Low Income Investment Fund · 9 hours ago
EVP, Chief External Affairs Officer
New York, NY, US
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$255K/yr - $285K/yr
15+ years expThe Low Income Investment Fund is a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution that mobilizes capital and partners for equitable outcomes. The EVP, Chief External Affairs Officer plays a critical role in shaping and implementing LIIF’s external affairs strategy, leading communications, policy advocacy, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement efforts.
CommunitiesFinancial ServicesResidential
Responsibilities
Build and maintain relationships with philanthropic, private sector, public sector/government agencies investors, policymakers, media, and other external partners to increase awareness and support for LIIF's innovative capital strategies and programs
Position LIIF to reach government and business decision-makers on issues vital to our mission
Be able to set up the organization to convey its outcomes, impact, and narrative effectively and persuasively to thought leaders, supporters, and the broader housing and community development ecosystem through a wide variety of communication tools
Serve as an ambassador for LIIF, representing the company to a range of external stakeholders including supporters, partners, funders, policymakers, elected officials, and with media
Develop and implement strategic campaigns to encourage the use of the company’s models and learnings by key industry organizations, decision-makers and others, strategically positioning LIIF and its leaders as an influencer and resource within the community development industry
Identify opportunities to leverage ongoing work to elevate LIIF’s priority on social justice and racial equity into tangible impact in the communities it serves. Maximize the use of key senior leaders’ time in engagement – and relationship-building activities
Form effective high-level relationships with key partner organizations, including those that reinforce LIIF’s commitment to equity
Represent the company at conferences and other public meetings
Work closely with the CEO to drive, coordinate, and manage LIIF’s multi-year strategic process, coordinating with the organization’s leaders and managing board level presentations
Monitor continuously the external environment and industry, tracking trends and issues that may affect the company’s strategy and operations
Monitor and assess the organization’s progress against goals on an annual basis, and to provide board-level reporting
Inform annual workplans for LIIF divisions that underpin the strategic plan
Develop strategies to diversify and sustain philanthropic support, as well as attract mission-aligned partners for LIIF's real estate lending tools and innovative early care and education programs
Lead the refinement of LIIF’s digital and social media presence and to engage our partners and key stakeholders
Optimize LIIF’s fundraising program, which encompasses general unrestricted operating grants, program/capital-related grants, and competitive federal, state, and local grant RFPs
Alongside the CEO, and working with other senior managers, will engage in fundraising activities, generating significant, renewable funding, working in concert with other LIIF leadership in capital / fundraising efforts
Oversee the preparation of LIIF’s annual fundraising plan for national and regional funding needs with established revenue goals, strategies, and timelines for reaching fundraising goals
Serve as a key steward and liaison for major donors and funders
Position LIIF as thought leader and SME in critical business activities and utilize to expand LIIF’s influence and to attract philanthropic support
Oversee marketing, communications and thought leadership to strengthen LIIF's reputation as a leader in mobilizing capital for racial equity, job creation and community impact
Establish the vision, goals and strategy for LIIF’s government, and advocacy efforts, including rationalizing the work to be done by the LIIF policy team, coalitions and membership organizations, and lobbying support
Lead advocacy efforts for legislation, funding, and regulatory policy changes that support LIIF's focus areas of affordable housing, early care and education, and community facilities
Ensure that the policy program will align the company’s policy priorities with LIIF’s strategic plan
Analyze program, policy, and advocacy issues and communicate findings and recommendations to a variety of audiences
Represent LIIF on legislative and advocacy efforts to external audiences, including Capitol Hill office visits
Develop and oversee implementation of LIIF’s external branding, public relations, and related external communication strategy, in alignment with LIIF strategic goals and priorities
Drive a strong communications program, utilizing internal and external resources, to lift up LIIF’s initiatives, build LIIF’s brand
Set a vision for communications that extends beyond traditional one-way media relations, encompassing the key roles that thought leadership and stakeholder development play in supporting mission and organizational initiatives
Navigate the workings of news media (print, broadcast, and online) in national and local markets
Lead the Communications team in defining and building a strategy that ensures consistent institutional messaging and strong branding aligned with LIIF’s core values
Actively seek opportunities for LIIF to share insights through media, conferences, and other public forums, and serve as primary point-person for all opportunities and requests
Provide messaging strategy and support for LIIF senior managers, for public events and other engagements
Handle critical internal communications’ responsibilities
Qualification
Required
Advanced degree in Public Policy, Law or Business is preferred. Bachelor's degree may be considered
Minimum of 15 years of experience of executive level external affairs, public policy, or related fields within the community development or financial services sector with track record of success
Proven track record in developing and implementing successful advocacy and stakeholder engagement strategies
Strong understanding of CDFIs, affordable housing, early care and education, and community development issues
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
Exceptional fundraising, impact investing and government grant experience a must
Leadership experience in public relations strategy development and implementation
A track-record of success with major gift fundraising and expertise with all aspects of development, including institutional giving, planned giving, annual giving and event management; strong knowledge of how marketing, communications and public relations can further fundraising efforts and success using these tools to improve and optimize business development outcomes
Benefits
Hybrid work environment with flexibility to balance in-office and remote work
Reasonable accommodations, absent undue hardship, to qualified individuals who cannot get vaccinated against COVID-19 because of sincerely held religious or medical reasons
Company
Low Income Investment Fund
Low Income Investment Fund gathers capital to provide financial and technical assistance for the equity and well-being of the communities.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$9.46MKey Investors
Community Development Financial Institutions Fund
2024-10-23Grant· $4.5M
2023-04-10Grant· $4.96M
Leadership Team
Daniel Nissenbaum
Chief Executive Officer
Panagiota Mahendru, CGMA
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Recent News
2025-09-23
First Five Years Fund
2025-09-19
Company data provided by crunchbase