Executive Director, CDFI

Peter Gray Executive Search; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 190,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Neighborhood Community Development Fund seeks an accomplished Executive Director to lead the organization into its next growth phase. The role oversees strategy, lending, capital raising, fundraising, financial management, and external relations, reporting to the Board of Directors.

The ideal candidate has deep CDFI or community lending experience. The position requires a track record of growing organizations, strong leadership, and a commitment to NCDF's mission.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in a CDFI, community lender, bank, or related nonprofit. CDFI management experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in small business, commercial real estate, and/or affordable housing finance.
• Proven track 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 a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead NCDF's FY2026-2030 Strategic Plan and shape the organization's long-term vision.
• Provide leadership to staff and the Board of Directors to ensure effective execution of strategic goals.
• Expand NCDF's reach as a CDFI throughout Allegheny County.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
• Set strategy for lending programs and ensure underwriting, documentation, and monitoring meet requirements.
• Oversee fundraising efforts including grants and government funding from local, state, and federal sources.
• Cultivate relationships with funders, lenders, investors, and government leaders to support NCDF's mission.
• Develop strategies to diversify NCDF's funding sources and increase revenue.
• Provide guidance on budgets and ensure compliance with laws and grant obligations.
• Represent NCDF on external boards and advisory committees.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Strategic Planning

Financial Management

Communication

Board Relations

Diversity & Inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience

Job description

Neighborhood Community Development Fund (NCDF), founded in 2000, is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to strengthening neighborhoods and supporting small businesses throughout Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, through loans and technical assistance. With $32 million in assets and a staff of 15+, NCDF lends to business startups, existing small businesses, individual entrepreneurs, community service organizations, and real estate developers focused on affordable housing and neighborhood commercial district revitalization.

• Job Title: Executive Director
• Employer: Neighborhood Community Development Fund
• Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (onsite position at office on Pittsburgh's North Sidelocation)
• Salary range: $190,000 - $230,000

NCDF’s Executive Director, Mark Masterson, is concluding his tenure after 20 years of transformative leadership.

This is a great opportunity for someone with significant, successful leadership experience in a CDFI, community lending institution, bank, or related nonprofit organization. CDFI management experience strongly preferred.

Deadline: rolling. The position is open until filled. It was announced on November 2, 2026. Rather than setting an application deadline, we are considering applications and holding interviews on a rolling basis, with first-round interviews starting in January. For best consideration, please apply promptly; and please complete all questions in the application, including the cover letter/personal statement. Our goal is to fill this position by April 2027.

POSITION SUMMARY:

NCDF seeks a visionary and experienced Executive Director to lead the organization into its next stage of growth. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely with the Board Chair, the Executive Director oversees 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, strong experience in CDFI or community lending, and a proven record of growing organizations and their impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• 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.

Program Management

• 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.

Fundraising and Development

• 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.

Financial Management and Compliance

• 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.

Board 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.
• Organizational Leadership
• 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.

External Relations and Advocacy

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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 a plus.