President & CEO Job Description

The Opportunity

Community Capital New York is a federally certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). A nonprofit, innovative lender, Community Capital New York serves  eight  counties  in  the Hudson  Valley  (suburban  New  York  City,  NY)  and  Fairfield  County,   CT,  providing   loans that create quality jobs, revitalize Main Streets, build  affordable  homes  and  generate  tax  revenues  to  foster  opportunity,   change   lives   and   create   impact.   Through   flexible, innovative and responsive lending coupled with financial education, Community Capital New York strives  to  create  economically  healthy  communities  and  enable  traditionally  underserved people to become stakeholders in the Hudson Valley’s and  Fairfield  County's  economy.  Community Capital New York works outside the margins of conventional  finance  to  bring individuals and communities into the economic mainstream and create financial independence through financial, educational and business development  services  to  give  low  to  moderate income people the resources needed to succeed. Community Capital New  York's  Founding President   Kimberlie   Jacobs   has  announced   her   intention   to   retire   effective   June   30,  2021. Community Capital New York's next Chief Executive Officer can  continue  and  grow  its  impact by taking this strong organization to its next level of development and service.

The History

 Community Capital New York began as the Westchester Housing Fund in 1989 to increase  the  supply  of  affordable  housing  in  Westchester  County,   NY.  The  Organization’s   initial  goal  was to provide pre-development funds for affordable housing projects.

In 1998, Community Capital New York expanded its mission as a CDFI to provide affordable small business loans and technical assistance to underserved communities in the lower Hudson Valley, primarily those owned by low income, women and/or minority entrepreneurs.

During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Community Capital New York continues to serve its constituents as a Financial First Responder, originating an innovative Emergency Express Loan program which provided funds for more than 100 companies in  a  three-month  period. The Organization’s response to the pandemic led to additional engagements and opportunities sponsored by several counties in the lower Hudson Valley  to  further  serve  its  clients. Community Capital New York was also recently awarded a Federal CDFI grant to provide additional affordable housing financing.

Community Capital New York is at its strongest financial position with assets of approximately $10 million and its increasing local impact.  The  Board  is  also  exploring  the  possibility  of launching an Impact Investment Fund to expand its mission reach.

The mission-driven Board of Directors is committed to hiring Community Capital New York's next President and CEO to support the diverse communities it serves. The next President and CEO is expected to:

1. Serve Community Capital New York's constituents,
2. Help create strategies to build on the Organization’s strong base,
3. Lead the Organization by setting a vision,
4. Attract and develop a talented team and
5. Establish strategies for the effective and efficient operation of the organization.

Community Capital New York is in a unique position to have a significant impact in its New York and southern Connecticut markets given the area’s  tremendous  need for additional  affordable housing units as well as small business lending and technical assistance.

The President and CEO position

The President and CEO is primarily responsible for four essential functions: strategic leadership, organizational management, governance and support of board operations, and financial oversight.

The President and CEO is to lead the development and implementation of a strategic plan that builds on the strength of the organization, ensures that target clients are well served and fosters financial sustainability for the organization. The President and CEO also is expected to engage and be informed on issues and trends that affect people with low incomes. The President is to be aware of best practices and innovations in the fields of community development finance, impact investing, affordable housing, nonprofit services, small business growth, workforce development, and/or systems change.

In the area of organizational management, the President and CEO is to execute the objectives of the organization in accordance with the strategic plan developed in collaboration with the Board of Directors. The President and CEO plans, directs, and coordinates operational activities of Community Capital New York. As the organization grows, the CEO will restructure the organization to keep it efficient and effective while managing its team.

Another responsibility is to ensure strong human resource systems so that the organization attracts and retains talented staff. This includes individual performance planning, training, recognition, rewards, career growth, and appropriate succession planning. In addition, the CEO needs to ensure that policies, programs, and plans are in concert with the organization's mission and strategic plan and also establish and maintain appropriate systems for measuring organizational performance.

The President and CEO will engage with the Board to assess, agree on and modify, when necessary, the organization’s mission strategy and structure. Also, in partnership with the Board, the President and CEO develops, approves, and monitors appropriate and ambitious multi-year financial plans and annual budgets.

The President and CEO is to collaborate with governmental, not for profit and private organizations to form effective partnerships in service of the mission of the organization.

The President and CEO is expected to proactively enlarge the profile and visibility of the organization among potential partners, funders, investors, policy makers, borrowers, and other critical audiences through attending appropriate local, state and national relevant events.

The President and CEO also is expected to engage and be informed regarding local, state, and national issues and trends that affect people with low incomes, as well as be aware of best practices and innovations in the fields of community development finance, impact investing, affordable housing, nonprofit services, small business growth, workforce development, and/or systems change.

In the area of organizational finance, the President and CEO, working with the CFO and /or COO, is responsible for aligning fiscal policies and systems to allocate resources, measuring performance versus goals, and providing timely reporting for effective planning and management of operational performance and audits. Responsibilities include raising new capital and operational resources from donors, funders, private, corporate, government, and foundation sources to generate revenue sufficient to match and/or exceed annual budgeted expenses.

Finally, the President and CEO is responsible for advancing strategies to improve the long• term sustainability and financial resilience of the organization, its mission-based activities, and its employee-positive operations.

Professional Qualifications

• Minimum of 10-years relevant experience required. Experience in the CDFI Industry (or related field).
• Proven record of successfully building a strong organization and long-lasting relationships, forging and fostering strategic alliances, creating and executing programs, policies and procedures to serve and engage the Organization’s diverse for-profit, non-profit and governmental constituent base.
• Bachelor’s Degree required.

Personal Characteristics:

The ideal candidate will exhibit the following personal characteristics:

• Leadership: Possesses a willingness to lead, take charge and offer opinions and direction while balancing knowing when to listen, follow, delegate, and defer to others.
• Commitment to Community Capital New York's mission and be able to communicate the Organization’s vision and purpose while serving its constituency.
• Strategic Thinking: Seek creative ways to act and deliver on the Organization’ mission while managing issues and obstacles that may arise.
• Development: Recognize and cultivate the potential in others, identifying improvement goals and deriving satisfaction from evidence of progress.
• Desire to learn and continuously seek to improve.
• Communication: Ability to communicate authentically and effectively with diverse audiences.
• Seek to maximize strengths to stimulate personal, team, and group excellence.
• Takes initiative and willing to assume responsibility and ownership of challenges and/or obstacles to success.
• Command presence before audience types and government officials while maintaining composure.
• Ability to problem solve effectively, collaboratively, and creatively.
• Exhibit discipline, honesty, and integrity.

Candidates will be asked to complete a StrengthsFinder survey in conjunction with their application for the position.

Compensation:

The salary range will be commensurate with experience.   Community Capital New York provides a comprehensive and flexible benefits package integrated with compensation.

To apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter to hr@communitycapitalny.org by February 15, 2021 with interviews beginning March 2021.