LISC is one of the country’s largest community development organizations, helping forge vibrant, resilient communities across America. LISC works with residents and partners to close gaps in health, wealth, and opportunity so that people and places can thrive. We do this by acting as a conduit for grants, loans and equity--and by providing technical assistance and capacity building--to locally rooted organizations that carry out the work in communities.
Position Overview
LISC Indianapolis has been working alongside residents and partners for more than 30 years to strengthen communities and expand economic opportunities. We are seeking a Program Officer, Housing and Real Estate Development to help advance LISC Indianapolis’ local housing strategy and support the creation and preservation of affordable housing throughout Indianapolis and surrounding communities. The Program Officer will manage the business development and originations strategy, help identify and originate housing and real estate development lending opportunities, guide intake, and support underwriting for the Indianapolis office, working closely with local partners and LISC’s Lending and Investment teams to move mission-aligned projects forward.
This role will manage our housing programs and real estate development initiatives, strengthen the capacity of nonprofit and mission-driven housing partners, and help align public, private, philanthropic, and community stakeholders around practical solutions that increase housing stability and neighborhood investment.
Key Responsibilities
Housing Strategy and Program Management
- Manage programs and activities connected to LISC Indianapolis’ local housing strategy, including efforts focused on affordable housing preservation, housing production, homeowner stability, and partner capacity building.
- Track local housing trends, project pipelines, partner needs, and implementation barriers to help inform LISC Indianapolis’ housing priorities and investment strategies.
- Prepare reports, presentations, briefing materials, and written updates on housing programs, real estate development activity, partner progress, and program impact.
- Manage a portfolio of housing and real estate development initiatives, including grantmaking, partner support, technical assistance, program monitoring, and evaluation of outcomes.
- Cultivate relationships with funders, financial institutions, public agencies, and philanthropic partners to align funding and investment opportunities with LISC Indianapolis’ housing and real estate development goals.
- Support the preparation of proposals, applications, reports, presentations, and tours as required by funders, investors, LISC, and other stakeholders.
- Manage grants, contracts, and consulting engagements with community-based partners and technical assistance providers, including program scopes, disbursements, partner monitoring, and narrative and financial reporting.
- Participate in peer learning opportunities with other LISC markets and departments, and support special projects as needed.
Real Estate Development and Lending
- Identify and cultivate housing and real estate development lending opportunities aligned with LISC Indianapolis’ mission, local housing strategy, and neighborhood priorities.
- Build and maintain relationships with nonprofit developers, emerging developers, community development corporations, public agencies, private developers, lenders, funders, and other real estate partners.
- Support early-stage project review, including assessment of project concepts, development budgets, sources and uses, financing gaps, timelines, partner capacity, and alignment with LISC priorities.
- Coordinate with LISC Lending, underwriting, legal, asset management, and investment teams to help move prospective deals through the appropriate review, approval, closing, and monitoring processes.
Partner Capacity Building and Neighborhood Engagement
- Strengthen the capacity of local housing partners, nonprofit developers, community development corporations, emerging developers, and mission-driven real estate partners to plan, finance, and execute affordable housing and community development projects.
- Convene trainings, peer learning sessions, workshops, and partner meetings to share best practices and support local developer capacity.
- Serve as LISC’s neighborhood liaison for assigned Quality of Life Plan area(s), representing LISC at local meetings and building relationships with resident leaders and partners
- Explore opportunities to leverage LISC tools, programs, and investments to support the implementation of neighborhood plans and foster vibrant local economies
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree (or the equivalent) from an accredited college or university. Master’s degree preferred or requisite relevant work experience.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in affordable housing, real estate development, community development finance, urban planning, lending, public policy, nonprofit program management, or related field work in neighborhoods.
Skills & Competencies
- Community Development: Commitment to an inclusive, community-based, resident-driven model of community planning and decision-making that strengthens Indianapolis neighborhoods.
- Affordable Housing and Real Estate Development: Understanding of affordable housing production, preservation, real estate development, development budgets, capital stacks, and the roles of public, private, philanthropic, and nonprofit partners.
- Lending and Capital Access: Ability to identify mission-aligned lending opportunities, assess early-stage project readiness, and coordinate with Lending and Investment teams to help move deals forward to loan closing.
- Borrower Technical Assistance: Ability to provide practical guidance, problem-solving support, and technical assistance to borrowers and real estate development partners to strengthen project readiness, navigate financing requirements, address capacity gaps, and position projects for success.
- Program Implementation: Ability to manage and adapt programs that advance housing strategy, real estate development, partner capacity, and neighborhood priorities.
- Project Management: Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, balance competing priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Analysis and Problem Solving: Uses data, partner input, and sound judgment to identify challenges, evaluate options, and develop practical solutions.
- Communication & Facilitation: Listens, speaks, writes, and facilitates effectively to build trust with team members and partners, and clearly convey information to different audiences.
- Relationship Building: Builds positive relationships and works collaboratively with residents, community organizations, employers, funders, and civic leaders.
- Detail Orientation: Ensures information is complete and accurate, delivering high-quality work on time and maintaining strong documentation for programs, grants, contracts, and lending-related activities.
COMPENSATION:
LISC offers a competitive salary ($69,290-$86,612) and excellent fringe benefits.
*Actual salaries may be based on several factors including, but not limited to, a candidate's skill set, experience, education, work location and other qualifications.
Our benefits include:
Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage: Comprehensive health plans for you and your family's well-being; Disability Insurance: Long-term and short-term coverage for peace of mind; Retirement Savings: Secure your future with our 401(k) and 403(b) plans; Generous Holidays: Enjoy ample time off to recharge and celebrate; Vacation, PTO, and Sick Days: Take advantage of flexible time-off policies to maintain work-life balance; Tuition Assistance: Pursue your educational goals with support from our tuition assistance program; Referral Program: Earn rewards for referring qualified candidates to join our team; Professional Development Opportunities: Grow and advance in your career with access to ongoing training and development programs tailored to your goals.
LISC is an equal opportunity employer. LISC does not discriminate in employment on account of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military status or veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.
We will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.