HOPE Action Board Director of Strategic Initiatives

The HOPE Action Board Director of Strategic Initiatives serves as the lead strategist, convener, and implementation manager for the Mat-Su HOPE Action Board's efforts to prevent and end homelessness in the Mat-Su Borough. This position is responsible for driving implementation of HOPE's Five-Year Strategic Action and Funding Plan; coordinating cross-sector partnerships; promoting data-informed decision-making; supporting funding and policy initiatives; and ensuring accountability for measurable community outcomes.

The Director serves as the primary liaison among local government, housing providers, healthcare organizations, behavioral health agencies, Tribal organizations, business leaders, and individuals with lived expertise. The position requires a skilled professional capable of facilitating collaboration among diverse stakeholders while advancing community-wide solutions to housing instability and homelessness.

Within the first year, the Director will be expected to:

·         Develop and maintain HOPE implementation dashboards and outcome tracking systems.

·         Facilitate regular board and committee meetings that advance the Tactics.

·         Produce quarterly progress reports and annual community impact reports.

·         Strengthen stakeholder engagement and cross-sector collaboration.

·         Advance priority objectives identified within the Five-Year Plan.

Essential Job Functions

Strategic Leadership & Systems Development

Lead implementation of HOPE's Five-Year Strategic Action and Funding Plan and monitor progress toward strategic objectives.

Facilitate conversations/focus groups among public, nonprofit, healthcare, housing, and community stakeholders that come from the board action plan/initiatives.

Develop annual work plans, performance measures, and implementation priorities for Board approval.

Identify systemic barriers to housing stability and recommend policy, funding, and programmatic solutions.

Monitor emerging federal, state, and local housing and homelessness initiatives and communicate implications to HOPE.

Support development of recommendations to local elected officials and community leaders.

Community Planning & Policy Development

Convene stakeholders to develop coordinated responses to homelessness and housing needs.

Support implementation of best practices and evidence-based interventions.

Develop policy briefs, issue papers, and recommendations for Board consideration.

Serve as a subject matter resource regarding homelessness systems, coordinated entry, housing-first approaches, and supportive services.

Board & Committee Support (in conjunction with Valley Charities staff)

·         Provide administrative support to the HOPE Action Board.

·         Schedule Board and committee meetings.

·         Prepare agendas, reports, presentations, and supporting materials.

·         Record and distribute meeting minutes.

·         Support Board committees and working groups as needed.

·         Maintain organized records of Board activities and decisions.

Data & Performance Management

·         Track and analyze data related to homelessness in the Mat-Su Borough.

·         Promote effective use of data tools including the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and Homeless Connect.

·         Identify service gaps, trends, and opportunities using data.

·         Prepare reports, summaries, and visual presentations of data to inform Board strategy and decision-making.

Public Representation & Community Engagement

·         Serve as the primary point of contact for the HOPE Action Board.

·         Respond to inquiries from community members, businesses, media, and elected officials.

·         Present information about homelessness and HOPE Action Board activities at public forums including:

o    Community Councils

o    Borough Assembly meetings

o    Public hearings and workshops

o    Community meetings and events

Secondary Responsibilities

Funding & Partnerships

·         Support the Board in identifying potential funding sources to complete Action Plan goals.

·         Assist with coordination of grant opportunities as directed by the Board.

·         Network with peers and regional partners working on homelessness solutions.

Education & Outreach

·         Educate community partners, government agencies, and the public about homelessness challenges and solutions in the Mat-Su Borough.

·         Support community awareness efforts related to housing stability and homelessness prevention.

Qualifications

Core Competencies

·         Strategic thinking

·         Community collaboration

·         Public speaking and facilitation

·         Data analysis and performance measurement

·         Policy analysis

·         Relationship management

·         Cultural humility and inclusion

·         Conflict resolution and consensus building

Preferred Qualifications

·         Experience living and working in the Mat-Su Borough; current residence preferred.

·         Familiarity with housing and homelessness issues in Alaska.

·         Experience working with coalitions, boards, or multi-stakeholder initiatives.

·         Experience with community planning, public engagement, or program coordination.

Highly Valued

·         Prior lived experience of homelessness.

Skills & Abilities

·         Strong written and verbal communication skills.

·         Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

·         Strong organizational and project management abilities.

·         Ability to coordinate complex tasks and manage multiple priorities.

·         Effective facilitation and meeting management skills.

·         Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

·         Ability to work with a diverse range of stakeholders across sectors.

·         Proficiency with standard office software (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Adobe, etc.).

·         Ability to analyze and communicate data clearly to both technical and general audiences.