Program Officer, Housing

BACKGROUND:

The Phoenix LISC program has experience developing the infrastructure of this broad variety of local, community-based organizations by providing technical and financial assistance - building capacity, sharing best practices, and providing project investments to support local solutions to community needs. Since 1992 LISC Phoenix has invested $505.8 million locally. This investment created 9,412 affordable housing units and 713,301 square feet of commercial space. Working with our affiliate National Equity Fund $346.2 million of tax credit equity has been leveraged for $1,2 billion of community development activity in Arizona.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

LISC Phoenix is seeking a skilled and experienced individual passionate about affordable housing and equitable development to provide financial and technical assistance to community development partners, supporting partnerships in diverse communities throughout the state. This individual will also be responsible for the coordination and management of the Housing Development Training Institute.

The successful candidate should have experience with affordable housing programs and tools including LIHTC, with a commitment to community-based development, an ability to originate loans and desire to share knowledge by providing technical assistance to local groups. The candidate must have the capacity to simultaneously work on multiple tasks, set priorities for a challenging workload with great organization, initiative, attention to detail, and timely follow-through, as well as high standards for accuracy and efficiency. This is a full-time position based in Phoenix, AZ. Occasional travel throughout Arizona will be required, and limited other travel.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Program Officer for Housing works with the Executive Director to develop and execute a program of strategic housing investments to advance the goals of the LISC Phoenix strategic plan. Primary areas of focus include building capacity of community development corporations and building partnerships with nonprofit and for-profit development entities in coordination with state and local agencies, including sourcing affordable housing development and preservation lending opportunities.

Principal areas of responsibility will include:

• Building partnerships: Provide project technical assistance to local groups in both urban and rural/suburban Arizona. Assist Community Development Corporations (CDCs) and other mission-oriented non-profit and for-profit partners with real estate development and related community development strategies for neighborhood revitalization. Strengthen and expand external relationships with state funding agencies (such as ADOH), county and municipal housing departments, private financial institutions, and other program partners. Align affordable housing initiatives to advance LISC Phoenix priorities across sectors, partners, advocates, health institutions, local government, and other stakeholders in affordable housing
• Strategic Planning: Develop strategies that increase opportunities for affordable housing production and preservation, through changes in public policy and providing access to capital, technical assistance, and capacity building
• Organizational Capacity Building: Participate in LISC capacity-building activities for CDCs and community partners, including organizational assessment, technical assistance and training. Lead the implementation of the Housing Developers Training Institute (HDTI) including, but not limited to, recruiting and vetting participants, managing and supporting training consultants, facilitating cohort meetings, and sharing best practices in community development and affordable housing development.
• Project Investments: Originate a pipeline of LISC investments that are critical to growth of the Phoenix lending portfolio. Assess project feasibility as well as borrower financial capacity by conducting due diligence reviews and originating loans that meet LISC Phoenix's program goals. Work with national LISC credit and legal staff to manage the closing and asset management process. Identifying projects for access to green capital
• Grants Management: Administers grants/contracts between LISC and community-based organizations, through the lifecycle of the contract, including drafting, monitoring compliance, evaluating performance, processing payment requests, and maintaining contractual records
• Internal relationships: Maintain internal relationships with LISC Housing and other national and local staff and National Equity Fund
• Outreach and Resource Development: Represent LISC in affordable housing collaborations. Collaborate with National and local staff to attract new funding sources and engage institutional partners. Raise the visibility of affordable housing activities by generating project and partner success stories that support office-wide communications strategy
• Reporting and Communications: Prepare reports and presentations for funders, investors and the LISC Phoenix Local Advisory Committee as needed

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university required, preferably in urban planning, community development, economic development, public policy or relevant work experience in a related field
• At least 3 years of experience in affordable housing development and/or community-based real estate development, preferably in the non-profit sector, with knowledge of programs and tools for financing real estate projects such as LIHTC
• Highly motivated, solution-oriented, individual who is self-directed, able to successfully balance multiple priorities, and be flexible. Follow-through, attention to detail, and strong written and verbal communication skills are required
• Demonstrated understanding of neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing issues; familiarity with Arizona's urban neighborhoods, suburbs, and rural communities preferred
• Demonstrated capacity to originate loans and analyze quantitative and qualitative information. Knowledge of financing products for real estate development, such as predevelopment, acquisition, construction, bridge and permanent loans; lines of credit; and tax equity. Experience in lending, project management or related field preferred. Underwriting experience is not required
• Strong understanding of and experience with community development financial programs, including but not limited to Low Income Housing Tax Credits and federal and state tax credit and subsidy programs
• Demonstrated ability and desire to share knowledge by providing technical assistance to local organizations with varying levels of experience in housing development
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically to develop and implement program goals
• Ability to work simultaneously on multiple tasks and projects, set priorities and coordinate with multiple internal and external parties to meet project guidelines
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial justice, and dedicated to embedding these values across all programmatic activities
• Flexibility to effectively collaborate and provide high level of customer service to clients and colleagues, present information, and write cohesive reports for audiences with varying degrees of expertise
• Excellent computer skills including competency in full Microsoft Office suite

COMPENSATION:

LISC offers a competitive salary ($65,300 - $81,600; salary commensurate with experience and location)* and excellent fringe benefits. Relocation support is available for eligible candidates in alignment with company guidelines.