Mission
As an expression of Christian faith, Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity will work with people of diverse faiths and backgrounds to build affordable homes and to provide homeownership opportunities for low-income families in the Capital Region.

Background
Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity (Hartford Habitat) received its Affiliate Charter in 1989 and serves the 33 towns of the Capitol Region in central Connecticut. Since 1989, Hartford Habitat has completed 185 homes housing more than 700 individuals in Greater Hartford. Although the organization expects the majority of its building activity will continue to be in Hartford, it is committed to eliminating inadequate housing in all of the towns in the 33-town region.

Hartford Habitat has a staff of 13, including directors in construction, finance, development and family services, and is supported by a 19-member board of directors. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, total revenues exceeded $3.1 million. Hartford Habitat enjoys a favorable reputation both locally and among other affiliates in the northeastern region of the U.S., as well as at Habitat for Humanity International in Americus, Georgia. Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity is one of 10 Habitat affiliates in Connecticut.

Hartford Habitat’s principal partners include:

• City, state and federal agencies.
• Major corporations including Aetna, Carrier, The Hartford, Stanley Black & Decker and Travelers.
• Private foundations.
• Individual donors.

The challenge and opportunity
Hartford Habitat has been led over the past five years by a talented and well-regarded executive director who has guided the organization through significant growth during challenging economic times, and has built a strong network of foundation, community and governmental support for Hartford Habitat’s mission and vision.

The challenge for the new executive director of Hartford Habitat will be to build upon past successes and provide new, creative leadership for a complex organization comprised of major activities in land acquisition; new construction; multi-project financial oversight and mortgage instruments; fund development and donor relations; social services and family partnerships; community relations and advocacy; and volunteer management.

The executive director position offers the opportunity for a leader to put a passion for Hartford Habitat’s mission, combined with creative ideas and operational expertise, to create additional ways to expand on Hartford Habitat’s impact in the Hartford region.

Strategic goals
As Hartford Habitat moves into its third decade, the following are the five-year strategic goals and associated implementation priorities in support of these goals:

• Expand homeownership opportunities for low-income families while also pursuing mission consistent opportunities to strengthen communities and revitalize neighborhoods.
• Enhance Hartford Habitat’s support for partner families and broaden its impact on community building.
• Raise Hartford Habitat’s profile to enhance public awareness of its impact in the community, and more broadly engage the community in our mission.
• Expand and diversify financial resources available to support operations in the short term, and shore up the financial base of the organization to permit program growth and promote sustainable fiscal health over the long-term.
• Use and strengthen Hartford Habitat’s human resources and management systems in ways that leverage talents, foster organizational effectiveness and efficiency and advance long-term strategic goals.

Profile of the ideal candidate
Reporting to the board of directors, the executive director must be a passionate advocate for expanding and creating homeownership opportunities for low-income families while also pursuing mission consistent opportunities to strengthen communities and revitalize neighborhoods, and must have a professional background that demonstrates an ability to work successfully and respectfully with people of different life experiences.

The executive director shall be the chief operating officer of the affiliate, and is responsible for the successful leadership and management of Hartford Habitat and its program of ministry, according to the strategic direction set by the board, in accordance with Hartford Habitat’s stated purpose. He or she will be a strategic thinker, a problem solver and a coalition builder. He or she will also be a well-organized, results-driven and inspiring leader.

Application information
This executive search is being conducted by Third Sector New England’s Executive Transitions Program with Transition Consultant Michael Negrón. All submissions are confidential. For a more detailed description and/or to apply, please visit http://www.tsne.org/jobs/habitat. Only online applications will be accepted.

Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates.

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