Vice President, Housing and Financial Empowerment

SUMMARY

The UnidosUS Vice President, Housing & Financial Empowerment is responsible for articulating and aligning the strategic direction for UnidosUS’s Housing and Financial Empowerment programs with the overall organizational strategy.

UnidosUS Housing & Financial Empowerment (HFE) aims to build the wealth of Latinos through homeownership, improved housing stability, and financial security. HFE partners with UnidosUS Affiliates, other community-based organizations, government agencies, corporations, and private foundations to create high-quality programs that support Latinos in their journey to build wealth and achieve economic prosperity.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Programs, the Vice President oversees an annual budget of $5-10 million and provides leadership and mentorship to a talented team of 15. The Vice President is a member of the UnidosUS Leadership Team and works closely with the heads of the other UnidosUS program teams – Education, Health, Workforce Development, Data & Analytics, and Learning & Impact – and Senior Vice President of Economic Initiatives.

This position is hybrid, and will be based in Washington, DC, New York, NY, Los Angeles, CA, or Phoenix, AZ.

Salary: $180,000 - $230,000 (salary differentials may apply outside of the Washington DC area.)

Essential Functions:

Planning & Program Development

• Lead the design, execution, and growth of UnidosUS’s HFE programs, integrating them under a unified vision and ensuring their alignment with broader organizational priorities.
• Oversee a portfolio of four strategic programs: 1) Wealth & Housing Alliance, 2) Counseling Connection, 3) Financial Empowerment Network, and 4) Learning Alliance.
• Work closely and strategically with Senior Vice President of Economic Initiatives to support the UnidosUS HOME (Home Ownership Means Equity) initiative, an organization-wide effort to transform the economic trajectory of Latinos by enabling the creation of 4 million new Hispanic homeowners by 2030.
• Along with Senior Vice President of Economic Initiatives, serve as the primary UnidosUS housing subject matter experts, with deep understanding of the housing ecosystem, including barriers faced by current and aspiring Latino homeowners.

Strategic Leadership & Team Management

• Provide strategic direction, leadership, and support to a high-performing team of 15, including four direct reports and a roster of 10-15 contractors.
• Identify emerging trends and opportunities in housing and financial empowerment to keep the organization's programs innovative and effective.
• Evaluate and adapt the team structure, processes, and skills to support program design, execution, and impact, ensuring the team has the tools, training, and support needed.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability aligned with UnidosUS strategic priorities, mission, and values.
• Serve as a member of the six-person Programs Leadership Team, consisting of the heads of each UnidosUS program team – HFE, Education, Health, Workforce Development, Data & Analytics, and Learning & Impact.
• Cultivate, maintain, and deepen strategic partnerships with: UnidosUS Affiliates and other community-based organizations; key government agencies with a particular focus on those that impact the financial services sector; corporations with a particular focus on the financial services sector including mortgage industry; private foundations; research institutions; and other entities and experts in the field.
• Represent UnidosUS at industry conferences, meetings, and public events, as well as on boards, advisory councils, and similar bodies.

Fundraising & Budget Management

• Collaborate with Senior Vice President of Programs, Senior Vice President of Economic Initiatives, and Resource Development team to lead housing fundraising activities, including stewardship of government, corporate, and private foundation relationships.
• Secure funding and resources through grants, partnerships, and sponsorships to support HFE programs.
• Oversee department budget development and management, including identifying revenue and expense opportunities and risks, in coordination with Senior Vice President of Programs, Finance team, and other HFE staff.

Data and Communication

• Support the development of systems to track the impact of HFE programs and to inform and support future growth, development, and storytelling.
• Collaborate with the Data & Analytics team to establish and refine centralized client management system for program staff and subgrantees.
• Provide regular updates to Cabinet and other leadership on the status and impact of HFE programs.
• Prepare detailed reports and presentations for funders, partners, and the UnidosUS Board, Affiliate Council, and Corporate Board of Advisors.
• Communicate the success and challenges of HFE programs to various audiences through various media.

Advocacy and Policy Influence

• Advocate for policies and initiatives that support housing counseling, homeownership, and economic empowerment for Latino communities.
• Collaborate with the UnidosUS’s policy and advocacy team to influence housing-related and economic empowerment policy at the national level and in priority states.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Fifteen (15) years of relevant experience in designing and implementing large-scale, national housing and financial access initiatives.
• Ten (10) years of experience working with public/private partnerships creating access to mortgage lending or other financial services in marginalized communities.
• Knowledge and deep understanding of U.S. housing financial system.
• Significant experience with national housing sector and relevant entities and programs, including Department of Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), CDFIs, and HUD’s Housing Counseling Program.
• Significant experience and demonstrated success in supervising, leading, and motivating teams and setting and achieving goals, holding staff and oneself accountable, and providing constructive feedback and coaching.
• Awareness of and demonstrated commitment to addressing issues of equity that impact Latinos, including issues of power and identity, social structures, and wealth building.
• Experience working with people of diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in public administration, community development, finance, real estate development, public policy, or related field.
• Experience working in a community-based organization or national nonprofit intermediary.
• Experience developing program partnerships with private financial service companies serving the U.S. market.
• Deep familiarity with the U.S. Latino community and Latino nonprofit organizations.
• Familiarity with diverse methods of qualitative and quantitative evaluation of programming.
• Understanding of social media and other digital tools that support and enhance programmatic efforts.

Skills and Abilities

• Steadfast commitment to UnidosUS mission, vision, and values Excellence, Accountability, Respeto.
• Commitment to U.S. Latino community, Latino non-profit organizations, and the Latino market.
• Demonstrated commitment to Latino civil rights issues and awareness of the policies that impact Latinos and their families.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of various teams and committees.
• Fluency in both written and verbal English and Spanish preferred.

Competencies

• Problem Solving—Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Oral Communication—Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Written Communication—Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork—Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Change Management—Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Leadership—Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Managing People—Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
• Business Acumen—Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.
• Diversity—Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
• Ethics—Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Strategic Thinking—Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Judgment—Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Motivation—Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and
  overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Planning/Organizing—Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Professionalism—Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality—Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Adaptability—Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Innovation—Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

COVID-19 Considerations:

• UnidosUS follows CDC guidance and strongly encourages employees to stay up to date on vaccinations and practice a range of preventive measures to support their well-being and maintain a healthy work environment.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.