Executive Director
Company: Women's Community Revitalization Project
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Job Function: Other
Background
About Women’s Community Revitalization Project
Women’s Community Revitalization Project (WCRP) is a non-profit organization established and run by women for the purpose of creating deeply affordable housing and promoting the leadership of low-income women in Philadelphia. Our model depends on building the voice and power of our constituents, who serve on our board and committees and who participate in planning WCRP’s work. We recognize all stakeholders – constituents, staff, board and other volunteers – as learners and teachers and proactively create opportunities for people to lead and cultivate new strengths.
A primary goal of WCRP has been to develop high quality housing that is affordable to low-income women and their families. Our first housing development was completed in 1990. To date, WCRP has created 382 units of housing with another 112 homes under construction or in predevelopment. To carry out this work, we have innovated and utilized every possible financing strategy to ensure that our units are deeply affordable to low-income families.
As WCRP’s reputation for developing high quality, truly affordable housing has grown, so has our dedication to the economic strength of low-income women. We’ve provided supportive services for our own tenants with a goal of encouraging housing stability and economic well-being. Tenants experience a 57% increase in income over their first four years in WCRP housing.
For over 20 years, WCRP has also spearheaded collective efforts to fight for land and increased resources for affordable housing, and to minimize the negative effects of gentrification. These campaigns, carried out with a city-wide coalition of 77 organizations, have
• Engaged and developed the constituent leadership of hundreds of individuals
• Resulted in $800 million in new resources for affordable housing, and
• Led to the creation of two municipal entities to administer land and housing resources
Summary
The Opportunity
WCRP is seeking an Executive Director (ED) who will oversee our work spanning affordable housing development, supportive services, property and asset management, community outreach, organizing, and advocacy while also while positioning the organization to adapt to the evolving needs of the communities we serve. Working closely with staff, board members and external partners, the ED will provide visionary leadership and foster innovative solutions that build on WCRP’s legacy of excellence, deepen our impact across Philadelphia, and build the power of constituents and the organization.
This is an exciting opportunity for a mission-driven leader with a passion for social justice and community development to step into a leadership role within one of Philadelphia’s strongest organizations dedicated to affordable housing.
Responsibilities
Candidate Profile
While no one candidate will have all the experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and attributes:
Passion for the Mission
Overall, the ideal candidate for this position will be able to champion how our simultaneous strategies of real estate development, property management, supportive services, community organizing, and leadership development are essential to the success of our mission. The Executive Director role requires experience and/or familiarity with the field of affordable housing development, along with a strong understanding of public policy issues affecting low-income women and their families. The candidate will believe in the power of advocacy, coalition building, community organizing, and leadership development to advance policies that promote economic and social well-being. They will understand the connection between our goals and the need to maintain best practices in supportive services and property management.
Ideally, the ED will have lived and/or professional experience in understanding the communities WCRP serves. Related work experience may be in community organizing and/or community and economic development, including financing, policy, regulatory compliance, project management, or equity-focused initiatives such as community land trusts.
Vision and Strategic Thinker
With a commitment to holistic community development, the ED will ensure WCRP stays abreast of needs in the communities we serve as well as trends in real estate development, supportive services, property management, and community organizing to drive our mission forward. The ED will provide strategic leadership to guide the organization through short, medium, and long-term visioning. They will oversee the development and implementation of goals, objectives, and work plans across programmatic areas and administrative functions, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and values.
Nonprofit Administration and Governance
The ED will ensure that the organization remains compliant with its bylaws, internal policies, and external regulations, fostering accountability and operational excellence. Working closely with the Deputy Director, CFO and team leads for real estate development, community organizing, supportive services and asset management as well as the Board of Directors and its committees, the ED will ensure effective oversight and collaboration to drive successful programs and organizational growth.
Fundraising and Financial Management
The ED will oversee fundraising and financial management, ensuring the organization’s fiscal health and sustainability. The ED will have a track record of raising revenue from diversified sources and will set priorities and lead strategic efforts in fundraising, grant seeking, borrowing, and investing, working closely with the Deputy Director to secure adequate funding for WCRP’s initiatives.
The ED will also lead the development, implementation and oversight of annual operating budgets for WCRP and its developments, ensuring that the organization and its housing developments (separate entities) are in strong financial positions. Regularly engaging with the Finance Committee, the ED will review financial statements and provide leadership to align financial planning with the organization’s mission and long-term goals.
Relationship Building
The Executive Director will serve as a dynamic representative and advocate for WCRP, articulating its mission, priorities, and impact to a broad range of constituent groups including residents, funders, and elected officials. This individual will reinforce WCRP’s strong reputation in the sector, while cultivating relationships that advance the organization’s goals. A natural convener and network builder, the ED will share WCRP’s story, champion our work, and deepen engagement with the communities we serve.
Requirements
In addition, strong candidates will offer:
• Strategic thinker with the ability to take a long-term, thoughtful approach to achieving Strategic thinking with the ability to take a long-term, thoughtful approach to achieving organizational goals
• Ability to attract, develop, retain, motivate, and lead staff while maintaining a high level of performance and a leadership style that is collaborative and inclusive
• Demonstrated experiences in decisively setting priorities, overseeing finances, delegating responsibilities, assuring accountability, and allocating resources to ensure results
• Understanding of and respect for populations with diverse cultural and economic backgrounds
• Strong communication including exceptional listening skills and an openness to new ideas
• Prior experience working with elected officials
• Understanding of issues affecting low-income women and their families and how political advocacy, coalition building, community organizing, and grassroots leadership advance policies that promote economic and social well-being.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $145,000 – $170,000 with benefits.