Contract Legacy Land Trust Director

Affiliated with Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City

Position: Contract / Part-Time for 20 hours a week

Pay: $34 per hour

Reports to: Director of Advocacy and Community Collaboration

Works with: LLT Board, Habitat KC leadership, community partners, municipalities, funders, developers, homeowners, and residents

Position Overview

Legacy Land Trust (LLT), affiliated with Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City, is being developed to expand access to permanently affordable homeownership and strengthen neighborhood stability throughout the Kansas City region.

The Contract Director will provide strategic, operational, real estate, and partnership leadership as the Land Trust is established and grows. The Director will help build the systems, partnerships, properties, policies, funding relationships, and community engagement strategies needed for a sustainable organization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Organizational Leadership

• Develop and implement LLT's strategic plan and growth priorities.
• Establish policies, procedures, operating systems, and performance measures.
• Advise the Board and Habitat KC leadership on opportunities, risks, partnerships, financial operations and priorities.

Homeownership & Stewardship

• Establish systems to preserve the long-term affordability of LLT homes.
• Oversee ground-lease and homeowner stewardship processes.
• Partner with Habitat KC's homeownership and mortgage teams.
• Monitor compliance and develop policies for resale, refinancing, inheritance, and transfers.
• Balance long-term affordability with homeowner equity and economic mobility.

Board & Representation

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the LLT Board.
• Support Board recruitment, governance, compliance, and fiduciary practices.
• Prepare Board materials, reports, and recommendations.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for LLT and Habitat KC and build relationships across the Kansas City housing ecosystem.

Real Estate & Development

• Provide feedback on properties for acquisition and development opportunities.
• Support due diligence, including zoning, title, environmental, financial, and site feasibility review.
• Work with Habitat KC and external developers to advance projects including working with legal counsel and leadership on development agreements, ground leases and necessary information for transactions.

Community & Government Partnerships

• Build relationships with residents, community leaders, municipalities, housing authorities, and regional agencies in coordination with the advocacy team.
• Ensure resident priorities inform development and investment decisions.
• Represent LLT at community meetings, housing coalitions, public forums, and events in coordination with Habitat KC’s advocacy team.

Fund Development & Financial Sustainability

• Identify and cultivate funding opportunities in coordination with Habitat KC’s development and advocacy teams including long-term sustained revenue strategies. 
• Support grants, campaigns, sponsorships, and other fundraising efforts.

Qualifications

Required or strongly preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in affordable housing, real estate, community development, nonprofit leadership, finance, or a related field.
• Understanding of affordable housing and/or community land trust models.
• Experience with real estate transactions, development projects, or complex community initiatives.
• Strong financial literacy and understanding of development budgets and financing.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and thrive in a mission-driven environment.

Preferred:

• Shared equity or long-term affordability stewardship experience.
• Knowledge of HOME, CDBG, housing trust funds, ARPA, or similar financing.
• Experience with housing policy, municipal government, or real estate acquisition/disposition.
• Experience launching or scaling a nonprofit or social-impact initiative.
• Familiarity with the Kansas City metropolitan housing market.

Contract Structure & Compensation

The position is expected to begin as a contract engagement, with the scope potentially evolving as LCLT grows. The initial engagement may include:

• Approximately 12 months, with defined annual and quarterly deliverables.
• Mutually agreed consulting fee or annualized compensation.
• Reimbursement of approved business expenses.
• Evaluation at the end of the initial term to determine future organizational needs and potential for an expanded or permanent leadership role.