President & CEO

Vision and Strategy

The Council of Development Finance Agencies seeks an experienced, visionary leader to succeed a longtime executive and guide the association’s continued growth and impact.

In partnership with a mission-driven Board of Directors who deeply value CDFA’s legacy and historic contributions, the incoming President & CEO will direct the association’s efforts to engage, convene, and educate its membership. The role also carries responsibility for advocating at the federal level to preserve and expand access to the development finance mechanisms the industry relies on.

Leadership and Governance

This is an exciting and dynamic moment for CDFA. After more than two decades of stable executive leadership, CDFA enjoys an exemplary reputation among its members and across the development finance field, and the organization benefits from a strong financial position.

At the same time, CDFA is navigating a shifting federal landscape and is approaching the end of its current strategic plan. Developing a new plan and charting CDFA’s next chapter will be an immediate priority for the incoming leader, one that must be balanced with providing reassurance and stability for the internal team during a period of transition.

External Representation and Advocacy

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned and strategic leader of high-performing teams, with a solid understanding of nonprofit operations and governance and fluency in the development finance mechanisms most relevant to CDFA’s membership.

Deep subject-matter expertise is not essential. What matters most is the ability to identify and engage subject-matter experts to support CDFA’s educational and advocacy initiatives, and to speak credibly and confidently with both legislators and members.

Delivery of Programming and Effective Membership Engagement

Shifts in federal funding for local and state development finance offices are creating a significant opportunity to support economic development work in different ways. This moment represents an extraordinary opportunity for CDFA to serve as a trusted resource to its membership in navigating this changing terrain, advancing the association’s mission while expanding its membership and increasing its revenue in the process.

Finance and Revenue Generation

With a solid organizational foundation to build upon, this opportunity requires a President & CEO with the ability to cast a strong vision while also being entrepreneurial.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Proven financial management and budgeting experience
• Proven understanding of the development finance sector
• Willingness to represent CDFA at the federal level and advocate for policies that support the interests of the membership
• Proven experience working with or serving on boards and an understanding of nonprofit governance
• Demonstrated ability leading high-performing teams
• Ability to travel nationally to engage and convene members; frequent travel to Washington, D.C., for advocacy efforts is expected
• Ability to maintain frequent in-person presence at the CDFA office in Dublin, Ohio
• Preference is for a candidate to be based in CDFA’s current Dublin, Ohio, office; however, the board is open to considering hybrid work options
• Relocation assistance will be provided for candidates outside the Columbus, Ohio, metropolitan area

Desired Qualifications

• Subject-matter expertise in development finance
• Staff leadership experience in membership organizations
• Fundraising experience
• Proven experience with nonprofit strategic planning and implementation

Compensation

CDFA is pleased to offer a competitive base compensation and benefits package for this role. Projected base compensation is $235,000–$265,000, commensurate with experience.

Application Process

To be considered for this position, please submit a resume at the link below. In the application, you will also be asked to briefly describe your interest in the role.

To apply, please visit: https://bit.ly/CDFA-CEOapp.

To learn more about CDFA, please visit https://www.cdfa.net/.

Please do not contact CDFA staff or board with questions or interest in the role. All inquiries about the position should be directed to Benefactor Group.

Benefactor Group Recruitment Team
Hr@benefactorgroup.com
http://www.benefactorgroup.com