Habitat For Humanity Of Forsyth County | Executive Director

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County seeks an Executive Director to lead the organization’s growth, mission execution, and community impact. You will work with the Board, staff, volunteers, donors, and partners to advance affordable housing, foster financial sustainability, and strengthen operations.

The role requires strategic vision, transparent leadership, and the ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders while guiding Habitat Forsyth’s ReStore operations and development

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 7+ years of senior leadership experience.
• Experience in affordable housing, housing development, real estate, or related field.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Proven ability to secure funding and manage partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of long-term strategic vision.
• Expand affordable housing development and community impact in Forsyth County/North Carolina.
• Build relationships with elected officials, housing organizations, lenders, developers, and donors.
• Oversee financial management, budgeting, and fundraising initiatives with the leadership team.
• Represent Habitat Forsyth County as primary spokesperson and community leader.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Fundraising

Communication

Financial acumen

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County | Executive Director

• Full-time
• Compensation: USD 130,000 - USD 140,000 - yearly

Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County, established in 1985 on Christian principles, is dedicated to a vision where everyone has a decent place to live. The organization’s motivation is to unite people around the concept of “putting God’s love into action” along with others who are interested in helping those in need of improved shelter. Habitat Forsyth is an affiliate member of Habitat for Humanity International, founded in 1976.

The Habitat model assists local hard-working families who do not qualify for traditional mortgages to become homeowners. After meeting certain income, credit and rental history qualifications, future Habitat homeowners attend financial education and home ownership/maintenance classes. They earn 300 to 400 social engagement or “sweat equity” hours by helping build or remodel their own homes or those of others, and serve as volunteers with Habitat or in the community. Upon closing on the home, they begin paying an affordable mortgage back to Habitat, which allows the organization to help more families.

Volunteers play a crucial role in the success of Habitat Forsyth. Houses are built and remodeled largely with volunteer labor, enabling Habitat homeowner families to purchase decent, quality housing at an affordable price. Volunteers provide essential staffing at the three local ReStores, which serve as nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers. Proceeds from the Habitat ReStores help support Habitat for Humanity’s mission of building or improving homes locally and around the world.

Habitat Forsyth has grown from $2.8 million in revenue in FY17 to $6.1 million in FY 25 and has built $11.3 million in net assets. More than 350 families have found permanent homes since 1985; since the program’s founding in 2012, over 450 families, veterans, and older adults have received home repairs through Habitat Forsyth.

Executive Director - $130,000-$140,000, including a comprehensive benefits package

Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County seeks an accomplished and visionary Executive Director to lead the organization through its next phase of growth, organizational development, and community impact.

The affordable housing challenges facing Forsyth County and North Carolina have never been greater. Rising housing costs, limited inventory, increasing construction expenses, barriers to homeownership, and growing housing insecurity among families, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations require bold leadership and innovative solutions.

The next Executive Director will inherit an organization with a respected mission, strong community recognition, dedicated supporters, and significant potential. At the same time, the organization faces important opportunities to strengthen internal operations, enhance organizational culture, develop staff capacity, deepen community partnerships, and expand its role as a leader in affordable housing development.

This is an opportunity for a mission-driven executive who is energized by challenge, skilled at leading change, and excited about building both people and programs. The successful candidate will possess the strategic mindset of a chief executive, the operational discipline of a business leader, and the relationship-building skills necessary to unite stakeholders around a shared vision for affordable housing in Forsyth County.

The Leadership Challenge

The Board of Directors is seeking a leader who embraces complexity and can successfully navigate both organizational and community challenges while positioning Habitat Forsyth for long-term impact and sustainability.

Key opportunities for the next Executive Director include:

• Expanding Habitat Forsyth's housing development capabilities beyond traditional individual home construction toward larger-scale affordable housing and neighborhood development initiatives.
• Strengthening partnerships with municipalities, financial institutions, developers, employers, philanthropic organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Navigating the increasingly complex affordable housing environment in North Carolina, including public funding opportunities, regulatory requirements, development challenges, and housing finance mechanisms.
• Enhancing Habitat Forsyth's reputation as a trusted, influential, and collaborative community leader focused on housing solutions.
• Ensuring long-term organizational sustainability through sound financial management, strategic growth, diversified funding sources, and staff development.

