Vice President and Community Affairs Officer

Federal Reserve System•Baltimore, MD

2d•$222,600 - $306,130•Onsite

About The Position

The Research department seeks a Vice President (VP) and Community Affairs Officer (CAO) for Community Development. Reporting to the Group Vice President for Regional Economics, the VP/CAO provides strategic leadership and direction for the Community Development function, leading a collaborative team of professionals focused on surfacing insights, identifying challenges and opportunities affecting economic participation, and evaluating and elevating solutions that support low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities across the Fifth District, with a particular focus on small towns and rural areas. The VP/CAO oversees two specialized teams within Community Development: one focused on capital pathways and another focused on workforce pathways. Both teams work collaboratively with researchers and analytical staff to understand the dynamics of the region, advance projects such as the national Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Survey, and other initiatives that inform community development practice and policy. A signature responsibility of this role is oversight of the Rural Investment Collaborative, a multi-year initiative that brings together stakeholders across sectors to increase the flow of investment capital to rural businesses and communities in the Fifth District.

Requirements

At least ten years of high-level leadership experience in developing and managing community development strategies for high-profiled, multifaceted, and multi-divisional organizations
Strong networking skills and deep relationships within the business, non-profit, public policy, and philanthropic sectors; established relationships with small town/rural-focused organizations is a plus
Proven ability to design and lead strategic initiatives in partnership with cross-functional teams and to set strategy, vision, and goals, and to drive team accountability and results
Strong understanding of capital pathways and workforce development ecosystems, including community development finance, small business lending, workforce training systems, and economic mobility strategies.
Proven success in leading people, managing multidisciplinary teams, and overseeing complex projects or initiatives with multiple stakeholders and timelines.
Strong interest in and experience developing initiatives to address challenges and opportunities in small towns and rural/small areas
Record of success in establishing and overseeing high-impact community programs that align with organizational mission and goals with proven ability to implement innovative solutions
Demonstrated track record of strong oral, written and presentation skills to engage broad audiences (executive, researchers, and grassroots) and achieve desired outcomes
Ability to clearly synthesize information and articulate points of view, and the ability to engage, challenge, and influence others’ thinking to sharpen insights and inform thinking throughout an organization
Demonstrated experience in an environment with a culture of collaboration and consensus driven decision-making
Bachelor’s degree in public policy, economics, or a related field required

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree is preferred

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of community development strategy for the Bank and contribute to community development strategy at the System level
Oversee the Community Development team engaged in developing and sustaining key community relationships, partnerships and programs with organizations focused on the LMI communities across the Fifth District, and with organizations engaged in the economic vitality of small towns and rural areas
Lead the Rural Investment Collaborative's convening and partnership activities, bringing together diverse stakeholders to address barriers to rural investment and entrepreneurship.
Serve as a key internal connector—ensuring that the community development perspective is integrated into research, external engagement, government relations, and communications, and is a helpful input into policy and research products and processes
Lead and organize staff efforts to sense priority issues and emerging trends affecting LMI communities, through proactive and intentional engagement with key stakeholders; contribute to and guide synthesis of the most salient issues facing LMI communities and develop understanding of the implications of policies that are designed to address these issues
Identify and recruit advisory council members and serve as a primary point of contact with the members for the Bank; participate in the Bank’s cross-functional advisory council and Board of Director planning
Support team planning for Bank/President regional and community visits, and other events as required
Actively engage in, and lead, Federal Reserve System committees and initiatives, serving on the System's CAO subcommittee, to both learn from other Reserve Banks as well as ensure that the expertise and perspectives of the Richmond Fed's district are represented
Serve as the main point of contact with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors Division of Community and Consumer Affairs on matters related to LMI communities and the Community Reinvestment Act