Executive Director

Somerville Community Land Trust (SCLT), a recently-formed affordable housing non-profit organization, is hiring its first Executive Director (ED).

This person will provide direction and leadership for SCLT’s’s mission and vision, represent the organization and its work, and manage SCLT’s day to day operations. The ED will be responsible for engaging consultants, strategic partners, community leaders, and the public toward achieving SCLT’s mission and strategic goals.

SCLT is an early-stage organization, and the founding Executive Director will need to be extensively driven, self-motivated, and experienced in order to successfully tackle a wide variety of tasks. The ED will work closely with the SCLT Board and with governmental partners at the City of Somerville, and will oversee a motivated group of regular SCLT volunteers. The SCLT’s first Executive Director will ultimately play a large role in charting a successful course for the organization.

Responsibilities

The Executive Director’s responsibilities will include:

MANAGEMENT/EXECUTIVE:

• Lead the start-up establishment and implementation of the SCLT, including building organizational infrastructure, developing and overseeing relationships with developers, partners, consultants and other stakeholders, and working cooperatively with the Board and volunteers.

• Build a diverse team to execute SCLT’s growth plan. Hire and develop qualified staff and coordinate job benefits and policies. Model and set the organization’s culture, values and behaviors.

• Establish and manage day-to-day operations, including office policies, financial protocols, etc. 

FUNDRAISING

• Work with Board to develop and implement fundraising strategy to ensure adequate budget and long-term sustainability

COMMUNITY ORGANIZING

• Work with community partners and government agencies to identify potential sites for development/redevelopment of housing and other community uses.

• Develop and strengthen relationships with community stakeholders, and engage the community to foster continued neighborhood planning and revitalization

• Coordinate CLT advocacy and organizing activities in support of anti-displacement and affordable housing initiatives at the local and state level

• Coordinate annual CLT Member Meeting

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

• Lead the execution of SCLT’s strategic business plan, with a focus on acquiring and/or developing CLT units.

• Work with Board and consultants to explore affordable housing projects, negotiate acquisition of properties, and manage development process

• Develop and sustain relationships with lenders, investors, funders, and government officials

STEWARDSHIP

• Oversee post-purchase stewardship support for future CLT homeowners, including technical assistance around refinancing and home repairs.

• Oversee compliance of all properties in CLT stewardship portfolio.

PUBLIC EDUCATION & RELATIONSHIPS

• Provide technical assistance and information regarding the community land trust model to homeowners, developers, lenders, realtors, attorneys and the general public.

• Maintenance and updating of social media platforms that represent SCLT (Facebook, Twitter, website)

RECORD-KEEPING 

• Work with SCLT’s accounting team and Treasurer to prepare materials for annual audit and tax reports to ensure compliance with all governmental regulations and private grantor requirements.

Compensation

Total compensation for this position, including salary and benefits, is $95,000/year.

Qualifications and skills

We encourage candidates with extensive experience in community organizing, nonprofit leadership, fundraising or real estate development to apply. You can demonstrate this in your application based on professional experience or lived experience.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS ARE NECESSARY:

• Personal commitment to Somerville CLT’s mission and values, including the power of resident voice and control, and development without displacement

• Demonstrated experience and success in at least one of the following areas: affordable housing development, real estate asset management, community land trusts, or community organizing

• Demonstrated experience supervising and directing the work of others

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to relate to residents and external partners and stakeholders

• Ability to be flexible, adaptable, collaborative and retain a sense of humor in the face of challenges

• Detail-oriented with strong organizational, planning and problem-solving skills

• Massachusetts residency; working remotely is fine as long as you have a reliable internet connection, but you must live in Massachusetts

THESE QUALIFICATIONS ARE PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED: 

SCLT hopes to find a candidate who also has the following skills/experience, but they aren’t strict requirements. We urge you to apply even if you don’t satisfy every last one of these qualifications.

• Understanding of community land trust model and the Somerville community

• Project management experience

• Experience coordinating consultants

• Experience working in multicultural communities

• Experience working with city and state government agencies

• Ability to build strong partnerships with diverse groups of constituents

• One or more of the following: Spanish, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole language skills

• Somerville residency

About the employer

Somerville Community Land Trust (SCLT) is a non-profit organization established to promote neighborhood stability and prevent displacement of low- and moderate-income families through the preservation and creation of permanently affordable housing. Incorporated in 2019 in response to the ongoing affordable housing crisis facing Somerville, SCLT has recently completed a strategic business planning process to guide its work over the next three years and ensure that the organization has the capacity and resources necessary to sustain its vital work into the future. SCLT’s mission is to not only build affordable housing, but to build community and be a partner in the larger movement for community control over development in Somerville. In addition to undertaking real estate projects that create and preserve permanently affordable housing, SCLT will continue to place a high priority on engaging the community and bringing residents and partners together to carry out the mission of the organization. SCLT will only be successful if residents directly impacted by and most at risk of displacement and gentrification are actively involved in the organization's leadership.

SCLT is an equal opportunity employer.  We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive equitable consideration for employment based on their experience and qualifications, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.