Director, Green Initiatives, NeighborWorks Capital

Our client, NeighborWorks Capital, seeks a seasoned leader to steer a multi-million dollar federal investment in greenhouse gas reduction via Climate United. For a full job description, visit www.good-insight.org/careers.

About NeighborWorks Capital

NeighborWorks Capital believes that everyone should have a place that they can proudly call home. To make this vision a reality, NeighborWorks Capital designs funding solutions for affiliates in the NeighborWorks America Network, a diverse array of more than 247 non-profit, mission-driven community organizations engaged in affordable housing development, economic development, neighborhood revitalization, and resident and community services in urban, suburban, and rural communities across the United States.

Founded with seed capital from NeighborWorks America in 1994, NeighborWorks Capital is a national nonprofit and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), serving member organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. NeighborWorks Capital financing solutions cover critical costs for predevelopment, land and property acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, and preservation. Learn more at neighborworkscapital.org.

NeighborWorks Capital is a member of Climate United, a broad coalition organized to deploy federal investment from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) capital to support the equitable adoption of green technologies in communities across America, with an emphasis on serving low income and disadvantaged (LIDAC) communities. Learn more at https://weareclimateunited.org/.

Position Summary

The Director, Green Initiatives (Director) will build, implement, and manage NeighborWorks Capital’s greenhouse gas reduction program as the leader of the CDFI lending channel. In partnership with fellow Climate United network members and other GGRF awardees, NeighborWorks Capital will support market-building efforts intended to dramatically expand multifamily building, decarbonization, and energy efficiency investments to create healthy, green, and sustainable properties.

Led by the Director, NeighborWorks’ GGRF program will focus on ensuring that CDFIs, developers, and owners of affordable multifamily properties have access to the knowledge and financial resources needed to incorporate measures that will reduce or eliminate on-site fossil fuels at their properties. Together, NeighborWorks Capital property owners and CDFIs will identify opportunities to decarbonize their portfolios. NeighborWorks Capital will work to connect borrowers and CDFIs to the financial products offered through Climate United. NeighborWorks aims to use the GGRF investment to build its capacity and infrastructure to continue green lending and sustainability-focused projects for the long term.

The Director will collaborate with Climate United partners and other recipients of GGRF funds to lead these efforts and support the wider objective of ensuring that communities have access to the capital they need to participate in and benefit from a cleaner, more sustainable economy.

Specific areas of responsibility include:

Program Development and Management

• Lead the planning, development, and implementation of NeighborWorks Capital’s greenhouse gas reduction program, which is focused on energy-efficient multifamily affordable housing.
• Serve as the lead program partner for Climate United, including managing relationships with organizations in the network and serving as internal and external technical expert on GGRF requirements and products.
• Lead CDFI market-building efforts to support their efforts to identify qualifying projects and originate program-compliant loans.
• Advise NeighborWorks Capital leadership, Board, and the NC Green Advisory Board on strategic decisions to ensure the successful administration of the GGRF award.
• Coordinate with Climate United partners and EPA’s Office of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund staff to ensure program impact and compliance.
• Act as an internal champion for the expansion of green approaches and products.
• Build a team to support NeighborWorks Capital’s Green Initiative, including hiring, managing, developing, and holding accountable to GGRF program goals.

Partnerships, Outreach, and Education

• Conduct direct outreach to CDFIs and NeighborWorks Organizations to expand their knowledge base of technologies, products, and practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help connect them to the financial products available as part of GGRF.
• Coordinate with partners on the development and delivery of training and other educational resources to expand the knowledge base around green technologies and help address the barriers related to the adoption of these technologies in LIDAC communities.
• Work closely with partners including the NeighborWorks America network and Opportunity Finance Network to maximize access to support and capital within the community development field.
• Represent NeighborWorks Capital in community development and climate justice circles as a thought leader. Support and amplify partner efforts to increase public awareness of climate, energy, and environmental issues.

Experience, Skills, and Qualities

The Director position will be a challenging and rewarding opportunity that requires a diverse set of skills and experiences. While we understand that no single candidate can possess every qualification listed below, the following are priority areas:

• 7+ years of experience in real estate finance, as a developer, lender, or in government, including projects with energy-related financing or green technologies.
• A bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent work experience in an applicable field of study, such as real estate finance, environmental science, environmental or urban planning, sustainability, engineering, or public administration.
• Demonstrated written and verbal ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences, including community partners, policymakers, advocates, and public media; ability to make clear and impactful presentations to a range of key audiences and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the CDFI sector, lending practices, and existing relationships with CDFIs.
• Demonstrated commitment to environmental justice, particularly serving Justice40 communities and LIDAC.
• Superior supervisory and team management skills, including demonstrated ability to build, motivate, manage, and develop remote team members.
• Experience with business development, product or program development, and management.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with diverse constituents.
• Excellent organizational/time management skills required to independently manage multiple tasks and prioritize work on diverse assignments.

Location & Travel

NeighborWorks Capital’s office is located in Silver Spring, Maryland. The Director can be based in Silver Spring or remotely but should plan to allocate approximately 20 percent of their time to travel for conferences, events, and meetings.

Compensation

Starting salary of $140,000-$160,000, plus benefits including accommodations for remote work, 11 paid holidays, unlimited PTO, 6% employer-paid 401(k) contribution, and medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance benefits.

Application Process

NeighborWorks Capital is conducting this search in partnership with Good Insight, a national executive search firm serving the nonprofit sector. Interested applicants should upload a resume and a detailed cover letter to www.good-insight.org/careers.

Resume reviews begin immediately. For best consideration, please apply by August 2. Early applications are encouraged due to the pace of the search. Please direct confidential inquiries to Kate Dykgraaf at [email protected].

Equal Opportunity Employer

NeighborWorks Capital is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.