Executive Director - EPACANDO

EPACANDO•Palo Alto, CA

29d•Onsite

About The Position

EPACANDO (East Palo Alto Community Alliance and Neighborhood Development Organization) is a membership-based nonprofit in East Palo Alto, CA, dedicated to building a more just city through the development of permanently affordable housing and homeownership assistance programs. For nearly four decades, EPACANDO has been an anchor institution in one of the Bay Area’s most historically disinvested communities, rooted in a deep commitment to racial and economic justice. EPACANDO’s affordable housing programs use both production and preservation strategies to prevent displacement and foster placekeeping: We co-develop permanently affordable rental housing; assist residents in acquiring and maintaining homeownership; and support an affiliated community land trust (CLT). EPACANDO also serves as the administrator of the City of East Palo Alto’s Below-Market Rate Homeownership program, which are the affordable homes developed through the City’s inclusionary housing policy. The organization has co-developed over 600 affordable apartments and has aided and counseled more than 3,500 homeowners. For more, please visit www.epacando.org .

Requirements

Minimum seven to ten years of nonprofit management or affordable housing development experience, including ability to oversee real estate projects, review pro formas and loan agreements, and direct technical partners
Strong written and verbal communication skills; confident public speaker and persuasive communicator who can speak clearly about housing justice and relevant housing models
Demonstrated track record in funder cultivation and diversifying revenue; experience leading organizations through periods of financial challenge or growth
Experience working with and reporting to a Board of Directors; familiarity with nonprofit governance best practices
Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with government entities, community partners, co-developers, banks, and financial institutions
Demonstrated commitment to racial, economic, and housing justice, including experience working with a diverse community and with an equity lens
Strong financial analysis skills to oversee organization’s finances and report to the Board
Commitment to EPACANDO’s mission

Nice To Haves

Deep roots in or lived experience of East Palo Alto or a comparable Bay Area community; candidates from outside the region should demonstrate grassroots/movement experience and commitment to community-centered leadership
Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Urban Planning, Public Policy, Nonprofit Management, Social Work, or equivalent) and master’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy, Social Work, Business, or a related field
Knowledge of HUD, affordable housing policy, and local, state, and federal housing resources and agencies
Working knowledge of real-estate finance strongly preferred
Experience with community land trust (CLT) models

Responsibilities

Lead overall strategy for organization, including but not limited to: Business planning for real-estate development and management, Portfolio growth, including affiliated community land trust (CLT), Policy advocacy, Staff management and growth, Organizational development
Cultivate new funding sources and lead grant writing, donor campaigns, and funder relationships
Continue to strengthen the organization’s financial sustainability and annual revenue growth
Grow membership roster to maintain Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) status
Prepare and manage the annual budget; review financial statements with the Senior Accountant
Oversee and continuously improve financial and asset management systems to support strong financial planning now and over time
Maintain transparent reporting to the Board on the organization’s financial health
Direct EPACANDO’s affordable housing production and preservation work, including: Partnering with nonprofit developers to build and manage affordable apartments; Acquiring and rehabilitating scattered, small-site properties to keep homeowners in their homes or to create new affordable ownership homes; Facilitating homeowners’ development of accessory dwelling units; Participate in advocacy planning and advocacy work, locally, regionally, and through coalitions
Direct the ongoing administration of the City of East Palo Alto’s Below Market Rate Homeownership program
Support the sustainable growth of EPACANDO’s affiliate, Pahali Community Land Trust
Direct counseling and referrals services to tenants and homeowners, as resources permit
Supervise, nurture, and support staff
Build a positive and productive work environment
Encourage growth and accountability among staff
Develop internal leadership capacity through mentorship and by identifying professional development opportunities
Prepare the board meeting agenda and all supporting documentation
Implement board-directed organizational development tasks including orientations, retreats, committee, administration, etc.
Collaborate with Board Chair and Governance Committee on board recruitment, onboarding, and governance development; rebuild committee structure and strengthen board policies
Work in partnership with staff to activate and grow the membership body, including annual meetings, elections, and dues collection; build meaningful community participation in organizational governance
Build and strengthen relationships with community members and community partners, understanding that strong leadership means being accountable to the organization and its board and to community members, families, and residents who are directly impacted by this work
Maintain and build collaborative relationships with city and county officials, co-developers, foundations, and government agencies
Represent EPACANDO externally through media, public speaking, and strategic communications; direct implementation of a marketing plan across social media and other channels