Business Development Assistant to the CEO

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT & CEO

JOB DESCRIPTION

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

The Finance Authority of New Orleans (“FANO”) is a housing and development finance agency with a mission to improve the quality of life in the city of New Orleans by directly investing in the creation of affordable housing and economic development projects that produce quality jobs and wealth for residents.

FANO was created by the City Council of New Orleans in 1978 under the provisions of the
Louisiana Public Trust Code (La. Revised Statutes 9:2341-47). FANO was originally called the
“New Orleans Home Mortgage Authority” but changed its brand in 1999. FANO is not a department or division of the City of New Orleans but its seven-member Board of Trustees is appointed by the City Council of New Orleans.

Since 1978, FANO has financed more than $630 million worth of mortgages and down payment grants for more than 7,800 first-time homebuyers and low to moderate income families throughout Orleans Parish. In addition to financing single family housing, FANO provides financing for multi-family housing, neighborhood infrastructure and small businesses.

JOB SUMMARY

The Business Development Assistant to the CEO (“the BDA”) is a director-level, full-time position that reports directly to Damon Burns, FANO’s CEO. The BDA is a critically important role, enabling the CEO to work most effectively with internal and external stakeholders and fulfill his commitments to FANO the Board of Trustees, partners, and investors. This is not an administrative role; it is highly strategic and facilitative one that requires a combination of focus and flexibility, as well as a willingness to play an active, behind-the-scenes role. As the CEO’s ‘trusted counsel’, the role requires a highly resourceful individual with strong emotional intelligence, self- motivation, and strong analytical skills.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Preparation for, and facilitation of, “critical path” CEO meetings (e.g., with FANO executive leadership, current or potential FANO partners, investors, government officials, and peer executives).

• Coordination/orchestration of projects or commitments directly involving the CEO and his direct reports.

• Independent leadership of special CEO-initiated projects, ranging from written products to be authored by the CEO to convening thought leaders on various topics.

• Perform analyses based on requests from the CEO or Board of Trustees

• Draft communication on behalf of the CEO and/or research in support of these.
• Proactive identification of issues that could impact the successful execution of the CEO’s commitments.

• Support the needs of the executive staff in their ability to raise critical issues with the CEO and receive needed responses, guidance and decisions.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Meeting Preparation/Facilitation

• Work closely with CEO’s Executive Assistant to remain apprised of upcoming CEO commitments

• Confirm objectives for the meeting and recommend participants and best approach

• Create and maintain various meeting reports

• Work with CEO’s Executive Assistant to ensure appropriate and timely communication to participants

• Attend various meetings with CEO and take minutes, documenting key items and deliverables

• Monitor progress/achievement of deliverables

Strategic Plan Coordination/Orchestration

• Develop and maintain an inventory of critical path projects in which the CEO is especially interested and/or for which his awareness and involvement is essential

• Work with Executive staff to align their actions and communications in support of agreed upon goals. Be prepared to apprise the CEO of project status and variations from schedule or scope

Leadership of Special Projects

• Scope, plan and execute multiple, often quick-turnaround projects with minimal outside assistance

• Present ideas for special projects that might facilitate the CEO’s/leadership’s objectives

• Work with appropriate stakeholders, including outside parties, to undertake analysis

• Present findings to CEO, Executive staff, or Board, as appropriate

• If necessary, oversee transfer of the project to other stakeholders within the organization

Communication

• Create and maintain inventory of upcoming communication “events”—including articles, columns, speeches, panel discussions, etc.

• Create, maintain and leverage a relationship mapping of the CEO’s and FANO’s key external relationships and their respective interconnectivity.

• Perform agreed upon work—including coordinating with others who might be involved; communication must be clear, concise, compelling and adhere to FANO guidelines

• Prepare follow up correspondence for internal and external meetings, as directed by the CEO.

• Conduct fact checking-in support of all communications.

• Represent the FANO in outside forums that the CEO cannot attend. Possibly, accompanying another FANO executive to a meeting.

• Follow up with copies of communication materials as appropriate.

Issues Identification

• Engage in root cause analysis—often without prompting from the CEO or others—on issues and opportunities that could impact the FANO executive agenda

• Develop alternative approaches to addressing the problem or opportunity

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The incumbent will gain highly valuable skills enabling him or her to more readily attain a general management perspective/role that encompasses the strategic, financial, and operational aspects of leading a non-profit organization.

Specifically, the BDA will:

• Become aware of issues from an integrative, executive leadership perspective

• Obtain an up close and personal understanding of leadership and decision-making related to the simultaneous execution of a complex growth strategy and the transformation of an industry sector.

• Be exposed to senior executives and Board members, with the opportunity to learn from their strengths and developmental areas

• Be mentored by the CEO

• Have access to formal developmental opportunities that augment their responsibilities as BDA.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Critical core competencies for successful performance in this role are:

• Highly-developed communications skills (written/verbal) and interpersonal savvy

• Results/action-orientated; project management skills

• Organizational and political agility; developed negotiation skills

• Unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, diversity and trust

• Able to successfully navigate within varying degrees of ambiguity in a fast-paced environment

• Strong strategic/financial analysis skills

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

This role provides privileged access to the inner workings of FANO and to highly sensitive information. The successful candidate will be discrete, high-energy, agile-minded, strategic, proactive, a direct communicator, highly-organized, and committed to the vision and values of
FANO. In addition, the following standards will generally define the successful candidate:

• Minimum two-year commitment to the role that would prepare the incumbent for a more general management role at FANO or beyond

• MBA, MPP or JD required

• Minimum of 5 years work experience in a similar position required

• Applicable/transferable experience: private sector roles in law, business strategy or consulting; public sector policy roles; campaign aides/strategists;

• Market research experience a plus

• Prior publications preferred, as the successful candidate will be required to draft articles that are publishable

• Willingness to work hard and take direction, and creatively solve problems

• Mission-driven; passionate about FANO and related constituencies

• Knowledge of FANO and key stakeholders desirable, but not essential

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

There is limited travel involved (a minimum of 4 days per month), as the BDA will accompany the CEO to selected offsite meetings.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $40,000.00 to $50,000.00 /year

Experience:

• Business Development: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location:

• One location

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Flexible schedule
• Professional development assistance