Executive Director

Neighborhood Community Development Fund (NCDF); Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer match

Generous paid time off and holidays

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Neighborhood Community Development Fund (NCDF) in Pittsburgh, PA seeks an Executive Director to lead its mission-driven lending organization serving Allegheny County. The ED will shape strategy, oversee lending, capital raising, fundraising, and external relations, and partner with staff and the Board to advance economic equity.

The role requires strong nonprofit leadership, fundraising excellence, and a commitment to community development finance.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in a CDFI, nonprofit finance, or related area (10+ years).
• Experience in small business, commercial real estate, and/or affordable housing finance.
• Proven fundraising and capital-raising track record with diverse funding sources.
• Strong financial management, budgeting, and grants management skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities.
• Commitment to NCDF’s mission, equity, and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of the FY2026-2030 Strategic Plan and shape the organization’s long-term vision.
• Oversee strategy, lending, capital raising, and fundraising efforts with the Board.
• Expand NCDF’s reach as a CDFI across Allegheny County and engage diverse partners.
• Foster innovation, collaboration, and accountability across the organization.
• Guide lending programs (small business, CRE, affordable housing) in line with contracts and grants.
• Ensure CRA considerations and reporting in partnerships with financial institutions.
• Develop and evaluate programs advancing NCDF’s mission and impact.
• Lead external communications, marketing, and stakeholder relations.
• Support Board governance, compliance, and fiduciary oversight.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Fundraising

Capital raising

Stakeholder engagement

Financial management

Team development

Board collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Advanced degree (a plus)

Job description

About Neighborhood Community Development Fund (NCDF)

Neighborhood Community Development Fund (NCDF) is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to strengthening neighborhoods and supporting small businesses throughout Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Originally founded as the Northside Community Development Fund in 2000, NCDF has grown significantly over the past two decades to become a countywide organization serving entrepreneurs, housing projects, nonprofits, and community development initiatives. In 2022, the organization expanded from serving 18 Northside neighborhoods to more than 100 neighborhoods throughout Allegheny County, marking a transformative period of growth and increased impact. With $32 million in assets, a $20 million loan portfolio, and a $5 million operating budget, NCDF has established itself as a leading community development lender in the region. The organization maintains a dedicated staff of 15 or more professionals working hybrid schedules, demonstrating its commitment to flexible work arrangements while maintaining collaborative operations. NCDF provides comprehensive financing and technical assistance services across multiple sectors, including small business lending to startups and existing enterprises, affordable housing development and financing, neighborhood commercial real estate revitalization, community facilities, and energy efficiency projects. NCDF’s lending practices reflect a strong commitment to serving underserved and underrepresented populations. The organization has achieved notable impact metrics: 78 percent of its loans are directed to BIPOC-owned small businesses, 51 percent to low-income-owned small businesses, and 49 percent to women-owned small businesses. Additionally, 76 percent of NCDF’s loan dollars are located within CDFI tracts, demonstrating focused investment in economically disadvantaged areas. The organization has created or retained 1,214 jobs through its lending activities, underscoring its tangible economic development contributions to the region. The organization’s mission centers on fostering economic equity, creating sustainable opportunities, and building stronger neighborhoods across Allegheny County. Under 20 years of leadership by former Executive Director Mark Masterson, NCDF evolved from a primarily Northside-focused organization into a countywide CDFI. The organization formally changed its name from Northside Community Development Fund to Neighborhood Community Development Fund in 2021 to reflect this expansion and its broader service area. NCDF partners with financial institutions, foundations, government agencies, and community organizations to accomplish its mission of saying YES to entrepreneurs, ideas, and opportunities that advance community development and economic equity throughout Allegheny County.

