Director of Innovation

Illinois Housing Development • Chicago, IL

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Innovation is responsible for identifying strategies and opportunities to help IHDA to fulfill its mission. The incumbent will locate and identify funds available to IHDA and design new programs that best utilize and deploy such funds in accordance with the guidelines and requirements of such resources as well as advise IHDA’s Executive staff regarding all aspects of the funds and new programs. This position requires creativity, critical thinking, communication, strategic thinking, and problem solving to find and develop creative solutions for the complex issues involved with financing the creation and preservation of affordable housing in Illinois.

Requirements

• Bachelors’ degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, Marketing, Planning or a related field.
• Between seven and ten years of experience with work in government, nonprofit and/or affordable housing.
• Strong creative and strategic background;
• Skilled decision maker;
• Data-driven mind set;
• Knowledge of research methods;
• Solid analytical and organizational skills;
• Customer service driven;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Strong presentation skills;
• Strong Microsoft Office skills including, but not limited to, Excel and PowerPoint. State-wide travel may be required

Responsibilities

• Liaise with community partners to strategically identify housing needs and then develop innovative solutions relevant to IHDA to address those needs. Needs are likely to be identified through interaction in the community, through outside research, and internally from IHDA staff and research.
• Help lead the design of the new product or program creating ad hoc teams to support the work.
• Research areas of opportunity and risk; identify funding and detect funding issues; draft proposals and advocate for their approval.
• As new tools and programs are created, help locate where in IHDA they will be housed for most effective implementation. Help train staff in the purpose and need for the program or product.
• Educate and provide objective direction to the Executive staff in connection with new programs.
• Lead, motivate, and rally teams around critical issues and initiatives in connection with new programs.
• Assist the Executive staff with discussing solid ideas, objectives, and plans regarding new programs to other governmental entities.
• Oversee collection and reporting of data and statistics connected with new programs.
• Assist IHDA with building and maintaining strategic relationships with legislators and other leaders.
• Proactively anticipate and respond to affordable housing opportunities and changes.
• Assist and work closely with other IHDA departments to create and implement new ideas and processes to achieve IHDA program initiatives.
• Contribute to overall strategic planning, direction, and goal setting for IHDA.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Paid time off, plus paid holidays
• Currently in a hybrid work arrangement, but candidates must reside in Illinois at time of hire.
• Medical/dental/vision/life insurance plans
• Short/long term disability
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flex spending
• 401K plan – immediate vesting
• IHDA employees may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs.
• Salary: $131,761 - $164,701

What This Job Offers

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