Executive Director - Dallas Community Land Trust

Communities Foundation of Texas•Dallas, TX

About The Position

The Dallas Community Land Trust (DCLT) is a newly established nonprofit organization dedicated to acquiring, developing, and stewarding land for the purpose of creating and preserving permanently affordable housing opportunities in the City of Dallas for low-to-moderate income families. The organization aims to build and preserve equitable, inclusive, and culturally sustainable neighborhoods and communities. DCLT is a registered charitable organization under IRC § 501(c)(3) with an independent Board of community leaders in housing development and two intermediaries. Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) is incubating DCLT for up to 5 years, providing in-kind back-office support, including hiring the Executive Director as a member of its staff and resources for a team member. The DCLT seeks an Executive Director (ED) to lead the organization in its mission to acquire and steward land for developing and preserving permanently affordable housing in Dallas, and to build trust in an unfamiliar approach. The primary objective is to provide homeownership opportunities for low-income households (60-80% of area median income), with secondary objectives including stewarding non-residential community assets and/or providing affordable rental housing. DCLT plans to grow its portfolio through new construction with developers, renovation of existing homes, and acquisition of existing single-family rental properties. The ED will be responsible for the overall direction, execution, and effectiveness of the organization, overseeing strategic planning, partnerships, marketing, real estate development, community engagement, fiscal management, fundraising, and board relations. The ED will be the public face of DCLT, requiring a dynamic, visionary, and culturally competent leader with an entrepreneurial spirit, committed to increasing access to homeownership through a community-driven approach. This is an opportunity to build a high-impact organization from the ground up with strong backing.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive experience at the executive or management level in non-profit management or a related field
Proven experience in community development, affordable housing, or real estate
Experience in fundraising, grant writing, and budget management
Strong project management and organizational skills
Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills
Bachelor's degree required

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred
Experience with Community Land Trusts or similar shared-equity housing models
Experience in real estate development and affordable housing finance
Knowledge of local housing market conditions and community needs in Dallas

Responsibilities

Continue to develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan aligned with DCLT's mission and vision.
Foster an effective and collaborative relationship with the Board of Directors and committees.
Represent DCLT in the community to promote its mission and enhance its public profile.
Create a clear performance evaluation process in collaboration with Board members, including goals, metrics, and outcomes reporting.
Develop and implement operational plans for property acquisition, real estate development (through partnerships with developers), property management, community outreach, and homeowner support.
Oversee the execution and tracking of operational plans and report results to the Board.
Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations pertaining to Community Land Trusts and affordable housing development organizations.
Oversee the engagement and management of service providers, including risk management, human resources, and financial reporting.
Serve as a key representative of DCLT in the community and with the City of Dallas, advocating for equitable community development practices and shared equity housing models.
Develop and maintain partnerships with other organizations, community groups, and agencies to enhance the impact of DCLT’s work.
Engage with residents and community members to build support for and trust in the DCLT model.
Build and lead a high-performing team that is united around mission and characterized by strong internal coordination.
Build a positive, collaborative, transparent, and ethical organizational culture.
Adhere to human resources policies and practices.
Oversee all operational and financial reporting activities of the organization.
Work with staff, contracted accounting partners, and the Board to prepare a comprehensive budget, administer funds according to the approved budget, monitor monthly cash flow, and provide regular reports to the Board on revenues and expenditures.
Work with the Board to create short-term and 5-year revenue models aligned with programmatic goals to ensure the financial sustainability and solvency of the organization.
Refine and implement the resource development plan in accordance with revenue models and the projected budget.
Guide and lead all fundraising activities, including overseeing the submission of grant proposals and grant reporting.
Ensure compliance with all contract, grant, and regulatory requirements.
Ensure compliance and submission of annual audit, tax, and insurance filings/policies.
Identify and pursue viable property acquisition opportunities, including through the Land Bank and auctions.
Develop and implement strategies for real estate development and property management.
Build and maintain strong relationships with City of Dallas officials, developers, contractors, and other key stakeholders.