Executive Director

Central Jersey Housing Resource Center (CJHRC); Somerville (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Paid time off

Job summary

Central Jersey Housing Resource Center (CJHRC) seeks an Executive Director to lead operations and ensure HUD standards are met while expanding access to affordable housing in Central New Jersey.

The role reports to the Board, overseeing programs, fundraising, and donor engagement, with a focus on building partnerships and strengthening CJHRC’s impact in the community.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in nonprofit development with revenue growth.
• Grant writing and fundraising experience.
• Clear understanding of HUD housing programs and guidance.
• Strong leadership with small-team experience a plus.
• Excellent project management and attention to detail.
• Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management or business administration; Master’s preferred.
• Genuine belief in our mission and communities served.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day operations of the housing counseling agency.
• Oversee programs helping families access affordable housing.
• Prepare and manage grant applications to secure funding.
• Promote services via outreach, including social media.
• Ensure compliance with HUD standards and regulations.
• Collaborate with local organizations to address housing needs.

Skills

Grant writing

Fundraising

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Relationship building

Nonprofit development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management or business administration

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Central Jersey Housing Resource Center (CJHRC) is a HUD-certified 501(c)(3) housing counseling agency that has served Central New Jersey for more than 30 years. We help households pursue affordable housing through comprehensive programs, including Section 8 voucher distribution, state rental assistance, and guidance for securing market-rate units.

We’re looking for an Executive Director who is ready to roll up their sleeves and grow with us.

The Role

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director leads all agency operations and ensures effective delivery of services. You will:

• Lead and manage day-to-day operations of the housing counseling agency
• Oversee programs that help families access affordable housing
• Prepare and manage grant applications to secure funding
• Promote agency services through targeted outreach, including social media
• Ensure compliance with HUD standards and regulations
• Collaborate with local organizations to address community housing needs

2027 Development Priorities

• Grants, contracts, and corporate giving:Meaningfully increase the number of grants we apply for each year, manage the full grants calendar (LOIs, proposals, reporting), and build a corporate engagement strategy that includes volunteer events and group giving. We’re targeting 20–30% year-over-year growth across all fundraising channels.
• Events:Lead one signature Housing Event each year, ideally in April (Housing Month), with strong Board involvement and community turnout.
• Systems and data:Make sure every donation flows cleanly into a reliable software system with accurate tagging and complete historical records, and that we meet all record retention commitments.

Board Partnership

The Executive Director works hand-in-hand with the Board of Directors — equipping members to be effective ambassadors, managing their donor networks, and leading the Development Committee. You will also support Board recruitment, with a focus on growing the Board’s outreach and fundraising capacity.

Communications and Marketing

You will serve as the voice of CJHRC externally — writing or overseeing donor communications, newsletters, e-blasts, social media, and print collateral. For a lean team, this means a willingness to get in and do the work directly, not just manage it.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of nonprofit development experience with a track record of growing individual, corporate, and/or event revenue
• Grant writing and fundraising experience
• Clear understanding of HUD regulations and programs, including housing counseling
• Demonstrated leadership ability; experience managing a small team is a plus
• Strong project management skills and attention to detail across multiple priorities
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills: warm, persistent, and professional
• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
• A genuine belief in our mission and the communities we serve

What We Offer

• A competitive benefits package
• Paid time off

Occasional evening and weekend work and local travel for meetings and community events are required.

CJHRC is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.