Community Development Block Grant Director

State of Iowa • Des Moines - 50315 - Polk County, IA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Lead programs that strengthen communities and improve lives across Iowa. The Iowa Economic Development Authority is seeking a collaborative, mission-driven leader to serve as CDBG Director, overseeing the administration of Iowa’s federally funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and CDBG–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) programs. This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-impact team, guide millions of dollars in federal investments, and make a lasting difference in the lives of Iowans by supporting strong, resilient communities, especially those facing economic or disaster-related challenges.

About Us: The Iowa Economic Development Authority is dedicated to making Iowa the choice for people and business by building partnerships, leveraging resources, and strengthening economic and community vitality. IEDA administers several state and federal programs focused on business and community development to reach its goals of assisting individuals, communities, and businesses. Whether it is an enterprise or start up, a rural community seeking to preserve its history and highlight its arts and culture, or a community recovering from a disaster, IEDA creates opportunities for Iowans to thrive.

Requirements

• Proven experience leading teams through change and managing complex programs.
• Strong knowledge of or the ability to learn federal grant programs and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience with community development, housing, infrastructure, disaster recovery or federally funded programs is highly valued.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, demonstrated through the ability to navigate difficult conversations and practice attentive listening.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex regulations clearly.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and experience equal to four years of full-time work in program administration, development, management, or operations.
• Eight years of full-time work experience in program administration, development, management, or operations.
• Four years of full-time work experience in program administration, development, management, or operations, and a combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience (where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience).
• Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.
• Two years of full-time work experience in program administration, development, management, or operations, and a combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience (where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work equals one year of full-time experience), and a combination of a total of two years of graduate-level education and full-time experience (where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in a public-service-related area equals one year of full-time experience).
• Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Public Service Supervisor or comparable specific management-level position.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with community development, housing, infrastructure, disaster recovery or federally funded programs is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Provide People-Centered Leadership: Lead, mentor, and coach a team administering CDBG and CDBG-DR programs.
• Build strong working relationships grounded in trust, consistency and accountability.
• Delegate work, monitor progress, and support professional growth through performance management.
• Oversee High-Impact Federal Programs: Direct the coordination, execution, and oversight of HUD-funded programs in compliance with federal regulations and state law.
• Establish and improve systems that enhance customer service, consistency, and program effectiveness.
• Make informed, data-driven decisions regarding program design, policy, and delivery.
• Oversee reporting, monitoring, and documentation to meet HUD and public transparency requirements.
• Strengthen Partnerships and Public Trust: Serve as a primary point of contact for communities, stakeholders, legislators, and federal partners.
• Communicate complex regulatory requirements clearly and effectively.
• Represent Iowa’s programs at conferences, workshops, and stakeholder meetings.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: Enjoy vacation with accruals that rollover on a yearly basis, sick leave with no limits on accrual and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Great Benefits: Excellent Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance options.
• Retirement Plan: IPERS Retirement package and an option for a deferred compensation plan.
• Flexibility: Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care).
• Life Insurance: Free Life Insurance.
• Support: Employee Assistance Programs and Employee Discount Programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager