Executive Director, New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC)

Posted by New Kensington CDC on June 23, 2020

The New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) is a community development corporation committed to sustainable development in housing opportunities, economic development, vacant land strategies, community engagement, and real estate development. NKCDC advances social equity and economic empowerment by nurturing and creating opportunities for residents to live and actively shape their neighborhoods of choice. To that end, NKCDC provides free housing counseling to anyone in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and offers many additional resources to residents and businesses in the Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond neighborhoods.

NKCDC has a strong reputation, both locally and nationally, with longstanding credibility of serving as trusted and valuable partner and collaborator. The organization is currently the only community development organization in the City of Philadelphia that is a chartered member of the NeighborWorks America network. Historically, our approach to arts-based development and vacant land management have been considered innovative and transformative. Our current work using a trauma-informed community engagement model, applying an equity lens across the organization, and leading programs at the intersection of health and housing are keeping NKCDC at the cutting-edge of community development. NKCDC draws on the strengths of the communities in Fishtown, Kensington, and Port Richmond — a population of over 87,000 residents, 35% of whom live below the federal poverty level — to make sure neighborhood development benefits all residents.

About the Executive Director

In close partnership with the 17-member Board of Directors and a 41-person staff, the Executive Director will provide strategic vision and leadership to steward the organization in a time of unexpected transition and consolidation of focus in our expanded service area. They will cultivate and maintain relationships with key policymakers, the business community, the media, neighborhood and civic associations, strategic partners, and community members to advance the goals of NKCDC to achieve the highest impact. They will also identify and foster opportunities to diversify the funding and revenue base through new partnerships and services, will manage and nurture an exceptional staff team, and continuously seek opportunities to strengthen collaboration in the community. Finally, the next Executive Director will work to ensure that NKCDC continues to serve as a leader in the community and economic development field, providing quality services to community residents and creatively working with others to provide innovative and bold approaches to improving the community.

Strategic Plan

NKCDC is currently in the first year of a three-year strategic plan (July 2019-June 2022). In adopting this plan, we affirmed our belief that neighborhood development can and should benefit all residents. We use a strategic combination of catalytic real estate development, community engagement, and people-centered direct services to ensure all of our neighbors can remain — and thrive — where they choose to live. NKCDC focuses equally on people and places because we know that the two work together to create healthy, vibrant communities.

Whether we are building affordable housing or helping residents build their wealth, we pledge to promote equity, stability, and safety in all we do, with a sharp focus on those most at-risk of being displaced. At NKCDC, we work together with residents, businesses, and communities to make sure that our neighborhoods will always be great places to live.

Our goals during this strategic plan are:

• Create transformational physical development in the area anchored by Orinoka Civic House.
• Organize and engage communities north of Lehigh to shape and improve their neighborhoods.
• Provide vulnerable people with access to resources they need to be self-sufficient and remain in their communities.
• Assure that NKCDC has the resources needed to advance its mission.

More information about these goals, the methodology behind our plan, our community profile can be found at https://nkcdc.org/who-we-are/.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be an experienced executive leader with a solid track record of successfully leading and developing teams, working with an engaged Board, diversifying revenue streams and success in fundraising, as well as cultivating relationships with a wide spectrum of stakeholders, donors, and partners. They will possess an ability to harness the collective voice of a diverse community and cultivate and maintain relationships across a broad geographic area of distinct yet connected neighborhoods. The next Executive Director will have a strong external presence and the ability to successfully engage with the media and policymakers to advance NKCDC’s goals. They will bring a deep understanding of community and economic development and will be highly attuned to real estate development, housing counseling, vacant land management, and community organizing. Successful candidates should have at least five years experience in relevant community development or similar work and be effective communicators. A bachelor’s degree, content expertise in business or nonprofit management, Spanish language fluency, demonstrated commitment to equity, and specific knowledge of the City of Philadelphia (or other major city) are highly desired.

Compensation

Competitive salary with excellent benefits including HMO health plan, long- and short-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid vacation and 403 (b) retirement plan. Expected salary for this full-time position will be between $2,000.00 and $2,200.00 per week.

To apply

Applications received by Tuesday, June 30, 2020 will be considered on a rolling basis. Applicants should submit a cover letter including salary request, resume, and writing sample to Severa Kata, Human Resources Director at HR@nkcdc.org, with “[YOUR NAME] NKCDC Executive Director Application” in the subject line. All candidate resumes are given due consideration and are kept on file for one year, but we cannot always respond personally due to the high volume of inquiries.

NKCDC provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, race, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, religion, language, political beliefs, sexual orientation, physical ability.