Community Roots Housing - CEO

View the full position description here!

The Organization

Imagine a Seattle where every resident can afford a safe quality affordable home in a highopportunity area close to jobs transit arts and culture and more. Since 1976 Community Roots Housing has been turning this vision into reality creating affordable housing that does more than provide shelter it supports thriving communities.

Deeply committed to communitydriven solutions Community Roots has cultivated robust partnerships with local organizations artists and businesses to address housing and other critical needs in the Seattle metro area. As a Public Development Authority and Community Development Corporation Community Roots owns and manages nearly 50 apartment buildings housing over 2200 residents working closely with service providers and community members to create affordable homes preserve cultural spaces and bring critical resources like healthcare to the neighborhoods that need them most. Following significant growth Community Roots is now seeking a visionary CEO to advance their mission of building a Seattle where every resident can put down roots and flourish.

Community Roots Housings mission statement reads:

Together with residents and partners we confront inequity to create inclusive housing and foster thriving just communities.

To learn more about Community Roots history click here.

The Role

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) plays a pivotal role at the heart of our organization reporting directly to a Board made up of 15 Directors. The CEOs primary mission is to inspire a strategic vision that shapes our culture governance advocacy and resource development efforts while leading the charge on various program and operational fronts.

In this exciting position the CEO will spearhead Community Roots vision for strengthening and expanding the organizations portfolio propelling our growth as stewards of our community and in fulfilling our mission. Imagine building meaningful relationships with a diverse array of stakeholdersfrom community leaders to the Resident Advisory Council to elected officials to major donorsall to enhance Community Roots impact in the affordable housing sector. The goal is to diversify our financial resources nurturing a thriving team of 100 talented individuals including 5 direct reports all committed to our cause.

As the face of the organization the CEO must embody our values of inclusivity transparency and a genuine focus on residents. Were looking for someone with political savvy capable of fostering strong connections with government officials industry leaders and philanthropic partners. This role isnt just about leading; its about serving as the top ambassador to stakeholders highlighting the success of Community Roots as a missiondriven provider of affordable housing aimed at uplifting the lives of residents and the communities we serve.

To excel in this role the CEO should possess a robust understanding of affordable housing development and tax credit finance along with a keen ability to make timely informed decisions about real estate projects. Its a challenging landscape but with the right expertise its possible to navigate these waters successfully.

We seek a professional who combines the ability to handle complex real estate and community development projects with thoughtfulness and perseverance. An articulate communicator with high emotional intelligence and a good sense of humor will thrive here. If youre ready to take on this dynamic challenge wed love to have you lead our mission forward!

Community Roots Housing is a mission based valuesbased organization and the CEO must have the character to match.

Opportunities for Impact

Financial Stabilization & Sustainability In collaboration with other Community Roots team members the new CEO will guide Community Roots to improve cash flow management optimize margins expand our real estate development portfolio and enhance portfolio economics focused on both growth and efficiencies.

Fund Development In partnership with the Community Roots Housing Foundation Executive Director build on our 15year history of fund development to take our achievements to the next level identifying and securing contributed revenue from individual donors as well as public and private institutional funders.

Relationship Building Fostering strong relationships built on trust with our staff residents board members city leaders elected officials donors funders and development partners is essential for our shared success.

Organizational Assessment Conduct an organizational assessment celebrate department strengths and gain valuable insights into the unique nuances that drive Community Roots success. Build bridges and enhance communication between and among departments to most effectively and efficiently pursue the organizations mission.

Staff Development and Retention Ensure that Community Roots provides competitive compensation packages as well as enticing professional development opportunities to attract and retain high caliber team members. Effectively leverage the gifts and talents of the Community Roots team to provide world class housing and critical resources to the community.

Property Management Work with the Property Management team to identify and implement strategies designed to enhance occupancy rates and deploy the necessary resources to address maintenance needs across the portfolio.

Resident Services Lead Community Roots in developing programs that connect residents with lifeaffirming resources to support their housing stability and selfdetermined goals. Support the Resident Advisory Councils role in developing resident leaders.

What You Bring

Community Roots is intentional in hiring processes seeing it as a chance to interrupt the cycle of racial and economic injustice that limits communities from accessing employment building skills and investing in their own leadership development. Community Roots prioritizes applicants who have firsthand experience in navigating the many systems that their residents face which impede their opportunities for success as majority marginalized communities. Candidates will be evaluated on the full range of their lived and learned experience and core competencies including:

Property management and/or property development specifically with affordable housing

Commitment to diversity equity and inclusion

Experience working with and/or serving on boards of directors

Skills in analyzing complex financial data

Building community relationships

Collaborative leadership style

Focus on staff support and recognition along with professional development

Strategic planning and implementation

Political acumen

Donor relationship management and fund development

Exceptional written and verbal communication including public speaking

Contract negotiations

Demonstrated experience in a significant leadership role

Total Compensation & Benefits

The annual salary range for this position is $225000 $265000

Community Roots is committed to supporting all employees through competitive salary and benefits a commitment to equity and inclusion and training and professional development opportunities.

The comprehensive benefits package includes:

32 days of PTO earned during the first year of employment increasing annually

52 hours of annual sick leave

16 hours of annual personal leave

Sabbatical Program

Hybrid work setting

Group Term Life Insurance

Long Term Disability Insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

The Medical plan of your choice (Waiver may be available with proof of other Group coverage)

Relocation assistance available

Click here to view Community Roots full benefits summary

To Be Considered

The position is open until filled with a priority deadline of June 6 although we highly encourage applying as soon as possible. Cover letters (two pages or less) addressed to Board Chair Frank Alvarado and a resume can be submitted to Valtas at: may direct questions to Ed Rogan at 206.697.8428 or Chris Cannon at 971.666.2621.

Community Roots Housing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates of color LGBTQ candidates women candidates with disabilities and candidates of all religions and national origins are strongly encouraged to apply. Community Roots Housing is a Ban the Box employer. However per Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development requirements any candidate selected for this position must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment.