Detroit LISC Executive Director

LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORPORATION
Detroit LISC Executive Director


Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) seeks a seasoned and mature leader for the Executive Director position in its Detroit office. This is a key position within LISC and is critical to the ongoing success of a program site that has a 20 year track record of achievement and innovation. This position will provide the strategic direction and guidance for all aspects of LISC’s future program vision and strategies in Detroit. The successful candidate will have strong leadership, communication, and entrepreneurial skills. The position requires a strong commitment to the role of community-based non-profit organizations as agents of positive community change and a broad knowledge of non-profit real estate development and lending as well as an understanding of and appreciation for other key public and private partners who can offer additional resources to the work of community development in Detroit.

The Executive Director is responsible for securing the capital and creating partnerships to implement the Sustainable Communities program, which is an intensive investment program in 5 neighborhoods in Detroit, where community-based agencies lead comprehensive community development. The Sustainable Communities program focuses on investment and partnerships to achieve solutions regarding affordable housing, public safety, education, workforce development, child care, health care, business assistance, and other community issues. These efforts will help community based nonprofits and development corporations further revitalize their neighborhoods.

The Executive Director of the Detroit LISC program will provide leadership, direction, and strategic planning to a high-level professional staff, utilizing both local resources as well as the substantial national resources that flow from National LISC to the Detroit program. The Executive Director will also be responsible for helping to create and sustain a community-wide vision for community development. In so doing, the Executive Director must develop, maintain, and lead effective working relationships with corporate, philanthropic, civic and public entities that currently or may potentially support LISC’s role and the broader community-wide agenda.


I. Responsibilities:

A. Build and promote the community development industry in Detroit through community leadership, external relationships, and community and economic development finance
 Develop, lead, and maintain a shared community development agenda through dialogue with local government, state agencies, other private and quasi-public financial institutions and intermediaries, advocacy groups, and community based organizations.
 Promote effective community development strategies to attract resources to targeted under-served populations, neighborhoods, and the Detroit region.
 Provide leadership and support in implementing an effective on-going communications strategy.
 Demonstrated ability to lead real estate development and finance strategy.

B. Fundraising and development
 Identify and nurture leadership from key corporate, foundation and other prospective donor sectors who share an interest in community development.
 Raise sufficient funds annually to finance Detroit LISC program activities and projects.
 Seek out new and creative resource development strategies for LISC and the community development field.
 Build local donor relationships through coordinated resource development stewardship activities with the LAC and with the national LISC office, as appropriate.

C. Public policy leadership and advocacy
 Establish and maintain effective working relationships at the highest levels of local and state government as well as in the corporate and foundation sectors.
 Develop and maintain partnerships with community organizations and other advocacy groups engaged in public policy issues.
 Bring visibility and thoughtful leadership to important issues, including those identified by Detroit LISC including, promoting effective land use strategies and supporting the development of a Detroit Land Bank.
 Represent Detroit LISC on key community task forces, commissions and other policy bodies, as appropriate.

D. Leadership and management of the Local Advisory Board (LAB) and other committee structures
 Coordinate strategic and annual planning/budgeting processes in collaboration with the LAC, staff, and LISC’s regional program vice president.
 Maintain working relationships with LAB members, engaging them in local community development policy, advocacy and program strategy development.
 Maintain understanding and connection between the LAB and national LISC direction, policy, and programs.
 Recruit and orient a diverse, skilled and broadly representative LAB membership.

E. Build and maintain positive relationships with national LISC
 Participate in national LISC leadership meetings, events, trainings.
 Bring visibility to local innovations and programs within the national LISC structure.
 Maximize the use of National LISC resources and expertise in Detroit.
 Manage national LISC relationships with regional Vice-President
 Manage reporting requirements and other administrative functions related to the national organizational structure.

F. Organizational management and program development
 Build and maintain an empowered staff to implement the Detroit LISC strategic plan.
 Oversee LISC’s financing, technical assistance, training and organizational development strategies to strengthen partner capacities and impact.
 Maintain and build a diverse and inclusive staff and work culture.


II. Critical Qualities:
• Demonstrated track record in providing leadership for the development of strategic visions.
• Ability to establish priorities that align with a strategic plan and manage multiple agendas and programs effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to attract and sustain philanthropic funding.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including experience speaking publicly in diverse forums and with culturally and racially diverse audiences.
• Knowledge and understanding of community development strategies, leading the real estate development process, and a working knowledge of financing tools utilized in community and economic development efforts.
• Entrepreneurial orientation; ability to seek out creative approaches to community issues.
• Proven ability to work in culturally and ethnically diverse environments.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people and organizations, including senior level corporate, philanthropic and public sector representatives; ability to inspire trust and to motivate staff and partners.
• Experience building and facilitating relationships within and among various sectors.
• Demonstrated management experience, including staff development, financial management, and office administration.
• Commitment to principles of social justice and community based empowerment strategies.

III. Required Qualifications:
• Seven to ten years senior level experience in community development or related field.
• Demonstrated commitment to LISC’s community development mission.
• Bachelor’s degree. Masters degree preferred.

IV. Supervision:
The Executive Director reports to the LISC regional program vice president and the Detroit LISC Local Advisory Board.

V. To Apply:
LISC offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Moderate travel is required. Qualified candidates should send a resume, a writing sample and cover letter by April 15, 2010, to:

Executive Search
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
119 North Church Street Suite 201
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
E-mail: cvliek@lisc.org

For more information on LISC visit our website: http://www.lisc.org

LISC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
NO TELEPHONE INQUIRIES PLEASE