Community Development Program Manager

ABOUT JCUA 

The mission of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA) is to combat poverty, racism, and antisemitism in partnership with Chicago's diverse communities. Inspired by core Jewish values, we organize a Jewish constituency to collaborate with communities directly impacted by systemic oppression to advance racial and economic justice. 

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Community Ventures Program (CVP) is JCUA’s interest-free revolving loan fund for affordable housing and community development projects. Since its inception in 1991, CVP has provided more than $10 million dollars in zero-interest loans for 72 projects in 31 neighborhoods, leading to the creation or preservation of approximately 5,300 affordable housing units. Through CVP, JCUA is proud to partner with aligned organizations to build vibrant and affordable neighborhoods.

The Community Development Program Manager oversees all aspects of JCUA’s Community Ventures Program, including managing CVP’s current loan portfolio, identifying new mission-aligned projects for potential funding, and managing loan requests and repayments. The Program Manager stewards an active and engaged lay advisory committee that supports the Program Manager with program decision-making and implementation.  CVP is part of the JCUA Programs Team and reports to the Senior Director of Programs.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee operations of the CVP loan fund. This includes: 
• Monitoring CVP’s active loan portfolio; 
• Negotiating loan terms, drafting loan agreements, and processing loan extensions as appropriate; 
• Managing loan repayment deadlines; 
• Tracking data and finances for accounting and reporting purposes; 
• Continuing to iterate and strengthen program structures and materials. 
• Manage loan requests. This includes: 
• Ushering loan requests through the CVP loan application process; 
• Preparing application materials for evaluation for the CVP Advisory Committee and JCUA Executive Committee; 
• Assessing the viability of loan applications in conjunction with the CVP Advisory Committee;
• ​​Working with the JCUA Executive Committee to complete the loan process;
• Communicating with applicants about their projects and applications.  
• Convene CVP’s active and engaged Advisory Committee. This includes:
• Collaborating with Advisory Committee co-Chairs to set meeting agendas; preparing meeting materials; and leading monthly meetings; 
• Recruiting and onboarding new Advisory Committee members;
• Working with the Advisory Committee to enact CVP’s program priorities and lending guidelines. 
• Represent JCUA and CVP externally. This includes:
• Fostering relationships with current partners; 
• Cultivating relationships with professionals in the affordable housing and community development sectors to publicize CVP and seek out potential partnership opportunities; 
• Identifying and stewarding new mission-aligned projects for potential funding.
• In partnership with JCUA’s Development and Communications team, steward CVP donors and lenders. This includes:
• Developing reports for internal and external stakeholders, including lenders and grantors; 
• Creating relevant marking and communications content; 
• Planning and implementing periodic “Impact Tours” that showcase loan recipients and the exciting projects that the CVP program has supported. 

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS 

• Passion for community development and housing justice. 
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in community development, urban planning, and/or relevant grant-making or public policy work. 
• Understanding of and experience with funding sources for housing and economic development projects in Chicago and Illinois. 
• Familiarity with City of Chicago, state, and federal funding sources, including tax credits and incentive programs for affordable housing production.
• Ability to read a budget and development pro forma.
• General understanding of zoning, land use, and building codes. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and familiarity with financial documentation.
• Ability to work strategically to balance multiple activities and deadlines.
• Commitment to social justice, racial equity, and civil rights. 
• Good listening, organizational, communication, writing, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to work flexible hours to meet programmatic goals— including occasional evenings and weekends. 
• Resourcefulness and willingness to take initiative. 
• Regular access to a car and valid driver’s license are a plus. 

BENEFITS

• This is a part time position at 32 hours/week. The salary range for this position is $56,000–$66,800 annually, commensurate with experience. 
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance are included for this role
• A Simple IRA plan is available upon three months of consecutive employment
• Generous days off including  three weeks of paid vacation on a prorated basis (with an increase after three years), sick leave, and major Jewish holidays. 
• JCUA closes at 1:00 pm on alternate Fridays in an effort to promote a healthier work/life balance. 
• Flex time available to balance necessary evening/weekend scheduling. 
• A supportive work environment with people committed to bringing out the best in each other and to advancing positive social change. 
• This position is a bargaining unit position at JCUA, represented by SEIU Local 73. 

JCUA deeply values the diversity of insight, perspective, and experience brought by people from backgrounds typically underrepresented in Jewish institutions. This includes Black, Latinx, and Asian people, Black Jews, Jews of Color, Sephardi and Mizrachi Jews, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities. We also welcome applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds.

If you are interested in and excited about this opportunity but do not meet all of the qualifications and skills or have questions about compensation and  benefits, please reach out! We would love to explore if this position is the right fit for you.  To apply, please email a resume and cover letter to jobs@jcua.org.

LOCATION

JCUA is located in Ravenswood on the north side of Chicago. Full time staff currently work two days in the office per week, with greater flexibility for part time employees.