About HLC
Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County (HLC) is the leading affordable housing advocacy coalition serving the communities of San Mateo County. Its mission is to work with communities and their leaders to produce and preserve quality affordable homes.
Major Responsibilities
The Executive Director position is a unique leadership opportunity for an individual with initiative and an entrepreneurial spirit. S/he will provide the vision, strategic direction and management expertise for one of the state’s most innovative housing organizations. As HLC’s chief advocate, spokesperson and fundraiser, the Executive Director will capitalize on HLC’s unique combination of technical expertise, policy/advocacy, and coalition building and seek to greatly expand the organization’s constituency, financial support base, and overall capacity. The Executive Director will manage and direct the overall organization, its programs, operations and staff. Reporting to the Board s/he will ensure that the organization is fiscally and administratively sound and that its programs, operations, communications, information systems, and fund development efforts are coordinated and support the strategies and policies agreed upon by the Board.
It is critical that within the first year, the Executive Director do the following:
Thoroughly understand HLC—its mission and policies, culture, values, history, programs, partners and key stakeholders, finances, fundraising efforts and potential;
Gain the confidence of the Board and continue to bring forth their best efforts and talents; develop a strong working relationship with the Chair of the Board and the Executive Committee;
Establish and maintain personal relationships with key foundation partners, donors, stakeholders and community leaders in order to encourage ongoing support; begin to cultivate a donor pool that extends beyond HLC’s current base;
Represent HLC externally at hearings, trainings, and meetings in San Mateo County and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Additionally, it is expected that the Executive Director will have ongoing responsibility for:
Leadership and Management
Achieve outcomes that advance the implementation of HLC’s vision, mission and programmatic goals and objectives;
Ensure the continued articulation of an organizational vision and mission statement that provides the context and focus for HLC’s work;
Ensure that the day-to-day operations and programs of HLC are smoothly and effectively administered; provide appropriate oversight of program staff activities, grants, and overall systems and procedures;
Work closely with the Finance Committee to maintain the organization’s fiscal well-being; ensure that budgets are balanced and that the programmatic outcomes of funding commitments are met;
Hire, supervise, motivate and evaluate staff; ensure that a performance evaluation and review system are in place, with emphasis on well-defined goals, clear responsibilities and levels of accountability for all staff; create and oversee the implementation of a staff development plan and encourage opportunities for staff growth and development within the organization; take action as necessary to hire, retain, and terminate staff appropriately;
Represent HLC on key Committees, Boards, and Commissions;
Continue to strengthen the organization’s capacity to measure and evaluate the results of its work.
Programmatic Work
Stay abreast of key trends and issues in housing; identify strategic opportunities; communicate implications to the Board and staff, together with recommended action;
Serve as a resource and leader for program staff, encouraging their efforts, supporting their leadership in their fields and developing their capacity for strategic decision-making; promote cross-fertilization of programs;
Collaborate with other allies and partner organizations and build effective partnerships/coalitions with organizations and individuals working in the organization’s areas of interest; leverage the organization’s resources through these efforts.
Development and Communications
Cultivate and maintain close relationships with foundation partners through face-to-face meetings, regular phone conversations, and written updates;
Expand the organization’s pool of funders annually to allow for growth;
Explore strategies to grow HLC’s membership;
Promote and provide increased visibility for HLC and serve as a credible, articulate and effective spokesperson for the organization’s mission and its programs;
Increase HLC’s strategic communications capacity.
Board Relations
Work in close partnership with the HLC Board of Directors to ensure organizational objectives are achieved; encourage Board members’ involvement in fundraising and other activities;
Implement Board policies, program goals and objectives; provide ongoing communication to the Board on critical matters related to the organization;
Play a lead role in Board recruitment.
Qualifications Include:
IDEAL EXPERIENCE – Ideally, the Executive Director will have the following experience:
Informed and deep passion for the vision and mission of HLC.
Fundraising ability and enthusiasm with demonstrated experience raising significant funds from a variety of sources and an ability to play a leadership role in development;
Experience in a leadership role with a nonprofit organization;
Proven problem-solving and strategic planning experience with commensurate fiscal responsibility;
Demonstrated experience taking strategic actions with a record of converting vision into working programs or outcomes with measureable impact. An innovator with an eye for creative opportunities tied to a commitment to accountability and results;
The ability to communicate effectively and openly, both verbally and in writing, with a broad range of individuals and organizations; capable of public leadership; strong political savvy; ability to effectively manage and defuse issues of a controversial or sensitive nature;
A record as a coalition builder; able to create constructive partnerships with the Board, staff, members, and with other organizations and influencers working within the field; administrative strength in consensus-building, teamwork and communication;
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS – The successful candidate should be or have:
An inspiring, persuasive and dedicated leader and spokesperson, who is optimistic about effecting change;
A strategic thinker who is able to successfully manage HLC today, while providing a bold vision for the future; able to conceptualize and express ideas and anticipate and act on events which may create opportunities for HLC;
Able to develop a sense of team spirit and common purpose; maintaining an environment where mutual respect, collegiality and diversity are valued;
An ethical individual with outstanding human qualities, able to relate to diverse audiences; must impart trust, integrity, stability, sensitivity, common sense and tolerance and motivate others in a similar vein;
Politically savvy, with the ability to translate knowledge and connections into action; comfortable dealing with individuals of all backgrounds;
A decisive and unifying leader who is firm and confident, yet flexible; able to develop immediate credibility with a seasoned workforce and with external stakeholders;
An outgoing and open personality, with tenacity, pragmatism, high energy, and patience. A sense of humor and ability to enjoy oneself and one’s colleagues.
Compensation and Benefits:
Salary range is nonprofit sector competitive. HLC will negotiate a generous compensation package including salary, medical and dental insurance, paid vacation, holidays and sick time.
Disclosure:
Housing Leadership Council (HLC) is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply and will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, compensation, termination, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
HLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer
How to apply
To Apply:
To apply for this position, please forward a resume, as well as a substantive cover letter outlining your interests and qualifications for this position via email to: nmakki@hlcsmc.org
Please submit materials by Close of Business on Monday, November 30, 2015.