.  The destabilizing impact of the real estate market and the displacement of many long-term residents, threaten to negatively transform the City for generations to come.

With a resident-led Board of Directors and the support of the affordable housing and tenants rights movement, BNCLT serves as a model of resident ownership and community control where housing is a right, not a profit vehicle. We are doing more than holding up that model: we are building it from the ground up.   

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to a resident-led board of directors, the Executive Director (ED) provides direction and leadership for the organization's mission and vision, represents the organization and its work, and manages day to day operations. The ED is responsible for both internal and external relationships and will work with the board to chart the future direction of the organization.  The ED is responsible for engaging consultants, strategic partners, and community leaders toward achievement of BNCLT’s mission and strategic goals.

Management and Leadership

• Support all board and committee functions and operations
• Direct fundraising efforts and financial functions
• Manage annual budget and financial systems
• Oversee real estate and asset management functions
• Represent the organization externally
• Manage consultants and interns
• Promote the Community Land Trust model as an innovative vehicle for resident control and permanent affordable housing

Community Development

• Develop property acquisition and development policy recommendations and implement board decisions related to real estate development and asset management.
• Work with Board to identify and explore feasibility of affordable housing projects and negotiate real estate acquisition opportunities
• Manage bidding and development processes and manage consultants as needed
• Lead process to select other development team members, contractors, or other consultants
• Work to develop, plan and coordinate community input in the development process

Resource Development and Partnerships

• Develop and strengthen partnerships and relationships with all community stakeholders, and engage the community in new and exciting ways that foster continued neighborhood planning and revitalization
• Develop and sustain relationships with lenders, investors, funders, and government officials
• Serve as liaison between BNCLT, the development community and the City of Boston
• Identify and secure new funding opportunities -- including grants, unrestricted funds, earned income-- to ensure adequate budget support and long-term sustainability

Administrative Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of BNCLT finances to ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures; monitoring and managing the annual budget and cash-flow
• Ensure sound fiscal accountability and coordinate financial activities based on plans and policies developed in concert with BNCLT Board
• Oversee contracts with property and asset management entities for BNCLT properties

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Minimum of a BS/BA degree, ideally relevant graduate school degree
• Personal commitment to BNCLT’s mission and values, including the power of resident voice and control and development without displacement
• Knowledge and experience with Community Land Trust model
• Minimum five years of experience in development project management, community land trusts, and/or affordable housing development/financing
• Proven experience and knowledge of real estate development and asset management
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing successful fundraising strategies
• Knowledge of public and private financing options for affordable housing
• Detail oriented with strong organizational, planning and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to relate to residents and external partners and stakeholders
• Anti-Displacement organizing knowledge and experience; understanding of community and city landscape a plus
• Proven experience and knowledge of project management, budgeting, financial systems, organizational development
• Experience working in multicultural communities
• Experience working with city and state government agencies
• Proficiency in Spanish or Haitian Creole a plus
• SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS

$75,000-$90,000, plus benefits

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates should include a resume and a cover letter outlining relevant experience to cohifinfo@gmail.com.  Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit application by June 30, 2019. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, with priority given to those received by this date.

BNCLT is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates.  Individuals from under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply