VSCLT Chief Executive Officer

VSCLT Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

About VSCLT

Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust (VSCLT)partners with communities across the Commonwealth of Virginia to create permanently affordable homes for low- and moderate-income families. Through an innovative, adaptable, and scalable approach rooted in the community land trust model, we empower Virginians to build lasting equity, stability, and opportunity for generations to come. Applicants are encouraged to learn more about VSCLT by exploring our website: www.vsclt.org.

Position Summary

The CEO of the Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust serves as a key figure leading both the vision and the daily operations of the VSCLT. The CEO will oversee implementation of the VSCLT’s mission with a specific focus on:

• Developing and coordinating the placement of homes into the VSCLT;
• A strong client-centric ethos, supporting current and future homeowners with high-quality service reflecting known best practices and promising new approaches for “stewardship”;
• Growing the financial and organizational capacity of the organization;
• Building relationships across the state with funders, developers, localities, and Habitat for Humanity affiliates;
• Ensuring strong operational and financial structures to support the long-term sustainability of the organization’s mission-focused work.

Candidate Qualifications

The ideal candidate would have direct experience with the community land trust model, increasingly responsible leadership and management experience in small and growing nonprofit organizations, knowledge of the Virginia housing ecosystem, an established network of professional contacts in the housing industry, and an entrepreneurial and creative approach to the challenge of affordable homeownership.

Specific skills and experience include:

• 10 years of experience working in affordable housing, community land trusts, planning, architecture, community development fields , preferred but , public administration, non-profit development, or a related field will be considered;
• A demonstrated strong track record of progressively responsible, hands-on leadership and management positions, ideally in startup or early development nonprofit organizations;
• Demonstrated complex analysis, writing, and project management skills;
• Comfort and skill with public speaking and direct service work;
• Fluent in technology platforms including Microsoft Office, Google Suite; proficient with databases and communications platforms. Experience with Monday.com, Salesforce, or similar CRM platforms is a plus;
• Demonstrated understanding of structural racism, and knowledge of and commitment to personal growth around J.E.D.I. (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) principles and practices, especially within the context of housing, real estate, and lending;
• Willingness to approach working with diverse groups of stakeholders, ranging from client homebuyers to government bodies, with openness, patience, and dedication to the complicated nature of homebuying, lending, affordability, and community land trusts;
• Expertise in the community land trust field, or a strong background in affordable housing with an eagerness and ability to adapt and learn the intricacies of the model.

Black and Indigenous persons and other People of Color are encouraged to apply. Proficiency in Spanish, while not required, is an asset for this position.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

Program Implementation

• Provides expertise in the CLT model for affordable housing and VSCLT’s unique approach to it, including but not limited to VSCLT’s use of the ground leases, resale formula menu, and CLT mortgage lenders;
• Manages growing pipeline of VSCLT homes through developer partnerships as well as direct acquisition and rehabilitation or construction of homes when feasible;
• Educates new development partners, closing agents, lenders and other stakeholders on the VSCLT model and closing process;
• Conducts the acquisition closing process in partnership with buyers, partner developers, closing/settlement offices, lenders and attorneys;
• Works with the Board to develop and implement policies reflective of VSCLT’s mission and goals, as well as CLT and affordable housing best practices;
• Oversees homeowner and homebuyer engagement processes with partners, including purchasing, selling, and ongoing homeowner and asset stewardship;
• Oversees developing and maintaining relationships with existing VSCLT homeowners;
• Promotes trust and transparency between VSCLT homeowners and VSCLT administrators.

Outreach and Partnerships

• Leads communication about the VSCLT model, products and services to a wide range of stakeholders, including but not limited to: potential homebuyers, affiliate developers, sellers, partner entities, real estate professionals, funders, media, government officials, and national shared equity intermediaries;
• Develops, leads, and maintains knowledge of the VSCLT’s unique model, including building a pathway to sustainable growth through collaborative, local, regional and statewide partnerships with a wide array of stakeholders;
• Develop and maintain active relationships with the VSCLT Board to support oversight and guidance of program development;
• Maintain and expand active relationships with lenders statewide that are able to underwrite to CLT buyers;
• Promotes partnership and collaboration with the VSCLT amongst developers statewide.

Fundraising

• Raises funds through grants and program-related income to support operations and expansion of the organization and its mission;
• Develops and maintains critical relationships with banks and other financing institutions to facilitate homebuyer mortgage opportunities, as well as catalyze philanthropic investments into the CLT work;
• Cultivates relationships with grantmaking organizations and other funders to establish a solid base of funding partnerships throughout the state.

Operations and Finance

• Maintains a comprehensive database of VSCLT closings, properties, homeowners, and all related activity and documentation;
• Ensures administrative and operational excellence working with staff, partners and consultants;
• Manages annual budgeting and oversees bookkeeping, accounting and auditing of the organization’s finances;
• Manages staff and consultants and advises the Board of Directors on the need for growth in staff capacity.

Terms of Employment

• Starting salary of $80,000 - $100,000 depending on qualifications.
• This position is a full time, exempt position. The CEO reports to the Board of Directors.
• Benefits include remote work with a flexible 35 hour work week, generous holidays and paid time off (vacation, sick, and personal days).
• Employees are eligible for additional benefits after 3 months of full-time employment.
• The position will offer a mix of remote and in-person office work options. Some evenings and/or weekend work will be required, as well as travel around the state as appropriate.

Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, veteran or disability status. VSCLT is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.