Executive Director Job Description

Title: Executive Director

Organization: Lima Community Improvement Corporation (LCIC)

Reports to: LCIC Board of Directors

Position Type: Full-time, exempt

Work Location: Lima, OH (local/regional travel required)

Compensation: Competitive; commensurate with experience (plus benefits, if applicable)

Role Summary

LCIC is seeking an execution-oriented Executive Director to lead the organization as a developer/investor and project delivery partner focused on housing production, neighborhood reinvestment, and catalytic redevelopment. This leader will build and manage a practical multi-year plan, deliver projects on time and on budget, and strengthen LCIC’s relationships with builders, lenders, public partners, and community stakeholders. The board is looking for someone who can balance internal operations and external leadership—someone who can build the machine and move the deals. The Executive Director will oversee residential housing development projects as a core component of community revitalization efforts. The ideal candidate will have direct experience in planning, financing, and delivering these types of housing developments.

Core Outcomes (What Success Looks Like)

• Housing units delivered (started, completed, sold/leased)
• Project milestone performance (timelines met; barriers cleared)
• Financing secured (development finance, grants, partnerships)
• Partnership growth (builders, lenders, developers, institutions)
• Budget discipline (aligned to plan; clean reporting)
• Board confidence (clear priorities, decision-ready agendas)

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy + Workplan (Board-ready, fundable, executable): Deliver a 1-5 year workplan with unit targets, pipeline, financing strategy, staffing/consultant needs, and board decision points. Translate strategy into a quarterly execution plan with defined owners, milestones, and metrics.
• Housing + Development Project Delivery: Lead end-to-end development activities: site selection, feasibility, pro formas, acquisition/disposition, construction coordination, compliance, and closeout. Oversee residential housing development projects from concept through completion, including site selection, design coordination, and construction oversight. [Added] Work closely with permitting officials and regulatory agencies to secure approvals and maintain compliance with local and state building codes. Maintain a project dashboard with milestones, risks, contractor performance, and budget status. Build reliable processes to prevent stall-outs and move projects from concept to completion.
• Development Finance + Funding: Structure and secure funding: grants, philanthropic/corporate support, lending relationships, LIHTC/OZ alignment where applicable, and other tools that fit LCIC’s role. Manage grant compliance and reporting; ensure projects and funds stay aligned.
• Partnerships + External Leadership: Build a strong network of builders/GCs/subs, lenders, realtors, developers, and public partners. Represent LCIC publicly with credibility and energy; communicate progress and goals clearly.
• Organizational Leadership + Operations: Lead day-to-day operations, including vendor/consultant management, policies, performance expectations, and internal controls. Prepare board materials that are decision-ready: concise, accurate, and action-oriented. Support board governance improvements through clear roles, decision rights, and meeting cadence.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in real estate development, housing project management, construction management, or development finance.
• Track record of delivering projects with timelines, budgets, and partners.
• Strong competency in public-private partnerships and stakeholder management.
• Experience building workplans and managing execution using dashboards/metrics.
• Financial fluency: budgets, pro formas, contracting, and reporting.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, permitting requirements, and housing regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with community development tools (grants, CRA-related partnerships, municipal development structures).
• Knowledge of housing production challenges in small to mid-sized markets.
• Local/regional network in construction, banking, and real estate (or a demonstrated ability to build one quickly).
• Familiarity with affordable housing programs, funding mechanisms, and community development best practices.

Competencies LCIC Will Prioritize in Selection

• Real estate/development finance capability
• Project discipline + decisive execution
• Relationship-building (builders, lenders, institutions)
• Practical strategic planning (1-5 year plan that is fundable)
• Public presence and communication confidence

Application Process 

Submit: resume + cover letter + 1-page ‘first 90 days’ outline + 2 references via email to: [email protected]