THIS IS A TWO-YEAR POSITION WITH STRONG POTENTIAL FOR EXTENSION.
The Deputy Director of the Community Ownership for Community Power Fund (COCP) leads all aspects of the work of COCP’s Integrated Capital Fund. Reporting to and working closely with the Director of Housing Justice, this visionary leader leads cross-stakeholder collaboration, manages key relationships, and strategically coordinates with senior advisors and consultants, the COCP Fund Managers, funders, community partners, and core external stakeholders to advance community ownership through the creation of innovative, community-governed financial infrastructure to serve community ownership organizations across California.
The Deputy Director is responsible for finalizing and managing the fund structure, governance model and core partnerships, as well as raising resources to fund strategy and impact. As a thought leader with deep expertise in integrated capital strategies and unlocking diverse forms of capital for impact, the Deputy Director amplifies COCP and Common Counsel Fund's (CCF) visibility by engaging stakeholders, shaping sector-wide strategies, and representing COCP in the broader philanthropic and impact investing sector.
The ideal candidate will be a strategic and collaborative leader with a transformative fundraising approach, able to build relationships across philanthropic, nonprofit, public, and private sectors. They will bring a deep commitment to racial and economic justice, as well as the ability to bridge the gap between vision and execution. This will involve working closely with senior leadership while also managing key aspects of day-to-day fundraising, program implementation, and partnership efforts.
This two-year position offers the opportunity to shape and advance a groundbreaking initiative that is currently halfway toward its $20 million pilot fundraising goal, with a long term goal of building a n eye toward building towards a $100 million fund over the next five to ten years. The Deputy Director will play a key role in advancing this phase of the capital raise, both by implementing existing strategies and by co-developing and refining new approaches in close partnership with the Director of Housing Justice and the Senior Director of Strategic Philanthropy. Strong team infrastructure and fundraising momentum are already in place, and the role offers meaningful room for leadership, innovation, and ownership as we scale. There is strong potential for extension as we grow and expand impact based on evolving project needs.
Responsibilities include:
Strategic Leadership and Operations of Fund (45%)
- Direct the strategy development, growth and implementation of the Community Ownership for Community Power Fund, aligning with CCF's mission and values.
- Complete the process of creating the Integrated Capital Fund structure, including launching the community-led governing board and credit committee and finalizing the fund’s operational structure and processes.
- In close partnership with the ICF Governing Board, oversee the finalization of the process for the first round of deployment of investment and grant capital, and then coordinate fund deployment with the board, applicants and fund managers, consistent with approved budgets, and grantmaking and capital investment strategies.
- Monitor and steer annual ICF budget to ensure program costs align with resources raised, including but not limited to core contracts, fund allocations, technical assistance offerings, travel, conferences, and other resource needs.
- Partner with the fund managers and the internal CCF team to develop the learning and impact strategy, document outcomes, and share key insights and findings about our integrated capital approach and investment impact with philanthropic partners and the field.
- Collaborate with the Communications Director to develop effective communications strategies to position the Integrated Capital Fund as a leader in the field of economic democracy, housing justice and transformative philanthropy.
- Coordinate with the Chief Financial Officer to ensure fund compliance with all regulatory and financial reporting requirements.
- Keep abreast of relevant policy and field developments to inform strategic direction.
Advancing Fundraising Strategies and Building External Partnerships (40%)
- Partner closely with the Director of Housing Justice, Senior Director of Strategic Philanthropy, the Director of Philanthropic Advising and broader CCF development team to co-develop, refine, and implement fundraising strategies that secure grant and investment dollars for the Integrated Capital Fund.
- In collaboration with the Director of Housing Justice and the Senior Director of Strategic Philanthropy, hold key existing and build new funder relationships in service of the Integrated Capital Fund’s vision, goals, and priorities. Actively participate in donor and investor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities, including contributing to grant and investment proposals, meeting with potential funders and investors, and helping to craft compelling cases for support
- Build and nurture strategic partnerships with prospective donors, investors, institutional funders, and ecosystem partners,identifying opportunities for shared learning and collaboration that advance grant and investment strategies that better align funding to support frontline communities.
- Represents the Integrated Capital Fund as a thought leader at local, state, and national philanthropic conferences to elevate visibility and attract potential funding, and engage with speaking and writing opportunities to influence the sector's approach to community-led resource deployment.
Stakeholder Coordination and Management (10%)
- Responsible for the overall effectiveness of the Integrated Capital Fund, including overseeing contractor’s workplans, fund systems, and internal processes that drive toward program goals and strategic priorities.
- Manage consultants, including the scope of work arrangements and oversight of agreed deliverables.
- Foster a supportive relationship with the community-led Governing Board to support their leadership over the project.
- Contribute to a supportive team culture and work environment.
- Work as appropriate with other departments and teams across the Foundation.
CCF Strategy, Vision, and Leadership (5%)
- Participates in Common Counsel Foundation's strategic planning and other internal processes to promote alignment across CCF's programs
- Coordinates with other CCF programs and staff to institutionalize programmatic learning and improve systems and processes
- Participate in regular staff meetings and annual program and board/staff retreats, as well as provide feedback around CCF’s direction.
- Provide external leadership on behalf of the Foundation, representing the Foundation in the sector and community on various boards and committees.
- Other tasks as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in policy, nonprofit leadership, impact investing, or philanthropy, with a track record of driving strategic initiatives and systems-level change.
- Direct experience working on integrated capital strategies, or in utilizing investment capital in service of social justice movements.
- Deep knowledge in housing justice, community development, regenerative economy, and other social justice movements. (California-specific knowledge highly preferred but not required)
- Bachelor's degree in urban planning, public policy, nonprofit management, or a related field.
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and translate a vision into a set of goals and the steps necessary to achieve them is required.
- Proven ability to lead contractors, manage budgets, and oversee programs from implementation to evaluation.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to explore innovative community-centered financing or programmatic solutions.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyze data, evaluate programs, and make informed decisions based on evidence.
- Experience with facilitation and designing learning approaches is preferred.
- Persuasive written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present effectively and engage with diverse stakeholders.
- Collaborative team player who can operate effectively with peers within a small, collegial, yet demanding work environment.