Director of Special Projects & Chief of Staff
15 days ago
New York
Job Description THE COMPANY The Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) is a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that mobilizes capital and partners to achieve opportunity, equity, and wellbeing for people and communities. LIIF innovates financial solutions to create more equitable outcomes for all by building and preserving affordable homes, quality educational opportunities from early childhood through higher education, health clinics, healthy food retail, and community facilities. In this way, LIIF provides a bridge between private capital markets and communities. LIIF’s headquarters is in San Francisco, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. POSITION SUMMARY The Director of Special Projects and Chief of Staff to the President (“the COS”) is a critically important role, enabling the President to work more effectively with internal and external stakeholders and fulfill her commitments to partners, funders, and the Board of Directors. This is a strategic and facilitative role that requires a combination of focus and flexibility, as well as a willingness to play an active, behind-the-scenes role. The role requires a highly resourceful individual with strong emotional intelligence, self-motivation, and strong analytical skills. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS The COS reports to the President. The COS is a member of the Community Investment Programs (CIP) leadership team, along with the SVP Chief Program Officer, SVP Chief Credit Officer, SVP Chief Lending Officer, and SVP Early Care & Education. The COS will assist the President in maintaining strong relationships with peers as well as direct reports. The CIP Division is comprised of the following teams: National Programs, Lending, Credit Risk Management, and Early Care & Education. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership of Special Projects * Scope, plan, and execute multiple, often quick-turnaround projects with minimal outside assistance. Present ideas for special projects that would facilitate the President’s/leadership’s objectives. Lead inter-departmental projects to advance LIIF’s strategic and operational goals. * Convene stakeholders, develop work and staffing plans, support the President in engaging the executive team, create memos and presentation materials, and coordinate with staff to ensure completion of necessary work to move projects forward. * Past COS-led projects include the development and launch of the Family Child Care Access to Capital Pilot, a lending profitability model, a CIP-wide data management plan, and exploratory research and proposal development for a new community ownership program. Future projects will be based on business needs and the COS’s skills and interests. * Work with stakeholders—including CIP, Finance, Legal, Operations, Development, Policy, and HR staff, as well as external parties—on analyses to support CIP goals, enhance organizational sustainability, and improve efficiency. * Present findings and recommendations to the President, Executive staff, CIP leadership, or other LIIF teams as appropriate. * Oversee project transitions to internal stakeholders as needed. Project Coordination / Management * Project manage long-term, complex projects involving multiple teams and external stakeholders—often those where the President’s involvement is essential. * Develop work plans, convene and facilitate meetings, socialize project recommendations, communicate updates, and ensure successful project completion with appropriate handoff. * Previous examples include revamping LIIF’s Lending Manual, managing RFPs for major contracts, and developing a methodology to measure racial equity progress. * Future projects may include implementation of Bias in Lending project recommendations. * Work with CIP leadership to align their actions and communications with organizational goals, ensure the President’s direction is understood, and facilitate two-way communication between the President and the CIP leadership team. * Ensure the President is regularly updated on key project status and initiatives. Communications * Manage the President’s communications agenda in collaboration with the Communications team. This includes developing an annual communications calendar, editing content to reflect the President’s voice, preparing presentations, and managing ad hoc communications efforts. * If the COS has relevant subject matter expertise, contribute to internal policy discussions and co-develop thought leadership content. * Prepare follow-up correspondence from internal and external meetings as directed. * Provide the President with timely updates on all communication materials. CIP Staff Support * Collaborate with the CIP leadership team to plan and execute staff trainings, feedback sessions, and retreats. * Support staff in identifying workflow or process issues and implementing solutions. Key Meeting Preparation / Facilitation * Work with the President’s Executive Assistant to remain informed of upcoming commitments. * For internal and external meetings, confirm objectives, recommend participants, and advise on meeting format. * Prepare the President for meetings via memos or verbal briefings. * Support Quarterly Board preparation, including drafting the President’s Report and reviewing materials in advance. Workplans, Goals, and Budgets * Assist the President in developing the CIP annual departmental workplan and goals. * Track progress throughout the year. * Coordinate the annual Budget process with Finance and the CIP leadership team, including collecting inputs, producing the first draft, and supporting refinements through Board approval. * Disseminate final Budgets to CIP staff. KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED * 7+ years of experience in the nonprofit, foundation, or public sector; at least 2 years of management experience preferred * Strong written and oral communication skills * Demonstrated commitment to social justice and racial equity * Strong project management skills with a track record of successfully implementing organizational change * Collaborative team orientation with an ability to build consensus and resolve challenges * Ability to lead without formal authority * Preferred attributes: * Familiarity with CDFIs, affordable housing, impact management, and/or early care and education * Experience with financial modeling, econometrics, or statistical analysis * Nonprofit operations experience, particularly with data management and systems EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS * Bachelor’s degree required * Occasional travel to LIIF offices and events HOW TO APPLY Please apply with your resume and cover letter via our recruitment portal: LIIF Career Portal – Chief of Staff Application NOTICE TO THIRD-PARTY RECRUITMENT AGENCIES LIIF does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. Without an executed Recruitment Services Agreement, LIIF is not obligated to pay referral fees or compensation. Unsolicited resumes—including those submitted to hiring managers—will be deemed the property of LIIF. We do not accept unsolicited phone calls. Only candidates under consideration will be contacted. LIIF, an Equal Opportunity Employer, believes that diversity ensures excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or national origin. Candidates of diverse backgrounds and experiences are strongly encouraged to apply.