Executive Vice President and Chief Program Officer

Background 

Evernorth is a nonprofit community development organization that provides the northern New England states with Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) syndication, real estate development services, affordable housing loan products, and New Markets Tax Credits to advance projects and policies that create more inclusive places to live. 

Evernorth was formed in July 2020 by its founding Co-Presidents Nancy Owens and Bill Shanahan. Nancy led Housing Vermont, a multi-disciplinary housing development organization, and Bill led Northern New England Housing Investment Fund, a two-state syndication firm. With the merger of these two long-standing successful nonprofit organizations, Evernorth has grown to 47 staff and has offices in Portland, Maine and Burlington, Vermont. 

The organization is well positioned to meet its mission in the region. As a direct result of the merger, Evernorth increased its capital raising by over 40%. With the merger Evernorth began diversifying and building its loan functions and products for affordable housing developers and is currently awaiting its CDFI (Community Development Finance Institution) certification. Evernorth is a respected leader in the region and is active in policy and advocacy efforts throughout our footprint. 

In 2023, Bill Shanahan will be retiring from his role as Co-President and Nancy Owens will lead Evernorth as its sole President. In response to these changes, Evernorth is seeking to fill a new executive position with an experienced tax-credit professional based out of the Portland office. The new position is the external face for Evernorth’s Portland office with investors, developers, and funders. The desired candidate is an affordable housing industry leader with deep transactional knowledge, relationship-centric leadership style and a commitment to Evernorth’s mission. 

EVERNORTH VISION: People in every community have an affordable place to live and opportunities to thrive.

EVERNORTH MISSION: We work with partners to connect underserved communities in the northern New England region with capital and expertise to advance projects and policies that create more inclusive places to live.

Evernorth

Executive Vice President & Chief Program Officer

Working directly with the President, the Executive Vice President & Chief Program Officer is helping Evernorth to deliver on its vision that all people in every community have an affordable place to live and opportunities to thrive. This position, located out of the Portland office, is externally facing the industry and particularly our customers in Maine and New Hampshire. The incumbent has the insight and experience to lead Evernorth’s loan and syndication services in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The position is responsible for developing, supporting, and implementing customer-focused business strategies; forging new and innovative partnerships, and making Evernorth’s impacts relevant locally, regionally, and nationally. This position works with the President and VPs on capital raising for equity and debt from investors.

Reports to:                President

Supervises:               Vice President of Community Investments and Vice President of Lending

Primary Office:         Portland

Representative Responsibilities

• Responsible, along with President, to plan for and raise equity, loan, and foundation capital for Evernorth’s businesses. 
• Manage investor relationships and secure opportunities to raise capital from investors and to leverage current work and drive new impact opportunities for the company   
• Responsible for coordinating investor communications, development, and outreach  
• Stay abreast of investment market trends and industry means and methods 
• Serve as primary relationship manager with relevant investors  
• Work with VPs in Syndication (LIHTC and NMTC (New Markets Tax Credit)) as well as Lending to coordinate business relationships, products, and strategy for Evernorth’s programs which result in high quality services and are aligned with mission impact. 
• Provide technical expertise, collaboration, and oversight  
• Provide support on transaction and development matters  
• Oversee consulting contracts 
• Strengthen inter-department coordination and customer service 
• Build and maintain strategic and innovative partnerships to strengthen Evernorth’s business and impact in target states and communities.  
• Represent Evernorth at industry networking, conference, and policy events. 
• Foster positive relationships with key Evernorth partners 
• Engage with the housing industry, particularly in Maine in New Hampshire to provide industry expertise and market insights that inform and support related community development, policy, and advocacy work  
• Serve on Evernorth’s Senior Management Team, contributing to building internal alignment related to originations strategy, external market dynamics, customer/client needs and organizational values and culture.  
• Keep abreast with the trends in the affordable housing finance and policy landscape 
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a diverse, inclusive, solution-focused, high trust culture.  
• Other duties as assigned. 

Skills and Qualifications

• Strong personal commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Evernorth.  
• BS/BA in business, community development, real estate finance, or a related field; Master’s degree (MBA), or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills were acquired.  
• Experience includes 15+ years of progressive leadership, demonstrating a record of accomplishment of raising capital, innovation, and growing businesses services or products to meet changing customer/client needs. At least 10 years of supervisory experience is required.  
• 10+ years of affordable housing and community development finance or real estate development and demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following programs: LIHTC, CDFI or NMTC 
• Impeccable integrity, honesty, and a reputation for a balanced, non-ideological approach. Creativity and a record of taking risks. A willingness to challenge conventional thinking coupled with the ability to partner effectively, bridge philosophies and build relationships.   
• A well-developed sense of strategy and diplomacy along with the ability to effectively communicate and inspire others to follow.  
• Quantitative thinker with strong analytical skill set.  
• Strong financial acumen.  
• Skillful public speaker. 
• Proven success in leading and developing high-performing teams.

Evernorth is an equal opportunity employer.