Senior Program Officer, Lending and Investment

CompanyLocal Initiatives Support Corporation
Role Full Time
LocationBoston, MA

Full Time
Boston, MA
Posted 4 weeks ago
$104,000 - $127,500

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Website Local Initiatives Support Corporation

About Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is a national nonprofit organization that connects communities with resources to better tackle various local challenges and opportunities. Since its founding in 1979, LISC and its affiliates have provided over $29.7 billion in funding to community development projects including affordable housing, healthcare, education, safety, and economic development initiatives. Headquartered in New York City, LISC operates in 38 urban markets across the United States and has a significant presence in rural areas, reaching communities in 49 states and Puerto Rico. The organization partners with local leaders to invest in various community infrastructures and promote regional economic stability.

About this Role

The Massachusetts office of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) seeks a skilled and experienced housing lending professional with a passion for strengthening underserved communities through innovative housing finance strategies. As the Senior Program Officer for Lending & Investment, you will be instrumental in leading LISC Massachusetts’ strategic priorities related to building and preserving affordable housing. This role also includes responsibilities in supporting the decarbonization of the state’s housing stock through direct lending, and offering technical assistance to affordable housing developers, as well as engaging in statewide housing policy advocacy. Reporting directly to the local Executive Director, the Senior Program Officer will employ innovative lending tools, grants, technical assistance, and policy advocacy to meet the office’s strategic priorities in affordable housing, economic opportunity, capacity building, and green initiatives.

Responsibilities

Loan Origination, Underwriting, and Closing. Serve as the primary business developer and originator of loans for new and existing multifamily affordable housing, rental housing, homeownership opportunities, and occasionally commercial properties, small businesses, and community facilities.
Underwrite lending transactions, including acquisition loans, predevelopment loans, construction loans, and mini-permanent and permanent loans, and bridge financing for new and existing affordable housing projects.
Perform credit analysis, including analyzing borrower financial and operating performance, project financial performance, borrower management capacity, and project feasibility.
Provide technical assistance to borrowers and prospective borrowers.
Conduct due diligence and financial analysis, draft credit memoranda, present loans to the credit committee, manage the closing process with counsel, and work with Asset Management on post-closing borrower and project management.
Strategic Program Development: Design or refine debt and equity products to meet need and market.
Collaborate with LISC’s Green Homes program staff on lending products focused on affordable housing decarbonization projects.
Coordinate with municipalities and state agencies to advance LISC Massachusetts’ strategic priorities.
Develop key partnerships and maintain relationships with other local community development financial institutions (CDFIs), national LISC teams, and LISC affiliates.
Business Development: Leverage new and existing stakeholder and client relationships to build a pipeline of affordable housing and other lending opportunities.
Stay aware of opportunities for loans in additional asset classes such as community facilities, educational facilities, commercial developments, and economic development projects.
Policy Leadership: Work with the Executive Director to further develop, refine, and advance LISC Massachusetts’ housing policy agenda.
Manage key relationships with public and private sector partners.
Work closely with state and local government to develop projects across all LISC Massachusetts’ lending and investment programs.
Reporting & Communications: Prepare reports and presentations for investors, funders, and other stakeholders as needed.
Create content and strategic messaging regarding the impact of LISC’s lending and investment activity.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required; relevant work experience can be used as a proxy.
Master’s degree in real estate, finance, urban planning, public administration, or related field preferred.
At least five (5) years of experience in lending, finance, community development, or a related field, with demonstrated experience in real estate development or finance, particularly underwriting, deal structuring, and financial analysis.
Familiarity with the Massachusetts housing market and city, state, and federal government financing programs.
Knowledge of financing products such as predevelopment, acquisition, construction, bridge, and permanent loans; lines of credit; tax credit programs, and equity investment.
Ability to manage multiple, complex transactions and programs at various stages.
Familiarity with local, state, and federal housing programs and resources.
Strong writing, financial analysis, and verbal communication skills.
Full proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, particularly Microsoft Excel.
Commitment to racial equity and interest in LISC’s community development mission.