View the full position description here!

The Organization

Imagine a Seattle where every resident can afford a safe, quality affordable home in a high-opportunity area close to jobs, transit, arts and culture, and more. Since 1976, Community Roots Housing has been turning this vision into reality, creating affordable housing that does more than provide shelter— it supports thriving communities.

Deeply committed to community-driven solutions, Community Roots has cultivated robust partnerships with local organizations, artists, and businesses to address housing and other critical needs in the Seattle metro area. As a Public Development Authority and Community Development Corporation, Community Roots owns and manages nearly 50 apartment buildings housing over 2,200 residents, working closely with service providers and community members to create affordable homes, preserve cultural spaces, and bring critical resources like healthcare to the neighborhoods that need them most. Following significant growth, Community Roots is now seeking a visionary CEO to advance their mission of building a Seattle where every resident can put down roots and flourish.

Community Roots Housing’s mission statement reads:

“Together with residents and partners, we confront inequity to create inclusive housing and foster thriving, just communities.”

To learn more about Community Roots’ history click here.

The Role         

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) plays a pivotal role at the heart of our organization, reporting directly to a Board made up of 15 Directors. The CEO’s primary mission is to inspire a strategic vision that shapes our culture, governance, advocacy, and resource development efforts while leading the charge on various program and operational fronts.

In this exciting position, the CEO will spearhead Community Roots’ vision for strengthening and expanding the organization’s portfolio, propelling our growth as stewards of our community and in fulfilling our mission. Imagine building meaningful relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders—from community leaders, to the Resident Advisory Council, to elected officials, to major donors—all to enhance Community Roots’ impact in the affordable housing sector. The goal is to diversify our financial resources, nurturing a thriving team of 100 talented individuals, including 5 direct reports, all committed to our cause.

As the face of the organization, the CEO must embody our values of inclusivity, transparency, and a genuine focus on residents. We’re looking for someone with political savvy, capable of fostering strong connections with government officials, industry leaders, and philanthropic partners. This role isn’t just about leading; it’s about serving as the top ambassador to stakeholders, highlighting the success of Community Roots as a mission-driven provider of affordable housing, aimed at uplifting the lives of residents and the communities we serve.

To excel in this role, the CEO should possess a robust understanding of affordable housing development and tax credit finance, along with a keen ability to make timely, informed decisions about real estate projects. It’s a challenging landscape, but with the right expertise, it’s possible to navigate these waters successfully.

We seek a professional who combines the ability to handle complex real estate and community development projects with thoughtfulness and perseverance. An articulate communicator with high emotional intelligence and a good sense of humor will thrive here. If you’re ready to take on this dynamic challenge, we’d love to have you lead our mission forward!

Community Roots Housing is a mission based, values-based organization and the CEO must have the character to match. 

Opportunities for Impact

Financial Stabilization & Sustainability – In collaboration with other Community Roots team members, the new CEO will guide Community Roots to improve cash flow management, optimize margins, expand our real estate development portfolio, and enhance portfolio economics focused on both growth and efficiencies.

Fund Development – In partnership with the Community Roots Housing Foundation Executive Director, build on our 15-year history of fund development to take our achievements to the next level, identifying and securing contributed revenue from individual donors as well as public and private institutional funders.

Relationship Building - Fostering strong relationships built on trust with our staff, residents, board members, city leaders, elected officials, donors, funders, and development partners is essential for our shared success.

Organizational Assessment - Conduct an organizational assessment, celebrate department strengths and gain valuable insights into the unique nuances that drive Community Roots’ success. Build bridges and enhance communication between and among departments to most effectively and efficiently pursue the organization’s mission.

Staff Development and Retention – Ensure that Community Roots provides competitive compensation packages as well as enticing professional development opportunities to attract and retain high caliber team members. Effectively leverage the gifts and talents of the Community Roots team to provide world class housing and critical resources to the community.

Property Management – Work with the Property Management team to identify and implement strategies designed to enhance occupancy rates and deploy the necessary resources to address maintenance needs across the portfolio.

Resident Services – Lead Community Roots in developing programs that connect residents with life-affirming resources to support their housing stability and self-determined goals. Support the Resident Advisory Council’s role in developing resident leaders.

What You Bring

Community Roots is intentional in hiring processes, seeing it as a chance to interrupt the cycle of racial and economic injustice that limits communities from accessing employment, building skills and investing in their own leadership development. Community Roots prioritizes applicants who have firsthand experience in navigating the many systems that their residents face which impede their opportunities for success, as majority marginalized communities. Candidates will be evaluated on the full range of their lived and learned experience and core competencies, including:

·         Property management and/or property development specifically with affordable housing

·         Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

·         Experience working with and/or serving on boards of directors

·         Skills in analyzing complex financial data

·         Building community relationships

·         Collaborative leadership style

·         Focus on staff support and recognition along with professional development

·         Strategic planning and implementation

·         Political acumen

·         Donor relationship management and fund development

·         Exceptional written and verbal communication, including public speaking

·         Contract negotiations

·         Demonstrated experience in a significant leadership role

Total Compensation & Benefits

The annual salary range for this position is $225,000 - $265,000

Community Roots is committed to supporting all employees through competitive salary and benefits, a commitment to equity and inclusion, and training and professional development opportunities.

The comprehensive benefits package includes:

·         32 days of PTO earned during the first year of employment, increasing annually

·         52 hours of annual sick leave

·         16 hours of annual personal leave

·         Sabbatical Program

·         Hybrid work setting

·         Group Term Life Insurance

·         Long Term Disability Insurance

·         Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

·         Dental Insurance

·         Vision Insurance

·         The Medical plan of your choice (Waiver may be available with proof of other Group coverage)

·         Relocation assistance available

Click here to view Community Roots’ full benefits summary

To Be Considered

The position is open until filled with a priority deadline of June 6, although we highly encourage applying as soon as possible. Cover letters (two pages or less) addressed to Board Chair, Frank Alvarado and a resume can be submitted to Valtas at: https://valtasgroup.hire.trakstar.com/jobs/fk0pzhm

You may direct questions to Ed Rogan at ed@valtasgroup.com - 206.697.8428 or Chris Cannon at chris@valtasgroup.com – 971.666.2621.

Community Roots Housing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates of color, LGBTQ+ candidates, women, candidates with disabilities and candidates of all religions and national origins are strongly encouraged to apply.  Community Roots Housing is a “Ban the Box” employer.  However, per Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development requirements, any candidate selected for this position must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment.