Director - Home First, IFF - Chicago, IL

Director of Home First 
IFF
Chicago, IL

IFF Position Description Title: Director of Home First
Department: Real Estate Services Department
Purpose: The Real Estate Services Department provides a wide range of real estate consulting and real estate development services to Midwestern nonprofits and in support of the agency’s broader goal of promoting comprehensive community development through help with the planning, designing, development and construction of facilities.
Reports to: Vice President of Real Estate Services

Basic Job Function:

The Director of Home First assumes overall responsibility for all aspects of IFF’s Home First program, which develops and owns integrated housing for people with disabilities. The Director of Home First guides the mission of Home First, taking an active role in developing new opportunities, providing executive oversight of project implementation, working with advocates, elected officials, and funders to remove barriers to the expansion of integrated supportive housing, researching new models of integrated housing development, and positioning Home First as a leader on the issue of integrated housing for people with disabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities: 
1. Manages and expands IFF’s Home First program, including guiding implementation of Home First’s mission; creating and implementing a strategic plan to guide development and identify and overcome policy barriers; executive oversight of project implementation; monitoring Home First’s performance against annual benchmarks; and promotion of the Home First model.

2. Independently manages Home First staff as Project Executive on Home First-related real estate projects and as a general resource for answering questions, troubleshooting, and solving problems when they arise, and providing guidance and training to both Home First and other RES staff as needed.

a. Supervises assigned staff, including scheduling, counseling and coaching, staff development and training, performance evaluation, professional development, and, if necessary, disciplinary actions, in accord with IFF’s personnel policies and procedures.

b. Assumes responsibility for Home First and other RES staff workload planning and project assignments in coordination with VP of RES and Managing Directors of Chicago and Regional Consulting Teams.

c. Acts as Project Executive, supporting Project Team Leader in coordinating all aspects of securing funding for and implementing each Home First project. Position Description –Director of Home First

d. Works collaboratively with IFF housing consulting and lenders.

e. Provides appropriate training to staff.

f. Monitors team progress on projects.

3. Monitors financial results of Home First’s departmental budget; maintains and analyzes internal financial data for planning purposes. Prepares financial projections for IFF Five-Year Forecast. Prepares budget request and recommendation in detail. Plans and manages the Home First development budget including all grants.

4. Develops and maintains external relationships with funders, elected officials, public employees, and disability advocates locally, regionally, and nationally.

5. Identifies public policy issues related to integrated housing for people with disabilities and coordinates with VP of Public Policy and Communications on development of any public policy action plans.

6. Makes presentations to and facilitates meetings with external and internal parties on Home First activities and other topics related to expanding integrated housing for people with disabilities, and represents IFF at meetings and events.

7. Prepares reports on Home First for IFF’s senior management and board and prepares written materials on Home First for external parties as needed.

8. Maintains required job knowledge and skills and core professional competencies. Understands Olmstead-based consent decrees governing states’ actions regarding the transition of people with disabilities from institutional settings. Attends and participates in required educational programs and staff meetings.

9. Performs other duties as assigned.

Performance Measures:
1. Oversee the successful completion of Home First’s strategic efforts and development projects according to goals set forth for the program-level strategic plan and for each individual project.

2. Effectively engage funders and public officials toward the goal of removing barriers to integrated housing for people with disabilities.

3. High level of internal and external colleague satisfaction with respect to knowledge of relevant subject matter, leadership in accomplishing goals, and respect shown to partners.

4. Internal and external meetings are facilitated in an organized way and are meaningful to the participants.

5. Written products are complete, accurate and clear and follow policies and procedures.

6. Oral presentations are clear, well organized, comprehensive and persuasive. Appropriate supporting material and visual aids are well utilized and enhance the presentation.

Position Description –Director of Home First 

Position Qualifications:

Education: Advanced degree in policy, planning, business, or real estate finance strongly preferred; Bachelor’s degree plus additional ten years relevant experience may substitute for advanced degree.

Experience: At least seven years of community development experience in affordable rental housing finance and/or development, nonprofit human services and/or housing management required. Special

Knowledge & Skills: Ability to create and guide a strategic vision for an overall program. Must have sensitivity to the issues faced by and needs of people with disabilities. Direct experience with affordable rental housing financing programs, via policy development, underwriting transactions and/or creating rental development and operating budgets. Ability to problem-solve, engaging others as needed to trouble-shoot as issues arise. Familiarity with funding programs and policies specific to affordable and/or supportive housing. Familiarity with Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision and resulting consent decrees preferred, but not required. Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills and ability to translate complex real estate and other concepts into relatable concepts for a broad audience. Experience in making formal presentations to a variety of audiences. Ability to work with elected officials, funders, tenants, and advocates.

Analytical and strategic skills; ability to plan and manage the implementation of multiple complex projects simultaneously; and ability to conceptualize and communicate project goals. Experience managing a team and navigating a multitude of relationships. Ability to learn and use a variety of computer software related, including word processing, presentation programs, and spread sheets.

Unusual Physical Requirements: Travel is required. The Director of Home First may visit abandoned buildings and vacant lots occasionally. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

IFF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Application Process: Please submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements to jkraemer@iff.org with “Director of Home First” in the subject line.