This role requires a leader who is equally comfortable inspiring employees, cultivating donors, negotiating development opportunities, engaging public officials, and representing Habitat Forsyth throughout the community.

The Position

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive of Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County and is responsible for overall leadership, management, strategic direction, financial stewardship, and public representation of the organization.

Working closely with the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, donors, government leaders, community partners, and Habitat for Humanity International, the Executive Director will develop and execute a vision that strengthens organizational effectiveness while expanding Habitat's ability to address affordable housing needs throughout Forsyth County.

The Executive Director must be a visible, stable, and respected community leader who inspires confidence, communicates effectively across diverse audiences, and builds strong relationships both internally and externally. The successful candidate will bring a calm, steady leadership style, sound judgment, and emotional intelligence.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Community Impact

• Lead the development, implementation, and execution of Habitat Forsyth's long-term strategic vision and priorities.
• Position the organization as a leading voice and trusted partner in affordable housing throughout Forsyth County and North Carolina.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with elected officials, municipal leadership, housing organizations, developers, lenders, business leaders, and community stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary ambassador and spokesperson for Habitat Forsyth, convening other leaders and organizations as necessary.
• Promote collaborative solutions that address housing needs for families, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations.

Affordable Housing Development & Business Leadership

• With the Chief Program Officer, lead the identification, evaluation, acquisition, financing, and development of affordable housing opportunities.
• With the Chief Program Officer, evaluate and pursue land acquisition, housing development, neighborhood revitalization, and strategic partnership opportunities.
• Negotiate effectively with developers, lenders, landowners, municipalities, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain a working knowledge of affordable housing development, housing finance, community development practices, and housing policy trends throughout North Carolina.
• Guide the organization's evolution toward larger-scale housing projects and expanded community development initiatives.

Organizational Leadership & Talent Development

• Sustain a culture of accountability, collaboration, professional growth, and operational excellence.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop staff.
• Assess organizational capabilities and implement systems that improve effectiveness, communication, and employee engagement.
• Manage organizational change in a manner that strengthens morale, performance, and mission alignment.
• Ensure sound financial management and long-term organizational sustainability.
• With the Director of ReStore Operations, oversee and enhance the operations of three local ReStores.
• With the Director of Finance, oversee annual budgeting, financial reporting, risk management, and compliance.
• With the Director of Philanthropy, support and participate in fundraising, donor stewardship, sponsorship development, grant acquisition, and community investment efforts.
• Work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure effective governance and strategic oversight.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Urban Planning, Real Estate, Community Development, Finance, Construction Management, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible senior leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizations, divisions, departments, or major initiatives through growth, change, and transformation.
• Significant experience in affordable housing, housing development, community development, real estate development, construction, land acquisition, housing finance, or a related field.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to analyze, summarize, and effectively present data to individuals/groups, including executive levels, community stakeholders, & non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated experience negotiating complex development, land acquisition, financing, partnership, or business transactions.
• Strong knowledge of the affordable housing landscape, including funding sources, development challenges, public-private partnerships, and housing policies.
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to establish credibility and build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing organizational budgets and performance metrics.
• Personal commitment to Habitat for Humanity's mission and values.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certifications related to affordable housing, housing finance, community development, planning, real estate development, economic development, construction management, or nonprofit leadership.
• Existing professional relationships and connections within North Carolina's housing, development, governmental, philanthropic, or financial sectors.
• Experience securing and managing affordable housing funding sources, including public and private financing programs.
• Experience leading multi-home, neighborhood-scale, mixed-income, or project-based affordable housing developments.
• Experience serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness, or other special populations.
• Advanced degree in a related field.
• Knowledge of Forsyth County and broader North Carolina community landscape.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a confident and authentic leader who inspires trust through actions, communication, and consistency. They will possess the presence and credibility to represent Habitat Forsyth throughout the community while building strong and productive relationships within the organization.

They will be known as a listener, collaborator, and problem solver who develops people, promotes accountability, and creates alignment around shared goals. They will bring a steady hand during periods of change and demonstrate the resilience, judgment, and leadership maturity necessary to guide the organization through both opportunities and challenges.

Most importantly, they will be passionate about expanding access to affordable housing and committed to building an organization capable of delivering lasting impact for the communities it serves.

Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals.