The Actors Fund, a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment, seeks a Manager of Affordable Housing Initiatives to design, manage, and implement initiatives that increase access to affordable housing for members of our creative community. Accessing affordable housing is a challenge for this community, not just because of low incomes, but also because income is typically episodic and generated from multiple sources, which makes the application process more difficult.
The Actors Fund maintains three affordable housing residences (two in New York City and one in West Hollywood, California), as well as a skilled nursing home and assisted living facility in Englewood, New Jersey. The Fund is also working to create additional affordable housing opportunities for our community and help our clients to access existing options. The manager will work with clients seeking housing, as well as government agencies, developers, and other organizations involved in providing or advocating for affordable housing opportunities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direction of the Chief Operating Officer, the Manager of Affordable Housing Initiatives will facilitate the development of a comprehensive strategy for affordable housing. The position demands a combination of direct service, advocacy and housing development. The manager will be expected to maintain familiarity with affordable housing programs, opportunities, and key players in New York City and Los Angeles.
The Manager of Affordable Housing Initiatives will oversee the Housing Resource Center, which helps clients to access and maintain housing through seminars, online resources, and one-on-one counseling. The manager will continually update seminar materials and lead seminars 2-4 times per month throughout New York City. The manager will provide expertise to social workers whose clients face housing issues and supervise the Housing Resource Center volunteer.
The Manager of Affordable Housing Initiatives will also participate in affordable housing advocacy, with particular attention to advancing the cause of affordable housing for artists. The manager will represent the agency in coalitions and working groups, such as the New York City HPD Housing Ambassadors, as well as raise awareness about artists’ unique affordable housing concerns amongst community groups, developers, government officials and the philanthropic community.
Additionally, the Manager of Affordable Housing Initiatives will be responsible for cultivating and maintaining strategic partnerships in the areas of affordable housing development, marketing, and lease-up. The manager will be responsible for securing and executing marketing contracts with housing developers. Marketing responsibilities include extensive outreach to the arts community, overseeing temporary staff, event planning, public speaking to large audiences, and collaboration with the external development team. In addition, as development opportunities arise, the manager will maintain relationships with developers, draft development proposals and collaborate on responses to RFPs.
REQUIREMENTS
- Advanced degree in urban planning, public affairs, social work, or other relevant area and at least two (2) years of experience in a field or discipline related to housing. (Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.)
- Knowledge of housing policies and government subsidized affordable housing programs.
- Experience with or interest in the performing arts and entertainment industry a plus.
- Experience planning and conducting training sessions, workshops, or seminars.
- Experience managing partnerships and collaborative working groups.
- Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
- Self-starter, able to work independently and as a member of a team.
- Excellent leadership and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize and coordinate a large number of projects independently.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a diverse group of clients, colleagues, and external partners.
- Comfortable providing individual technical assistance, guidance, and counsel to low-income clients, in partnership with staff social workers where appropriate.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Routine travel throughout the New York metropolitan area.
- Occasional travel to Los Angeles or other areas of the U.S. possible.
- Availability for evening seminars 2-4 times per month, in addition to other occasional evening meetings.
ABOUT THIS POSITION
This is a full-time salaried position based in The Actors Fund’s National Headquarters Office in Times Square, New York City. The Actors Fund offers a competitive salary, as well as a comprehensive benefits package, including: choice of multiple health and dental plan options, voluntary vision, flex and dependent care plans, employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance, supplemental life and disability, 401(k) plan with generous employer match, tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off and TransitCheck commuter benefit or paid parking, depending on location.
TO APPLY
Please complete the application below.
ABOUT THE ACTORS FUND
The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone— performers and those behind the scenes—who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping more than 17,000 people directly each year, and hundreds of thousands online. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund’s programs include social services and emergency financial assistance, health care and insurance counseling, housing, and employment and training services. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Actors Fund has been—for 132 years—a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition.
For more about The Actors Fund, please visit: www.actorsfund.org.
The Actors Fund is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
