Interim Program Director, Remaking Local Economies (53636)

The Land and Communities team at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy works at the intersection of land use, housing, economic development, and climate resilience. We believe that how land is used, taxed, and regulated determines who benefits from growth, who bears its costs, and whether communities can adapt to a changing world—and we work to ensure those decisions serve everyone. Our work spans three interconnected domains: inclusive economic development, housing affordability and security, and climate mitigation and adaptation. Rather than treating these as separate silos, we pursue integrated approaches that create durable, equitable outcomes for communities that have historically been excluded from the benefits of growth. 

The Interim Program Director, Remaking Local Economies is a fixed-term leadership role on the Land and Communities team at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. The Director will lead the Remaking Local Economies (RLE) program — the Institute's primary vehicle for research, capacity-building, and field engagement on inclusive economic development, community wealth-building, and the revitalization of places experiencing population and economic decline. This role calls for a seasoned leader who can step in quickly, earn the trust of a talented program team, and sustain momentum on a robust FY27 workplan while helping to shape the program's longer-term direction. 

• Lead implementation of the FY27 Remaking Local Economies (RLE) program workplans, including the Legacy Cities Community of Practice and Remaking Economic Development Policy and Practice projects 

• Manage and develop existing RLE projects, including managing budgets and securing contracted support where deemed necessary to ensure and maximize project execution  

• Manage and conduct research that generates content advancing debates and practices in inclusive economic development, community wealth-building, and the well-being of places experiencing population or economic decline 

• Inspire and manage the RLE program team, ensuring alignment with team goals and identifying opportunities for professional growth  

• Lead existing collaborations between RLE and other programs within Land and Communities as well as across the Lincoln Institute, and identify opportunities and strategies for new and deepened collaboration  

• Maintain and strengthen the Lincoln Institute’s existing relationships with practitioners, community members, local leaders, and partners and build new relationships with external partners for the RLE program 

• Manage grants and funder relations related to the RLE program, in consultation and collaboration with Land and Communities leadership and the Partnerships team 

• Identify and support execution of RLE communications and publications in collaboration with PCLDUX, guiding content creation and audience identification, including representing the Remaking Local Economies work with external audiences 

• Author or co-author publications that advance RLE’s goals, including policy reports, working papers, op-eds and/or blog posts.  

• Support development of RLE programming and budget for FY28 in collaboration with Land and Communities leadership and program colleagues 

• Represent the RLE program internally, as a standing member of the Land and Communities leadership team and in other internal fora as required 

• Contribute to creating and maintaining an organizational culture that is collaborative, respectful, values learning, and promotes equity and opportunity 

• 12+ years of experience in a role that demonstrates transferable skills (including 5+ years of managerial experience).  

• Expert-level subject matter expertise in the relationship between land policy and economic development, as well as the field of community development. 

• Strong willingness to learn.  

• Superior communication, leadership, and presentation skills to act as the public face of the Remaking Local Economies program  

• Demonstrated ability and interest in training policymakers, their advisors, and staff  

• Demonstrated ability and interest in initiating and negotiating collaborative work with relevant institutions working in the fields of planning, economic development, housing, and poverty reduction 

• Established management experience and track record leading project teams to successful completion of work 

• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and judgement.  

• Proficiency in basic office software (e.g., Microsoft Office).  

You Will Be Preferred With:

• PhD, or Terminal degree

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy seeks to improve quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land. A nonprofit private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Lincoln Institute researches and recommends creative approaches to land as a solution to economic, social, and environmental challenges. Through education, training, publications, and events, we integrate theory and practice to inform public policy decisions. We organize our work around three impact areas: land and water; land and fiscal systems; and land and communities. We envision a world where cities and regions prosper and benefit from coordinated land use planning and public finance; where communities thrive from efficient and equitable allocation of limited land resources; and where stewardship of land and water resources ensures a livable future.

Include but are not limited to (a) 3x employer contribution towards retirement matching your employee contribution up to 15%, (b) health insurance, (c) dental insurance, (d) vision insurance, (e) 100% reimbursement of the health care deductible through a health reimbursement account, (f) short-term disability coverage, (g) long term disability coverage, (h) paid parental leave, (i) voluntary insurances such as accident insurance, (j) health care flexible spending, (k) dependent care flexible spending, (l) paid time off for holidays, vacation, personal, sick, bereavement, and jury duty, (m) office closure between December 24 – Jan 1 each calendar year, (n) flexible schedule and option for a compressed 4 day workweek, (o) tuition and staff development reimbursement, (p) pet insurance, and (q) Employee Assistance Program. 

Please submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter should succinctly describe your interest to join the team; why you are qualified; and what relevant expertise and experience you offer. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The salary market range for this role is posted above and dependent on level of education and years of experience. We value internal and external equity and encourage those who may be missing qualifications to submit their materials still.

Cooperation and Teamwork, Forthright Feedback, Initiative, Acceptance of Responsibility, Multicultural Sensitivity

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment by hiring, training, promoting, and carrying out personnel procedures with respect to compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, or terminations, on the basis of individual merit, experience, and ability without regard to race (including traits historically associated with race such as hair texture, length of hair, protective hairstyles or cultural or religious headdresses), color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), ancestry, citizenship status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, military service, serious medical condition, expunged juvenile record, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, status as a victim, credit information, homelessness status, reproductive health decision making, or any other characteristic protected by law or otherwise.

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is a Non-Smoking organization. Smoking and the use of tobacco products are prohibited at all times and on all property owned, leased, or under the control of Lincoln Institute of Land Policy at all times, including, but not limited to indoor and outdoor grounds, walkways and sidewalks, parking lots, company vehicles, and private vehicles parked on Lincoln Institute of Land Policy property.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.