Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) Chief Executive Officer

ABOUT CHAPA

Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) is the leading statewide advocacy organization for affordable housing in Massachusetts. CHAPA works to advance policies and programs that promote the production and preservation of housing that is affordable for households with low and moderate incomes, while fostering diverse, sustainable communities through planning and community development.

CHAPA brings together a broad and diverse “big tent” of stakeholders—advocates, developers, lenders, service providers, tenant organizations, public officials, and community leaders—to shape housing policy at the local, state, and federal levels. This coalition-based approach is central to CHAPA’s identity: we build consensus across stakeholders who may have competing priorities, finding common ground that moves housing policy forward for all.

Our Impact:

• Leading voice on affordable housing policy in Massachusetts for over 55 years
• Convener of the state’s most diverse housing coalition
• Home to the Housing Policy Action Center, Municipal Engagement Initiative, Housing Leadership Academy, and the Massachusetts Homeownership Collaborative
• Host of the region’s largest annual affordable housing event
• $3.1M operating budget with a diversified funding base

CHAPA has built a deeply collaborative, values-driven organizational culture under its current leadership. The next CEO will be expected to honor and sustain that culture while bringing their own strengths to the role.

THE POSITION

CHAPA seeks a dynamic, strategic, and highly collaborative Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organization into its next chapter. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in Massachusetts housing policy, established relationships across the state’s housing ecosystem, demonstrated fundraising success, and a consensus-building leadership style.

The CEO will work closely with the Board of Directors, lead CHAPA’s experienced staff team, and serve as the organization’s primary external representative. This is an outward-facing role that requires someone who can navigate the complexities of state legislative and budget processes, maintain trusted relationships across diverse coalitions, and strengthen CHAPA’s financial sustainability through robust fundraising.

This role calls for a leader with a strong understanding of the Massachusetts housing landscape, including the legislative environment, advocacy community, development sector, and policy context. While existing relationships across these areas are highly valued, CHAPA is seeking a CEO who can both draw on prior experience and continue to build and deepen partnerships over time. The ideal candidate will be prepared to step into key conversations, quickly establish credibility, and grow relationships as part of the role.

Your commitment to housing justice, collaborative leadership style, and ability to hold space for competing perspectives will be instrumental in advancing CHAPA’s mission.

This role reports to CHAPA’s Board of Directors.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Culture

• Provide overall strategic direction for CHAPA in partnership with the Board of Directors
• Lead, support, and develop an experienced staff team, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing organizational culture
• Sustain CHAPA’s trust-based management approach, where staff are empowered to do their best work with appropriate autonomy and support
• Maintain an even-keeled, positive leadership presence—particularly within uncertain political and policy environments
• Oversee all organizational operations, including policy development, research, advocacy, programs, communications, fundraising, and finance

Public Policy & Advocacy

• Lead CHAPA’s state and federal housing policy and advocacy agenda, including legislative priorities and budget advocacy
• Maintain established, trusted relationships with Massachusetts legislators, public officials, and key housing stakeholders
• Navigate the state legislative and budget process with confidence and existing expertise
• Convene, participate in, and lead diverse advocacy coalitions, skillfully navigating competing or conflicting priorities among partners
• Serve as a consensus builder who can hold space for advocates, developers, tenant organizations, lenders, and public officials
• Maintain CHAPA’s research-backed, deliberate approach to policy positions while keeping momentum on key priorities

Fundraising & Financial Sustainability

• Serve as the organization’s chief fundraiser, with donor cultivation and revenue development as a central and ongoing responsibility of the role
• Actively cultivate and steward relationships with foundations, corporate partners, individual donors, and public funders
• Lead the continued development of CHAPA’s fundraising infrastructure, including expanding individual giving (a relatively new area for the organization), strengthening board engagement in fundraising, and building long-term philanthropic capacity
• Work closely with the Board and staff to develop and execute CHAPA’s fundraising strategy
• Oversee financial management to ensure fiscal responsibility, transparency, and sustainability

External Representation & Communications

• Act as CHAPA’s primary public ambassador and spokesperson
• Represent CHAPA on governmental and non-governmental task forces and commissions at the local, state, and federal levels
• Represent CHAPA at forums, conferences, community events, and fundraising activities—including CHAPA’s annual dinner, the largest affordable housing event in the region
• Engage with the media through interviews, public statements, and op-eds
• Present on panels and speak publicly on housing policy and advocacy issues
• Oversee organizational communications, including publications, reports, digital content, and branding

Board & Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner closely with the Board of Directors on governance, strategy, fundraising, and organizational growth
• Support Board development, recruitment, and engagement—including building the Board’s capacity and comfort with fundraising
• Strengthen and expand CHAPA’s diverse base of constituents, members, and partners across sectors

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. This said, we are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below:

Required:

• 10+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience, including senior-level management in a nonprofit, public sector, advocacy, or other mission-driven organization
• Extensive knowledge of Massachusetts housing policy and programs
• Established relationships within the Massachusetts housing ecosystem
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and revenue generation, including foundation, corporate, and individual giving
• Proven experience managing and developing senior-level staff and leading complex organizations
• Strategic, consensus-oriented leadership style with a track record of coalition-building
• Exceptional communication skills, including public speaking and writing for external audiences
• Experience representing an organization publicly, including with the media, policymakers, and funders
• A collaborative, trust-based leadership approach that fosters an inclusive, high-performing team culture
• Familiarity with federal housing policy
• Passion for affordable housing, community development, and advancing equity for households with low and moderate incomes

Preferred:

• Experience working with or serving on a nonprofit board
• Background in housing development, community development, or related fields
• Experience building fundraising infrastructure and culture within an organization

LOCATION, COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Boston, MA. The CEO will be expected to regularly work from CHAPA’s office and meet in person with stakeholders, partners, legislators, and funders throughout the Commonwealth.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $180,000–$210,000. Compensation is part of a comprehensive total rewards package, and final offers will be determined based on job-related knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience. CHAPA offers an excellent benefits package, including generous paid time off, retirement benefits, and comprehensive medical coverage.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are encouraged to promptly submit their applications through our online portal. All applicants will receive a response to their application. Please email rcostello@positivelypartners.org with questions or for support in submitting your application.

Candidates who advance should expect:

• Initial interviews with the recruitment team at Positively Partners in February 2025
• A virtual interview with members of a Search Committee comprised of CHAPA Board members
• Final interviews with the Search Committee and key external stakeholders in April 2025

The target start date is May 2025. Positively Partners is committed to conducting an equitable, accessible assessment process. If you would like to request an accommodation during the interview process, please email search@positivelypartners.org. Accommodation requests will be handled confidentially.

CHAPA is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work. Candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

CHAPA is an equal opportunity employer.

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