Rainier Valley Community Development Fund is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with loan products designed to meet the needs of minority small business owners and nonprofit organizations serving Rainier Valley. Guided by its mission to preserve and strengthen cultural diversity, long-term livability, and economic opportunity throughout southeast Seattle, it provides lending capital to entrepreneurs and nonprofit developers that enhance the quality of life in the community.
The successful candidate will inherit an organization with a solid 19 year history of supporting a vibrant, diverse and economically successful Rainier Valley Community though community development investments. The new ED will guide the organization’s impact on this diverse community that has experienced a light rail system constructed through the middle of their business district. The ED will have the opportunity to build on RVCDF’s track record and raise additional funds to deepen the organization’s impact on creating an even more vibrant and innovative Rainier Valley community.The successful candidate will inherit an organization with a solid 19 year history of supporting a vibrant, diverse and economically successful Rainier Valley Community though community development investments. The new ED will guide the organization’s impact on this diverse community that has experienced a light rail system constructed through the middle of their business district. The ED will have the opportunity to build on RVCDF’s track record and raise additional funds to deepen the organization’s impact on creating an even more vibrant and innovative Rainier Valley community.
The Executive Director will have the following strategic priorities for the first 18 months of his/her tenure:
- Complete strategic planning discussions among board and staff to develop an implementation plan, including:
- Prioritization of, and buy-in to the strategic plan goals,
- Staff and systems capacity growth needed to implement the plan
- Marketing plan
- Develop 2021 operating plan and budget
- Implementation of the strategic plan beginning in 2021
- Develop relationships with community businesses, nonprofits and community leaders to gain an understanding of desired community development goals. Create a plan for maintaining community relationships, culminating with development of marketing materials for all planned RVCDF audiences. Maintain positive community relationships and an active voice in the community through both in-person contact and social media.
- Team-building: Collaboratively lead the entire board and staff to build and develop a cohesive, mission-focused team
- Partner with Board of Directors to participate in Board training, with a goal of clarifying the appropriate governance role of the board, and operational role for staff
- Develop a plan for growth of lending fund capital
- Analyze options for deeper community involvement and investment, for example, new lending programs and/or technical assistance
- A Bachelor’s degree in public, non-profit, or business management and a demonstrated commitment to lifelong learning. Educational qualifications may be waived depending on work history.
- Eight years’ progressively responsible experience in nonprofit leadership and development, with five years’ experience in a senior leadership role. Executive level corporate or public sector experience with significant volunteer leadership roles may substitute for nonprofit experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in lending, ideally including some combination of experience with small business lending, and/or community development and/or community investment, housing or real estate lending.
- Demonstrated leadership skills in inspiring, empowering, developing and managing staff to achieve strategic organizational goals.
- Experience in change management leadership and strategic and/or business planning implementation based on data collection and analysis and logic model development.
- Demonstrated skills in team-building among board and staff.
- Experience working with and engaging a diverse Board of Directors, and the ability to actively deploy RVCDF's mission and strategic plan.
- Experience in fundraising and relationship development with government, corporate and/or foundation partners.
- Relationship building skills including experience successfully engaging with community leaders, members and other partners.
- Demonstrated experience with cross-cultural competency to work with diverse community members and stakeholders, including experience/understanding of how community members and leaders from different cultures in Rainier Valley speak, communicate, and perceive the world around them.
- Excellent communication skills at all levels, with staff, board, and community stakeholders. Experience with public relations and making effective public presentations.
Job Requirements
- Willingness to travel locally and nationally.
- Must be able to pass criminal background and agree to a credit check.
Working Conditions
Work is performed typically in an office environment and a variety of settings among diverse stakeholders and audiences. A considerable amount of time will be spent in meetings, at a computer screen for extended periods, at RVCDF events, and speaking before public audiences. Frequent use of phones and e-mail will be required to communicate with stakeholders. Frequently works outside normal working hours and will need to travel due to work performed with donors and other stakeholders in the community. Occasional travel out of town and out of state will be required.
Compensation: $135,000 to $155,000 base salary depending on experience, plus incentives based on performance. Benefits include 100% of medical, dental and vision premiums for the employee plus 50% of premiums for dependents, plus life and disability insurance, flexible spending account, employer-matched contributions toward a 403(b) retirement plan and a generous paid-time-off policy.
To apply, interested candidates should e-mail their cover letter and resume to: [email protected]
E-mail applications with a cover letter are required.
Only e-mail applications with a cover letter and resume will be accepted. Position open until filled.
Rainier Valley Community Development Fund is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and values diversity and its role in building a more inclusive culture and, ultimately, a more capable organization. The RVCDF embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.