Senior Community Development Officer - Housing

Island Institute • Rockland, ME

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Community Development Officer (CDO) for Housing advances Island Institute’s mission by strengthening the capacity of island and coastal communities to navigate housing challenges and to lead initiatives that expand housing opportunity and strengthen local capacity for housing development.
This role will work closely with municipalities, regional partners, housing developers, and community stakeholders to advance strategies that increase the supply, affordability, and sustainability of housing in the region.
The Housing Initiative Lead will support municipal partners in developing housing strategies, improving policies and processes related to housing development, and advancing projects that help communities meet their housing goals. The position requires strong collaboration, project management, and experience working with local governments and other housing stakeholders.

Requirements

• Advanced degree with 5 years’ experience with relevant content and technical expertise or a bachelor’s degree with 8-10 years’ experience with relevant content and technical expertise. Relevant expertise includes experience in housing, planning, community development, municipal government, or related fields.
• Demonstrated community development experience working directly with local governments, nonprofit organizations, or public agencies.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience, including the direct supervision of employees.
• Strong skills related to convening, facilitation, project management, and strategy development.
• Excellent written, analytical, and communication skills.
• Comfort working at the intersection of community priorities, policy, and economic development.
• Commitment to the Island Institute’s mission and values.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with affordable housing finance, housing development, or housing programs.
• Familiarity with zoning reform, housing production strategies, or municipal planning processes.
• Experience facilitating stakeholder engagement and cross-sector collaboration.
• Experience securing or managing grants and public funding programs.
• Knowledge of Maine communities and partner ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Lead Island Institute’s work focused on supporting communities in addressing housing challenges and coordinate internal resources to deliver impact in communities across the coast.
• Shape program strategy and identify emerging opportunities related to housing through deep engagement with communities and partners.
• Serve as a thought partner on issues affecting housing and coastal communities.
• Support partnerships between municipalities, developers, and community organizations to move housing projects forward.
• Strengthen regional coordination by building partnerships with councils of government, economic development districts, state agencies, and other technical assistance providers.
• Develop tools, templates, and guidance documents to support local housing initiatives as well as the sharing of replicable tools and frameworks for communities addressing housing challenges.
• Facilitate workshops, trainings, and peer learning opportunities for municipal leaders and staff.
• Build relationships with municipal leaders, housing developers, state agencies, community groups, and regional partners.
• Manage housing-related work and projects from planning through implementation, including budgets, annual work planning/implementation, and grants to communities, in partnership with the Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer, other programmatic staff, finance, and philanthropy teams.
• Engage with philanthropy staff on proposal development and fundraising strategy, prepare reports, grant deliverables, and presentations for funders.
• Track progress toward housing goals and evaluate program outcomes.
• Supervise staff and/or consultants, as appropriate.
• Coach team members and support professional growth.
• Model collaborative, values-driven leadership.

Benefits

• A benefits program to include health, dental, vision, company provided life insurance, and a 403b plan with an employer match of up to 6% after a year of service.
• A generous paid time off policy.
• 12 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays.
• Island Institute membership benefits.
• Hybrid work environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees