Executive Director, Worcester Common Ground

Preserve and Build Upon Community Trust

The next Executive Director will have the opportunity to preserve and build upon the strong foundation of community trust created by WCG’s current leader of 25 years. This includes honoring and preserving the culture of relationship-building with residents and community partners.

Lead a Complex Housing and Development Portfolio

• Manage a substantial portfolio of housing and community development activities, including rehabilitating 16 buildings under the WCG HOMES initiative, refinancing and renovating 46 LIHTC units, and developing the Austin Corridor II project.
• Continue to research potential redevelopment properties to expand the supply of affordable housing, balancing community needs with organizational capacity.

Strengthen Organizational Staffing Capacity

• Assess and hire staff appropriate for the needs of the organization, building their capacity, and integrating them into the new team.

Diversify Revenue and Enhance Financial Sustainability

• Maintain a development pipeline in a catchment area with limited large-scale building options.
• Secure funding through development projects, philanthropy, government sources, lending institutions, investors, and strategic partnerships.

Clarify and Advance Strategic Priorities

• Work with the Board, staff, residents, and community partners to revisit and shape a clear and compelling vision for the future, while being nimble to immediate, compelling opportunities.

Navigate a Changing Community Landscape

• Help balance neighborhood revitalization with affordability, equity, and community stability.
• Play an advocacy role in educating funders and policymakers on the needs and approaches to housing, resilience, and economic growth.

The Ideal Candidate

• A genuine commitment to neighborhood-based community development.
• Strong financial management expertise, including budgeting, forecasting, audits, compliance, and organizational oversight.
• Experience securing funding through development projects, philanthropy, government sources, lending institutions, investors, and strategic partnerships.
• Entrepreneurial, adaptable, and opportunistic, with strategic thinking acumen.
• Experience leading, empowering, and developing teams, building organizational capacity, delegating effectively, and managing organizational growth.
• Success working with a diverse set of stakeholders: boards of directors, community stakeholders, public officials, funders, residents and tenants, and community partners.
• Authentic, approachable, collaborative, and relationship-oriented.
• Politically astute and comfortable navigating complexity and competing priorities.
• Resilient and calm under pressure.
• Highly operational and hands-on, with a dynamic, hard-working attitude.
• Respect for diverse communities and lived experiences, with experiences with equity, resident leadership, and community empowerment.

Compensation and Benefits

• This is a full-time, place-based, salaried, exempt position with a salary range of $120,000 - $130,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Benefits package includes: 10 vacation days, 3 personal days, 40 hours of sick time, 12 paid holidays & 1 floating holiday, MA Family and Medical Leave (PFML), 3 bereavement days, 100% contribution toward individual and family health, dental, and vision, life insurance - Accidental Death & Dismemberment / Life Insurance (equal to annual salary), short and long term disabilities insurance, IRA savings plan with optional 2% employer contribution.

Application Process

• Candidates must include a resume and a cover letter, both in PDF format, which describe how their qualifications and experience match the needs and mission of WCG.
• Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
• A background check will be required for finalists.
• Upload required documents to: https://eostransitions.applicantpool.com/jobs/.

Equal Employment Opportunity

• WCG is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or membership in the uniformed services.