Job Summary:
Homeword strengthens Montana communities by teaching homebuyer education and financial skill building and creating safe, healthy homes people can afford. Our communities are stronger when everyone can afford home. The cost of renting or buying a home, however, continues to increase at alarming rates in comparison to incomes. We develop high-quality, sustainably-built homes that our residents are proud to live in and that communities are proud to support. We’ve created 1,537 homes since Homeword began in 1994, located on 32 properties in 14 communities throughout the state. The homes are primarily rentals Montanan’s can afford. Since 1997, we’ve also empowered more than 20,000 people through our Regional Homeownership Center’s programming. Our educators provide classes and one-on-one counseling to members of the workforce, seniors on fixed incomes, people with disabilities, domestic violence survivors, veterans and the parents of many children. We bring a holistic approach to our work throughout the state and advocate for policies that create sustainable communities for all.
The Executive Director (ED.) provides leadership and is responsible for the day-to-day management, organizational health, and strategic direction for Homeword. The ED is responsible for the achievement of the strategic goals and objectives of Homeword through the effective and efficient management of staff, resources and programs as well as effective external communication, serving to inform the public at large of Homeword’s value to the community. The position will be salaried,require a full-time commitment and will be located at Homeword, Inc.’s offices in Missoula, MT. The culture of the organization is mission driven, team oriented, supportive, collaborative, flexible and creative.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities and Expectations:
1. Leadership and Management
The Executive Director works with the Board of Directors to develop the strategic plan and establish governance policies and procedures including the Homeword budget. The Executive Director is a member of the Homeword Leadership Team, providing oversight of that team to develop and implement the strategic plan, and guiding decisions and staff management as well as representing the overall organization.
Board of Directors–The ED works with the Board of Directors to develop and implement the strategic/business plan, set operating policies and procedures, establish annual organizational goals, and create programs consistent with the mission and vision of Homeword. The ED articulates a vision and direction facilitating consensus building among diverse constituencies and supporters and translating needs and concerns articulated by community partners and residents into an effective set of programs. The ED also reports to the Board on achievements and problem areas through consistent communication.
Leadership Team-The ED provides appropriate levels of communication between the Leadership Team and staff to implement the Homeword Strategic Plan. The ED provides leadership to ensure programs are well implemented through effective and efficient program management. The ED Supports leadership growth and development of the Leadership Team and other lead staff to meet strategic goals and objectives while also ensuring the health of the team-based, mission-driven organizational culture.
Human Resources- The ED is responsible for the overall direction of the human resources of Homeword, Inc. and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. The ED plans and directs work, ensuring that work schedules are adhered to and assigning specific duties where required. The ED oversees interviewing, hiring, onboarding and training employees and conducts staff evaluations, job performance management (including coaching/counseling), and corrective action. The ED is responsible for ensuring appropriate staff training and education programs are provided as well as conducting regular staff meetings and manages the team toward achievement of goals, including appraising performance, rewarding/disciplining employees and addressing complaints and resolving problems.
2. Operations and Programs
The ED Provides over-arching operational oversight and direction, achieves organizational management objectives, and maintains fiscal integrity through effective staff management and work plan achievement.
Organizational operations-The ED provides oversight of the recruitment of personnel, development of organizational procedures, general office communications and systems, and other operational concerns as needed. The ED directly supervises the leadership team including project development, program operations and finance directors to implement the Homeword Strategic Plan and departmental implementation plans. The ED participates on Board committees as appropriate, ensures efficient day-to-day office operations, and fosters Board and staff development. The ED oversees adherence to the personnel policies of the organization and quality assurance monitoring and evaluation of all programs.
Program Operations-The ED is responsible for Homeword's policies and procedures and program operations. The ED works with the Finance Director to implement fiscal accounting and controls in accordance with industry guidelines and sound accounting practices as well as annual budget with input from all departments. The ED ensures regular, informative reporting to the board.
- Finance: Works with the Finance Director to ensure the development of plans to achieve financial sustainability and maintain fiscal solvency. The ED understands the low income housing tax credit program and maximizes it’s benefit to the organization. Finance is an integral aspect of Homeword’s operations and also project development.
- Project Development: Development of housing units is one of the primary functions of Homeword, Inc.’s operations. The ED provides oversight of decision making for the project development team and multi-million dollar projects that have a large amount of risk, both on the projects themselves and Homeword’s fiscal and overall operations. The ED provides oversight on project selection criteria, financial analysis, funding packages and development decision making.
- Homeownership Center Programs: Homeword, Inc. operates homeownership and financial counseling programs for the MIssoula area through its Homeownership Center. The ED provides oversight to housing counseling, home ownership programs and financial skill building programs to implement organizational priorities and ensure protocols are established.
- Asset Management: Homeword, Inc. owns the bulk of the rental properties it develops with assets exceeding $62 million primarily made up of these rental properties. The ED oversees asset management and ensures Homeword’s assets are properly managed including oversight of contracted property managers.
Fundraising, Outreach & Policy-The ED is responsible for oversight of development and implementation of an effective fundraising program to help diversify Homeword's income streams and ensure viability of the organization. The ED takes a public leadership role in representing the organization by advocating for housing affordability, community development and housing education. This position works on applicable policy that promotes housing affordability and related social and economic policies. The ED ensures Homeword's mission and message reaches the public and elected officials effectively through outreach and advocacy and promotes a positive image through a comprehensive outreach and communications plan.
- Fundraising-The ED works closely with the fundraising team (staff and Board) to establish the fundraising strategies and goals for the organization including establishment of work plan goals and calendar for grants, sponsorships, cultivation plan for major donor prospects, events and appeals. The ED helps coordinate the implementation of those strategies with Board members and staff, and makes major donor asks. In addition, the ED provides oversight on project development applications including LIHTC, government grants, private grants and loans from banks and other funding providers.
- Outreach & Policy-The ED is responsible for expanding the network of organizations and individuals who are aware of Homeword's work through attendance at meetings and conferences, serving on related Boards of Directors, and outreach to partners and allies, including grassroots organizations, statewide coalitions, and city/county, state and federal government, and others as identified. The ED provides leadership and proactive outreach to ensure that Homeword enjoys a visible profile in the state, region and country. The ED advocates at the local, state and federal levels for the resources to meet the affordable housing needs of the State of Montana.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions:
This position is an office environment-based role, there are no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands regularly required of the incumbent outside of a professional office environment. Frequent and continuous physical activities required, include: Sitting, typing, writing, hearing, listening, talking, bending, stooping, and lifting up to 25 pounds. This role is mostly protected from weather conditions or contaminants, but not necessarily from the occasional temperature fluctuation. Travel is an expectation of this role.
Homeword Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Homeword Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law.
All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
Homeword is committed to being an anti-rascist organization and these principles guide daily decision making as well as hiring.
Minimum Qualifications (Experience/Education):
[Note: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, certification, licensing experience, knowledge, skill and/or ability required. A combination or accumulation of applicable work-related experience and/or education may be recognized as sufficiently meeting the prerequisites outlined below.]
- Bachelor's degree in Public and/or Business Administration, public policy, communications, planning or related field required. Advanced training in housing policy, housing development and housing finance preferred.
- Minimum of 5 - 10 years related work experience: Non-profit administration, organizational management, leading and empowering staff, public administration, affordable housing development, real estate development/management, urban planning, public policy, developing and managing partnerships, organizational finance and housing finance.
Competencies or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA’s):
Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Advanced Analytical Skills — Homeword, Inc.’s housing development programs require significant understanding of financing for real estate development including Low Income Housing Tax Credits, government grant programs and housing grant and loan programs.
Judgment and Decision Making — Homeword, Inc’s housing development and programs are complex and are financed by multiple sources. The ED must analyze work done by relevant team members and use knowledge to make decisions that both benefit and protect the organization and the clients it serves.
Complex Problem Solving — Problems are highly varied, complex and often require novel and creative approaches to resolution. New concepts and approaches may have to be developed.
Communications and Advocacy — Knowledge to expand the network of organizations and individuals who are aware of Homeword's work through attendance at meetings and conferences, serving on related Boards of Directors, and outreach to partners and allies, including grassroots organizations, statewide coalitions, and city/county, state and federal government, and others as identified.
Funding and Grant Writing — Working knowledge of public and private funding opportunities for operations and project development. Knowledge and ability to review and/or write effective grant and loan applications to receive additional funding sources and tailor writing for the audience.
Ethical Behavior/Integrity – Model high standard of honesty, integrity, trust and openness. Understand and follow through with appropriate standards of conduct. Communicate and demonstrate actions in a consistent manner. Respect others, regardless of individual capabilities, agenda, opinions or needs.
Complete benefits package and annual salary range $102,440-$128,000 depending on experience.
Please send cover letter and resume to [email protected].
Email: [email protected] for more details.