Senior Director, CDO Network

Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD) has partnered with Mondo Unlimited to recruit a Senior Director of the CDO Network, a leadership role that will help strengthen and connect Detroit’s community development organizations.

CDAD is a membership-centered organization with more than 100 dues-paying members. The organization advocates for public policies and resources that support nonprofit, community-based organizations and resident-led groups working to strengthen Detroit neighborhoods through development, land use planning, community organizing, and other neighborhood revitalization efforts.

CDAD plays a central role in Detroit’s community development ecosystem, bringing together neighborhood organizations, philanthropy, government, and intermediaries to strengthen collaboration and advance equitable development across the city.

CDAD Website

Strategic Initiatives

Community Development Priorities for Detroit

CDO Fund Description

Strong CDOs are essential to creating and sustaining thriving neighborhoods. However, many CDOs in Detroit face challenges in accessing funding, technical assistance, and capacity-building resources needed to maximize their impact. These organizations play a vital role in preserving affordable housing, supporting small businesses, advancing youth development, improving land use, creating public space, and advancing economic mobility for residents. Without sustained investment, their ability to drive meaningful change is at risk.

In response to this need, the CDO Fund was established to provide direct financial support, technical assistance, and capacity-building opportunities to Detroit’s CDOs. Managed by Enterprise Community Partners, the CDO Fund strengthens local organizations by equipping them with the tools and resources necessary to implement impactful programs, secure additional funding, and drive long-term community transformation.

About the Opportunity

This role sits at the center of Detroit’s community development ecosystem and will help shape collaboration, investment, and policy that impact neighborhoods across the city. The Senior Director of the CDO Network will steward a network of approximately 37 community development organizations serving neighborhoods across Detroit who are grantees of the CDO Fund. This position supports the ambitions of these organizations, fosters cross-sector collaboration and elevates their collective influence on shaping public policy, and connects CDOs to all parts of the community development ecosystem in Detroit.

This position is an excellent opportunity for a talented professional to engage in meaningful issues affecting Detroit residents. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and effective team player eager to facilitate the collective vision and goals of CDAD & Enterprise Community Partners’ teams and external partners. This position serves as an adept convener and connector across philanthropy, government, and CDO leaders. This dynamic and evolving role requires flexibility, strong facilitation and problem-solving skills, and the ability to lead complex collaborations among diverse stakeholders.

Reporting

This senior leadership position reports to CDAD’s Executive Director and works in close collaboration with CDAD’s Public Policy and Ecosystem Building staff and in partnership with Enterprise Community Partners, which administers the CDO Fund.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate a cohort of community development organizations by convening regular meetings that foster relationships, facilitate shared decision-making, and move the group to collective action
• Plan and coordinate learning opportunities for CDO Fund grantees
• Build strong working relationships across culture, age, race, and organization size
• Connect CDOs to wider ecosystem-level work including CDAD’s public policy and advocacy work, ecosystem building work, and field building activities
• Help CDOs build and maintain partnerships with philanthropy, intermediaries, policymakers, elected officials, and program staff working on issues impacting neighborhoods
• Represent CDAD in several collaborative spaces including a table of intermediaries providing capacity-building services to CDOs
• Design programs and strategy with the CDAD team that supports CDOs to meet their missions
• Implement strong collaborative processes including setting strategic meeting agendas, maintaining a culture of accountability, and facilitating action-oriented dialogue
• Steward and track progress, communicating key takeaways and next steps from convenings to inform future strategy and action
• Qualifications and Preferred Requirements
• Ability to work with a diverse set of stakeholders, including community development organizations, block clubs, CDFIs, intermediaries, academic institutions, government officials
• At least 7 years of experience in community development, public policy, urban planning, community organizing, real estate development, public health, or related fields, including experience leading collaborative initiatives or partnerships
• Experience with a variety of facilitation techniques to bring groups to consensus, present complex information, and move groups through action
• Ability to draw connections between CDO priorities and opportunities for partnership, advocacy, and education
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction and as part of a team
• Proven experience in project management and multiple project coordination
• Knowledge of federal, state, and municipal housing programs and land use is strongly preferred
• Deep knowledge and ties to Detroit’s community development ecosystem, issues impacting neighborhoods, and nonprofit management
• Experience in conflict resolution, equity-centered work, and healing-centered practices
• Experience in building and nurturing networks, coalitions, or communities of practice that encompass a range of perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds
• Experience growing online/offline community through art, mobilization, and/or organizing
• Responsive to change and committed to learning, ensuring smooth transitions when job descriptions or priorities shift

Salary and Benefits

Salary between $85,000–$95,000, commensurate with experience

CDAD staff enjoy health, dental, vision, and life insurance with a 3% employer retirement match

CDAD is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive organization. Our core values are equity, diversity, integrity, and respect. Candidates from all equity-seeking groups are encouraged to apply.

This posting will be open until a suitable candidate is found.

CDAD staff enjoy health, dental, vision, and life insurance with a 3% employer retirement match.