Director of Fund Design

What We Do

With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families.

Strategies We Pursue

• Equip talent in underinvested communities with the skills and credentials to compete successfully for quality income and wealth opportunities.
• Invest in businesses, housing and other community infrastructure to catalyze economic, health, safety and educational mobility for individuals and communities.
• Strengthen existing alliances while building new collaborations to increase our impact on the progress of people and places.
• Develop leadership and the capacity of partners to advance our work together.
• Drive local, regional, and national policy and system changes that foster broadly shared prosperity and well-being.

Since 1979, LISC and its affiliates have invested approximately $29.7 billion in businesses, affordable housing, health, educational mobility, community and recreational facilities, public safety, employment, and other projects that help to revitalize and stabilize underinvested communities. Headquartered in New York City, LISC’s reach spans the country from East coast to West coast in 38 markets with offices extending from Buffalo to San Francisco and in 2,400 rural counties across 49 states and Puerto Rico. Visit us at www.lisc.org

About Strategic Investments

The LISC Strategic Investments team leads the design, development, and deployment of impact investment funds in LISC’s local markets nationwide. Strategic Investments employs an “impact first” investment methodology that optimizes the impact on the communities we care about while achieving sustainable risk-adjusted returns for investors.

The unique power of LISCs local office presence combined with the strength of our national investment expertise is a powerful combination for creating real impact in the communities we serve. This network requires careful coordination between Strategic Investments, the LISC Local Offices, and other stakeholders within LISC. While many groups within the LISC organization support fund management activities, the Strategic Investments team is ultimately responsible for ensuring a successful track record for LISC’s off balance sheet fund investments.  Visit us at www.liscstrategicinvestments.org                  

POSITION OVERVIEW

Are you a fund structuring expert ready to design the next generation of impact investment vehicles? As Director of Fund Design at LISC Fund Management, you'll lead the creation of innovative investment vehicles that bridge market needs with community impact.  You've spent years mastering the technical aspects of fund structuring and financial modeling, but what really excites you is designing novel investment vehicles that solve complex challenges. Whether you're responding to RFPs for impact-first initiatives or creating new place-based investment funds, you'll draw on your deep experience in both traditional and impact finance to develop market-ready solutions.

In this role, you'll collaborate with diverse stakeholders - from philanthropies, investors and legal counsel to community partners - to shape investment vehicles that deliver both financial returns and meaningful impact. Your ability to translate complex financial structures into clear narratives will be crucial as you present to potential investors and guide internal teams.  You understand that successful fund design requires both innovation and practicality. Your experience with real estate finance, small business lending, or community development gives you the foundation to create structures that work in the real world while pushing the boundaries of impact investing.  If you're ready to apply your fund structuring expertise to shape the future of community development finance, we want to hear from you. Join our team and help build the investment vehicles that will drive the coming decades of social impact.

RESPOSIBIITES 

The following are an indication of the position’s core responsibilities; these are intended to illustrate the scope of responsibilities and are not exclusive of other duties that may be required.

Fund Development and Capitalization (50%)

Accountability for structuring and securing anchor investor and first loss capital for innovative fund structures

• Analyze market conditions and competitor offerings to inform fund design
• Coordinate with various stakeholders, including legal counsel, to incorporate feedback into fund design and fund structure documentation
• Manage relationships with external partners and technical assistance providers
• Secure initial (anchor / first-loss/ credit enhancement) capital to seed innovative investment vehicle from local governments, philanthropies, and corporations
• Collaborate with the Fund Development team on additional investor structuring, negotiations, and closings

Fund Strategy, Structuring, and Research (30%)

Accountability for the design and development of innovative fund structures for debt and equity investments

• Develop fund strategies that align with market needs and investor requirements in emerging impact areas
• Conduct market research and stakeholder engagement to optimize fund structures for specific impact goals including responses to RFIs and RFPs for new fund opportunities
• Create and present comprehensive fund design documentation and investment guidelines

Fund Modeling and Analysis Review (20%)

Accountability for ensuring the viability of investor terms and range of financial returns as reflected in the fund structure, product offering, and modeling

• Review and validate financial projections and assumptions
• Ensure models effectively capture both financial returns and impact metrics
• Direct stress testing and scenario analysis to demonstrate fund resilience
• Guide updates to fund models as investments are made and capital is raised

 QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, or related field from an accredited college or university or requisite relevant work experience
• Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in fund structuring, investment management, or structured finance, with specific experience in impact investing or community development finance
• Demonstrated track record of designing and implementing innovative fund structures, particularly in debt and equity funds
• Strong understanding of real estate finance, small business lending, and community development financial products
• Expert-level financial modeling skills with experience leading model development for complex fund structures
• Experience responding to and winning RFPs/RFIs for new fund opportunities
• Strong strategic thinking abilities with proven success in designing market-responsive investment vehicles
• Excellence in stakeholder management and ability to present complex financial structures to diverse audiences
• Deep understanding of impact measurement frameworks and ESG investing principles
• Proven leadership experience with ability to guide teams and work across functions
• Track record of successful fund launches and capital raises
• Experience with federal and state funding programs
• Background in CDFIs or mission-driven financial institutions
• Knowledge of green financing and environmental impact funds
• Experience with tax credit financing (LIHTC, NMTC) and other community development tools

 SALARY

LISC offers a competitive salary ($127,500-$159,400) and excellent fringe benefits. This position is expected to travel periodically, in line with stakeholder engagement requirements.

*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.

LISC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE