Program Officer - Underwriting and Technical Assistance: Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) - Indianapolis IN

Program Officer - Underwriting and Technical Assistance: Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) - Indianapolis IN

Local Initiatives Support Corporation seeks qualified applicants for the position of Program Officer for its Indianapolis Program. The Program Officer will be responsible for underwriting requests for grants and loans primarily related to multi-family and single family housing, commercial, community facility, and educational development projects. They will provide technical assistance to nonprofit community development organizations on reinvestment strategies, subsidy sources and the process of real estate redevelopment. This is an opportunity to take a leadership role with a wide range of neighborhood real estate projects that are part of a comprehensive community development strategy.

Background: LISC is a national non-profit organization that provides financial and technical assistance to nonprofit community development corporations (CDCs) working to improve housing and economic conditions in inner city neighborhoods and lower-income communities. The Indianapolis program provides technical assistance and financial support to CDCs and other nonprofits developing neighborhood revitalization strategies throughout Marion County.

LISC is founded on the belief that locally directed physical, economic and social change is a uniquely powerful tool for revitalizing communities. Moreover, such redevelopment efforts generate positive consequences that go well beyond visible improvements, including the development of productive alliances among residents, local government, and the business and philanthropic community.

The Program Officer will report to the Executive Director in Indianapolis and will work closely with the LISC Local Advisory Committee.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide technical and financial assistance to CDCs undertaking development projects in distressed neighborhoods. LISC financing includes: recoverable grants, pre-development loans, loan guarantees and equity funds, all intended to leverage both public and private resources.

2. Underwrite and prepare written qualitative and quantitative analyses of proposed LISC investments in housing and commercial development projects and in organizational development and make appropriate recommendations to the Program Director.

3. Serve as a liaison to the various public and private lenders and investors engaged in CDC developments.

4. Provide technical assistance to emerging and established community development groups in the areas of program management, strategic planning, real estate development and/or business development.

5. Work closely with the staff of LISC’s National Equity Fund (NEF) in the preparation of investment proposals for projects seeking equity commitments.

6. Work closely with the Charter School loan fund and potential applicants.

7. Assist the Program Director in the development of new program initiatives, and developing collaborative funding and lending arrangements with other financial and philanthropic institutions.

8. Work with grassroots organizations to build consensus for coordinated action in distressed neighborhoods.

9. Monitor and prepare reports on the existing loan and grant portfolio.


QUALIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

1. Bachelor’s Degree, and at least five years experience in real estate development and finance. Master’s degree preferred.

2. Extensive knowledge of housing development and finance, preferably with affordable projects aimed at revitalizing lower income communities. Experience in residential and commercial underwriting, including setting up lines-of-credit, construction financing, and mortgage financing. Familiarity with multifamily housing development, especially projects using the Low Income Housing Tax Credit.

3. Excellent oral and written communication skills.

4. Basic computer skills: Microsoft Word and Excel.


QUALIFICATIONS - DESIRED

1. Experience working with nonprofit community-based organizations either directly or as a lender, public agency staff, consultant or technical advisor.

2. Familiarity with the economic, political and social environment of Indianapolis especially with disinvested communities and the organizations which are active in them.

3. Previous experience in program development and technical assistance delivery.

4. Previous project underwriting for a lender.

5. Experience in working with computer spreadsheets to analyze financial transactions and conditions.

Personal Characteristics

1. A demonstrated interest in and commitment to the revitalization of low and moderate income urban/ rural communities.

2. The interpersonal skills necessary to work constructively with a wide variety of people and organizations; the ability to inspire trust, organize people into a team and motivate them to work intently and efficiently together.

4. Must be positive, solution-oriented professional with an entrepreneurial spirit and a good sense of humor.

5. Comfort with group processes and intangibles; patience; integrity.

6. The ability to be a team player and to promote broad consensus about strategies, plans and specific actions among diverse interests.

Salary: LISC offers a highly competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.

Please submit resume and a brief cover letter to:
Bill Taft
Executive Director
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
333 North Pennsylvania Suite 600
Indianapolis, IN 46204

LISC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER