Independent Contractor Technical Assistance / Business and Governance Advising

Consulting Contractor Opportunity

Governance & Business Advisor

Engagement Type: Independent Contractor / Consultant [Multiple Roles Available]

Reports To: Manager, Community Business Operations

Location: Remote-based

Residency Preferences: Utah, Pennsylvania, New York State, California, North Carolina, Virginia

Contract Duration: Six (6) Months with potential to renew

Estimated Hours per Month: Fifteen (15)

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced independent consultant to serve as a trusted advisor and ombudsman to volunteer Boards of Directors in resident-owned communities (ROCs). As an objective third-party consultant, you will act as a neutral bridge between board members, residents, and stakeholders—helping navigate conflicts, facilitate difficult conversations, and ensure fair governance practices. The Consultant may provide support to multiple communities under one contract.

In this ombuds-like role, you will provide unbiased guidance and coaching to volunteer leaders who are managing their communities while balancing complex interpersonal dynamics. You'll help boards make sound business decisions, maintain compliance, and uphold cooperative principles while often coaching and advising on internal disputes and coaching the board of directors to ensure all voices are heard. Your role is to empower communities to govern themselves effectively while serving as an independent resource they can trust.

You won't work alone. As a contractor in this role, you will be fully supported by a dedicated team of subject matter experts specializing in Real Estate, Property Management, Construction, and Development. This expert team provides technical guidance, industry insights, and specialized knowledge that you can leverage when advising communities—ensuring boards receive comprehensive, well-informed recommendations on complex operational and strategic matters.

Key Responsibilities

Acting as a Neutral Advisor

• Serve as an impartial third-party advisor to volunteer boards, providing objective guidance on governance issues, conflicts, and decision-making challenges.
• Help boards learn to manage conflict within the board and within the community in a healthy way. Act as a confidential sounding board for board members navigating difficult community issues, offering independent advice without bias.
• Help boards balance competing interests within the community while maintaining focus on the cooperative's long-term health.
• Facilitate difficult conversations and guide boards through sensitive situations with neutrality and professionalism.
• Ensure transparency in board operations by advocating for open communication and proper documentation of decisions.

Business Planning & Operations Support

• Work with community leaders to create simple, actionable business plans with quarterly goals focused on infrastructure repairs, filling vacant lots, and staying compliant with regulations.
• Help boards evaluate opportunities to increase revenue and assess financial risks and returns. Leverage the expertise of our Real Estate and Development specialists to provide boards with market analysis, feasibility assessments, and strategic recommendations.
• Coach boards on following their own policies, bylaws, and rules while improving operations and financial performance. Collaborate with our Property Management experts to ensure operational recommendations align with industry best practices.
• Encourage boards to use professional services (attorneys, accountants, contractors) to reduce risk and prevent volunteer burnout. Connect boards with our Construction specialists when evaluating infrastructure projects, vendor selection, and capital improvement planning.
• Monitor compliance with loans, grants, and regulatory requirements, and advise on fixing issues quickly.
• Build positive relationships with local officials, industry professionals, and partner organizations.

Governance & Board Support

• Guide boards through proper meeting procedures including preparation, notifications, documentation, and accurate minutes.
• Train volunteer leaders on their fiduciary responsibilities and help them understand financial reports and community finances.
• Teach boards how to enforce policies fairly and consistently while following parliamentary procedure and cooperative principles.
• Identify training opportunities and resources to strengthen board members' leadership skills.
• Help develop the next generation of board leaders by engaging residents and building a pipeline of volunteers.

Pre Purchase Support

• Work closely with the Acquisition Project Manager to support the decision making of the board of directors in the transition from investor to resident ownership. Work to build out Capital and Business Plans to be implemented in the first 12-18 months of ownership. Begin to ensure the board of directors has healthy corporate habits to set them up for success long term.
• Coach the board of directors through decision making such as vendor procurement, conducting research on purchase feasibility, obtaining financing,
• Coach boards through adopting corporate rules, bylaws, and policies.

Community Engagement & Inclusion

• Create opportunities for all residents to participate in community decisions, especially underrepresented groups.
• Address barriers that prevent certain residents from getting involved in governance.
• Encourage diverse board membership that reflects the community's demographics.
• Ensure community policies promote fairness and equity for all residents.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, real estate, or related field preferred or equivalent demonstrated experience
• Experience with Parliamentary Procedure or board governance.
• Background working with cooperatives, HOAs, condo associations, or community organizations.
• Spanish language skills (conversational or fluent) preferred but not required.
• Ability to read and understand financial statements.
• Experience working with Salesforce, Box, or Monday.com is helpful.
• Fluency in technology systems to include Outlook Email, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word), Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other.

Required Skills

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Ability to work effectively with internal subject matter experts and coordinate technical resources to support community needs.
• Mediation & Conflict Resolution: Ability to remain neutral, facilitate difficult conversations, and help parties find common ground.
• Trust Building: Natural ability to develop trust with diverse groups and maintain confidentiality.
• Communication: Excellent listening, speaking, and written communication skills.
• Multi-tasking: Manage multiple communities and priorities simultaneously.
• Independence: Self-motivated and comfortable working remotely with minimal supervision.
• Adaptability: Thrive in fast-paced environments with changing priorities.
• Coaching Ability: Guide volunteers with varying education levels and backgrounds with patience and professionalism.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical skills and practical decision-making abilities.

Travel Requirements

• Must be willing to travel and work evenings/weekends as needed for community meetings.

Compensation

This is an independent contractor position. Compensation will be based on experience and qualifications.

How to Apply

Please submit:

1. 1. Resume highlighting relevant experience
   2. Cover letter describing your approach to serving as an ombuds-like advisor to volunteer boards
   3. Rate requirements - Your hourly rate, daily rate, or project fee structure
   4. Professional references

Submit materials to: PMSupport@Rocusa.org

Application Deadline: Ongoing

This is an independent contractor engagement. The selected consultants will be responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and business expenses. This is not an employee position and does not include benefits.