Liberty Community Land Trust Project Director

Applications status: OPEN

Liberty Community Land Trust (LCLT) is a Black-centered and Black and Brown-led community land trust based in South Central Los Angeles and located in the Crenshaw community. Founded by long-time organizers and community development practitioners, LCLT was established to address the rapid gentrification and displacement of Black people in the Los Angeles region, by taking land and housing off the speculative real estate market to make it permanently affordable and placing it into stewardship of the community. LCLT operates as part of the Liberty ecosystem that includes other transformative organizational partnerships with advocacy. LCLT is seeking a Project Director.

HOURS: ​0.75 - 1 FTE (30-40 hours/week)

BENEFITS: LCLT offers a competitive package of benefits including opportunities for professional training and cross-training, sick/vacation/family leave, flexible work schedule, and health benefits. 

START DATE:​ February 2022

TO APPLY: ​[email protected]

Position Description: 

The LCLT Project Director will work with LCLT board members, members, Liberty ecosystem member organizations, partners and coalition to oversee three interrelated areas of work: 

1. Organizational Development & Administration.​ In conjunction with the LCLT Board, develop internal operating procedures and manage an annual calendar to maintain fiscal and regulatory compliance; coordinate fund development, including writing and managing grants; manage financial systems for the organization. 
2. Property Management and Ground Lease Administration. Ensure LCLT properties are well managed and in full compliance.  In coordination with the LCLT Board, develop a process to transition rental properties to tenant/cooperative ownership.  Monitor and manage Ground Lease compliance.
3. Property Acquisition and Development. Coordinate and oversee the acquisition and construction/rehabilitation process for new LCLT properties,​ in collaboration with the Board and potential residents.

Job Responsibilities:  

The Project Director will be responsible for coordinating between LCLT board members, staff, Liberty Ecosystem member partners, and other partners to carry out the following areas of work.

Housing Development and Property Acquisitions, Property Management (60%)

• Work with LCLT board members, stakeholders and development partners to identify and acquire single and multi-family properties to be placed under the LCLT Ground Lease.
  • Prepare initial project pro-forma to determine feasibility and financing  requirements
  • Negotiate purchase terms on behalf of LCLT and prepare loan and public subsidy applications if necessary.
  • Oversee Contractor bidding and selection process, and monitor construction work
  • Manage marketing and outreach activities
  • Provide Community Land Trust orientation to new residents 
• Assist tenants, resident group(s), and other community members to acquire and convert their rental properties into permanently affordable resident-run housing cooperatives, limited equity condominiums, limited equity tenancies in common, and other forms of tenant controlled ownership. This may include, but is not limited to:
  • Work with Board, staff, tenants/members, and relevant technical assistance providers and partners (i.e. legal, real estate, etc.)
  • Work with coalition partners to secure project-based financing 
• Provide technical assistance for other community control efforts that align with LCLT’s mission
• Oversee neighborhood relations in coordination with other staff members and independent consultants
• Coordinate between property managers, tenants/members, staff, and the Board to ensure healthy stewardship of LCLT properties
• Develop relationships with residents and support transition to tenant ownership
• Coordinate maintenance and repairs of LCLT properties until transition to tenant ownership is complete
• Develop and create reports for LCLT’s pilot ADU project
• Bank coordination

Organizational Development and Administration (20%)

• Attend and provide reports during bi-monthly Board meetings
• Develop internal processes and a yearly calendar to maintain fiscal compliance
• Maintain financial recordkeeping systems for organization operations and property development and management
• Board management

Fundraising and Coalition Work (20%)

• Coordinate resource development activities by researching organizational and project funding opportunities and preparing grant applications, managing grant administration and, and spearhead other fundraising efforts 
• Prepare grant applications and grant reporting

Minimum Applicant Requirements:

• At least 3 years experience in affordable housing or related real estate sector 
• Ability to maintain healthy financial systems and records (financial/organizational management)
• Ability to work remotely and independently with minimal direct supervision
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience working on teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking
• Excellent coordination skills and follow-through
• Problem-solving mentality and sense of initiative
• Experience working with culturally diverse constituents
• Willingness and ability to work occasional evenings and weekends

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Qualities​

• A Bachelor’s degree or comparable experience
• Familiarity with Community Land Trusts and cooperative housing models
• Strong facilitation skills
• Experience in anti-racist work promoting racial and social equity
• Familiarity and willingness to receive training in nonviolent communication, mediation, and restorative/transformative justice practices
• Bilingual in English and Spanish

The position reports to the LCLT Board of Directors and will be expected to work cooperatively within the Liberty Ecosystem and with a diverse group of members and partners.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

LCLT provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We strongly encourage Black Indigenous People of Color and women to apply.

One of the communities greatest cultural expressions of Black creativity is the annual Pan-African Film Festival at the Crenshaw Mall. Founded by walking legends Ayuko Babu and Danny Glover, and the recently departed Janer DuBois it the world's most acclaimed Black film festivals. We are honored to have the support and to be working with Babu and the PAFF team.

Here is their letter:

Please allow this letter to serve as a commitment of our collective support for the Downtown Crenshaw plan. It has been far too long since the Crenshaw community has envisioned such a grand plan for sustainable growth. Collectively, the Pan African Film & Arts Festival is dedicated to providing any support necessary to ensure the success of Downtown Crenshaw...

We are pleased to earn the support of the National Black Contractors' Association, Young Black Contractors Association and The Inner City Community Unilateral Apprentice Committee for this historic effort to buy, stabilize and redevelop the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza:

Here is their letter of support:

Please allow this letter to serve as a commitment of our collective support for the Downtown Crenshaw plan. It has been far too long since the Crenshaw community has envisioned such a grand plan for sustainable growth. Collectively, the National Black Contractor’s Association, the Young Black Contractors Association and The Inner City Community Unilateral Apprentice Committee are dedicated to providing any support necessary to ensure the success of Downtown Crenshaw.