About this Role

NCDF seeks a visionary and experienced Executive Director to lead the organization into its next stage of growth. This is a transformative leadership opportunity for an accomplished nonprofit executive with deep expertise in community development finance. The Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors and work closely with the Board Chair, overseeing all aspects of NCDF’s operations including strategy, lending, technical assistance, capital raising and fundraising, financial management, and external relations. The successful candidate will bring a deep commitment to NCDF’s mission of fostering economic equity and sustainable opportunities for all, strong experience in CDFI or community lending, and a proven record of growing organizations and their impact. This leadership role is pivotal as NCDF continues its rapid expansion and works to deepen its influence throughout Allegheny County. The Executive Director will shape the organization’s long-term vision, implement the FY2026-2030 Strategic Plan, and ensure effective execution of strategic goals and initiatives aligned with NCDF’s core values and mission. The position requires a leader who can inspire and motivate staff, board members, and stakeholders while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability. The Executive Director is expected to reside in the greater Pittsburgh area, work mostly onsite at the NCDF office located at 3923 Perrysville Ave in Pittsburgh’s Observatory Hill neighborhood, and have regular Allegheny County-wide engagement and travel, with periodic evening and weekend commitments. Due to the collaborative team leadership nature of the work, this is a primarily onsite position with significant responsibilities that cannot be fulfilled remotely. NCDF is conducting a national search and is prepared to offer financial assistance for relocation.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of NCDF’s FY2026-2030 Strategic Plan and shape the organization’s long-term vision in alignment with its mission and values
• Provide leadership and direction to staff and the Board of Directors to ensure effective execution of strategic goals and initiatives
• Expand NCDF’s reach and impact as a CDFI throughout Allegheny County
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability throughout the organization
• Set strategy and direction for NCDF’s small business, commercial real estate, and affordable housing lending programs, consistent with program criteria and all contract, grant, and investment requirements
• Hold lending team accountable for sound underwriting, documentation, monitoring, and collections, and for strong portfolio quality
• Provide strategic direction for technical assistance programs that pair capital with hands-on support for borrowers
• Develop, implement, and evaluate programs that advance the mission, identifying emerging trends and opportunities in community development finance
• Ensure effective marketing of loan products and other NCDF initiatives
• Incorporate Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) considerations into lending and partnerships with financial institutions
• Lead NCDF’s fundraising efforts, including foundation and corporate grants and government funding from local, state, and federal sources, including the CDFI Fund
• Raise and renew lending capital, including notes payable from banks, foundations, and impact investors
• Cultivate and steward relationships with funders, lenders, investors, and government leaders to support NCDF’s mission and financial sustainability
• Develop and implement strategies to diversify NCDF’s funding sources and increase revenue
• Provide guidance to the finance team for NCDF’s annual budget and financial plans in collaboration with the Board of Directors and finance committee
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, CDFI certification requirements, and contract and grant obligations
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to funders, investors, and the Board
• Monitor financial performance and use data to guide resource allocation and maximize impact
• Recruit, manage, develop, and evaluate staff, ensuring sufficient skilled personnel for the Fund’s performance
• Provide regular feedback, coaching, and mentorship, and align individual performance objectives with organizational goals
• Oversee day-to-day operations and manage projects from inception to completion, including planning and budgeting
• Serve as NCDF’s primary spokesperson and advocate with stakeholders, policymakers, and the media
• Build and maintain relationships with foundations, financial institutions, elected officials, and government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels
• Partner with community organizations, nonprofits, and business associations to ensure NCDF’s priorities align with community needs
• Represent NCDF on external boards, committees, and industry networks to advance the field and raise NCDF’s profile
• Enhance NCDF’s visibility through strategic communications, marketing, and public relations
• Serve as the primary contact and support for the Board of Directors, providing full and timely information to the Board and its committees
• Implement Board policies and directives, and support the Board in maintaining compliance with the bylaws and other corporate policies
• Advise on Board composition to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements

Requirements

• Significant senior leadership experience, typically 10 or more years, in a CDFI, community lender, bank, or related nonprofit organization
• CDFI management experience strongly preferred
• Experience in small business, commercial real estate, and/or affordable housing finance
• Proven record of fundraising and capital raising, including grants, government funding, and debt capital for lending
• Strong financial management skills, including nonprofit budgeting and grants management
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate staff, board members, and stakeholders
• Cultural competency and commitment to engaging diverse communities, borrowers, and stakeholders
• Demonstrated commitment to NCDF’s mission and to professional ethics
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience required; advanced degree is a plus

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100 percent employer-paid premiums for employees
• Retirement plan with up to 3 percent employer match
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule