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

Positively Partners•Boston, MA

7d•$180,000 - $210,000•Hybrid

About 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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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
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
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
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
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