Executive Director

About Chicago Low Income Housing Trust Fund

The Chicago Low Income Housing Trust Fund (CLIHTF) is a 501(c)3 organization in partnership with the City of Chicago, dedicated to providing low-income individuals and families with access to stable, safe, and affordable housing by investing in rental subsidies and affordable housing projects throughout Chicago’s communities. As a focused and mission-driven organization, we are seeking a visionary and results-oriented Executive Director to lead our work with strategic insight and operational expertise.

As the largest City and State funded rental subsidy program in the nation, CLIHTF commits valuable resources to bridge the gap between market rents and what a low-income household can afford. CLIHTF provides rental subsidies directly to property owners, for the benefit of households earning at-or-below thirty percent (30%) of area median income, including veterans, the working poor, the disabled, the elderly, and homeless or at-risk-of-homelessness individuals and families.

For more information, please see: https://clihtf.org/

About the Position

The Executive Director (ED), reporting to an appointed Board of Directors, will serve as the Chief Executive of CLIHTF, and is responsible for strategic leadership, operational management, and financial oversight. The Executive Director is the key management leader of the organization and will work closely with the Board of Directors to continue to provide low-income individuals and families in Chicago access to stable, quality, safe, affordable housing by investing in rental subsidies and affordable housing projects throughout Chicago’s communities.

The ideal candidate will have working knowledge of equitable housing opportunities and experience working in community-focused environments. As CLIHTF faces unprecedented financial forecasts, as many non-profit organizations, the ideal candidate will have experience navigating tight budgets and coordinating a strategic response in partnership with the Board of Directors, City, State, and CLIHTF staff.

Essential Functions

Strategic and Thought Leadership

• Raise the visibility and profile of the CLIHTF and its work.
• Lead the development and implementation of short and long-term strategies to expand access to affordable housing in Chicago.
• Serve as primary external representative of the organization, build and maintain strong external partnerships across the affordable housing sector and relevant stakeholder groups including funders, government agencies, and the public.
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of housing policy, public and private funding opportunities, and community needs.
• Advocate for the mission with local or state stakeholders when appropriate.

Leadership and Administration

• Delegate and oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance with all legal and ethical standards.
• Hire, supervise, and evaluate the leadership team and contractors.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures in alignment with the organization’s mission.
• Execute and assign other duties as requested by the Board of Directors.

Program Oversight, Operations and Compliance

• Monitor projected outcomes and ensure compliance with funding and regulatory requirements.
• Innovate data tracking and reporting methods to highlight the organization’s success more quickly and identify potential areas of improvement.
• Coordinate and oversee program implementation, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission.
• Direct and oversee the organization’s internal operations, program implementation, and infrastructure to ensure effective service delivery and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Contribute to a culture of trust, collaboration, accountability and efficiency.

Financial Management

• Work to diversify funding sources and create strategies to attract fiscal support from the philanthropic sector.
• Ensure various lines of business reinforce and leverage one another and are strong and mutually supported in their respective fields.
• Ensure transparent, responsible use of funds and maintain strong financial controls.
• Develop and prepare the annual budget in collaboration with the Board and Finance Committee.
• Provide regular financial reports to the Board.
• Provide oversight of the organization’s budget, grants, and contracts in collaboration with the Board and fiscal partners.

Fundraising and Resource Development

• In partnership with the Board of Directors and staff, develop and implement a fundraising and development strategy for the organization.
• Leverage networks and social capital to steer philanthropic resources to CLIHTF to support its work.
• Establish strong relationships and cultivate potential new funding partners.
• Develop funding proposals, presentations, materials and other external communication.
• Represent the organization publicly and build partnerships with key partners and other collaborators.

Board Engagement and Management

• Work closely with the Board of Directors to align mission, goals, and governance.
• Cultivate a strong relationship with the Board of Directors, keeping them informed and engaged.
• Interface with the full Board, Committee Chairs, and the Executive Committee on a regular basis.

Position Qualifications

Ideal candidates will share the CLIHTF’s commitment to serving low-income individuals and families; possess a working knowledge of how public affordable housing works; and can demonstrate a proficiency with finances. Someone who prioritizes inclusion and diversity is a must, as well as a demonstrated financial and operational management background and significant fundraising experience.

Desired Skills and Experiences

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, public administration, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of senior leadership, including supervisory responsibilities.
• Holds entrepreneurial interest in innovation, growth, change.
• Creates an inspiring work environment that is supportive, inclusive, and motivating.
• Possesses strong understanding of affordable housing, key collaborators in the sector and how to mobilize resources as a nonprofit.
• Proven success in leadership, strategic planning and fundraising.
• Excels in interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Exhibits strong supervisory skills with the ability to develop and communicate the organization's mission and vision.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this hybrid position is $135,000 to $155,000 annually commensurate with experience. A competitive benefits package includes company-paid medical, dental, vision, and short-term disability insurance plans, 15 vacation days prorated based on hire date, 70 hours paid sick time prorated based on hire date, as well as 12 federal holidays and 1 flexible holiday per year.

How To Apply

CLIHTF has retained Morten Group, LLC to conduct this search. Applicants should complete the form available at mortengroup.com/executive-placements/clihtf including the submission of a cover letter and resume in PDF format by the best consideration date of Friday, February 20. Cover letters will be evaluated as a writing sample. Please note: only those applicants invited to a screening interview will be contacted the week of February 23, 2026.

CLIHTF encourages individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. CLIHTF does not discriminate based on race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, or any other basis prohibited by law.

A competitive benefits package includes company-paid medical, dental, vision, and short-term disability insurance plans, 15 vacation days prorated based on hire date, 70 hours paid sick time prorated based on hire date, as well as 12 federal holidays and 1 flexible holiday per year.