SVP, Innovations Programs

Opportunity Finance Network is looking to fill the position of Senior Vice President, Innovation Programs. This role will lead OFN's CDFI Innovation Initiative, a flagship program designed to foster transformative innovation within the CDFI sector. This leader will drive the strategic vision, design, and implementation of innovation-focused programs, including the CDFI Innovation Center, leveraging expertise in finance, technology, project management, and community development to advance the use of digital tools, AI, and data analytics to enhance capital deployment, operational efficiency, and measurable outcomes. The SVP will oversee complex initiatives, cultivate partnerships, and engage with CDFI members and stakeholders to develop groundbreaking solutions that promote financial inclusion and catalyze economic growth in underinvested communities, ultimately advancing OFN?s mission.

OFN is the nation?s leading investment intermediary and network CDFIs serving rural, urban, and Native communities across the United States. With over $1 billion in total assets under management, OFN manages a national membership network of over 470 mission-driven lenders and CDFIs, including community development loan funds, credit unions, green banks, community development banks, minority depository institutions, and venture capital funds. OFN is a trusted investment partner to the public, private, and philanthropic sectors ? foundations, corporations, banks, government agencies, and others. For more than 30 years, our team has helped partners invest in communities to catalyze change and create economic opportunities for people and places traditional finance doesn?t reach.

To learn more, visit www.ofn.org

People who work at OFN come from a variety of professional and academic backgrounds. If you have:

• Passion for the mission and true believer in our core purpose.
• Courage to be a fearless advocate who is confident and resilient in our fight to drive capital into low-income communities.
• Smart, quick seekers of knowledge who thrive on creating and developing new strategies, products, and programs for increasing capital to communities we serve.
• Desire to be a collaborative team player who possesses humility and a willingness to lean in all areas of our work.

Come be a part of our growing diverse, highly committed, skilled, and collaborative staff. At OFN, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply nonetheless. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.

This position is based in Washington, D.C. All staff currently work a hybrid schedule.

Core Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the CDFI Innovation Initiative, defining its strategic vision and ensuring alignment with OFN?s mission and goals.
• Oversee the creation and operation of the CDFI Innovation Center to drive innovative solutions, scale systems, and enhance CDFIs? capacity for capital mobilization, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision-making.
• Develop and implement an innovation framework designed to transform the CDFI sector with digital tools, AI, data analytics, and other innovations.
• Design and oversee cohorts and communities of practice to identify, develop, test, and scale new financing products, tools, and operating models across the industry.

Program Management

• Ensure the success of the Innovation Initiative by effectively managing people, resources, and processes.
• Lead and mentor a team of staff, consultants, and contractors supporting the Initiative?s programs and goals.
• Support innovation-related research and disseminate insights, tools, and findings through conferences, publications, and digital platforms.
• Collaborate with OFN?s Investment Services and Network Services teams to ensure the programmatic success of the CDFI Innovation Fund, including its structure, capitalization strategy, and award selection process.
• Work cross-functionally within OFN to align efforts, maximize effectiveness, and achieve impactful outcomes for CDFI innovations.

External Representation and Partnerships

• Represent OFN as a thought leader and key spokesperson at industry forums, conferences, and with stakeholders, including financial institutions, foundations, and community organizations.
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships to expand OFN?s impact and advance its mission.
• Lead an industry advisory group to gather insights, refine strategies, and stay informed on trends and best practices in innovation.
• Foster collaboration within the industry to generate and scale innovations that support CDFIs? growth and sustainability.

Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building

• Collaborate with OFN members to understand their needs, challenges, and opportunities, ensuring innovative efforts address member priorities.
• Develop strategies to integrate innovation into the CDFI ecosystem, enhancing member capacity to adopt new tools and approaches that support their growth and success.
• Manage coalition-building efforts to advance the investment ecosystem and improve outcomes for underinvested communities.

Communications and Thought Leadership

• Act as a key spokesperson for CDFI innovations, effectively communicating OFN?s mission and impact to diverse audiences.
• Contribute innovation-related content to OFN?s website, social media, publications, strategic papers, supporter communications, and public-facing materials.
• Stay informed on issues impacting CDFIs? ability to achieve impact, contributing to the development of strategies and solutions to address these challenges.
• Serve as a subject matter expert to support other OFN initiatives and projects across OFN.