Program Director, Federal Grants and State Subsidy

We are hiring a Program Director, Federal Grants and State Subsidy that will be responsible for leading the planning, execution, and oversight of federal, state and locally-publicly funded programs. This role involves developing and managing grant applications, ensuring compliance with funding requirements, and overseeing the proper use and reporting of funds. The Program Director will work closely with various stakeholders, including government agencies, nonprofits organizations, and internal teams, to advance the organization’s mission through sustainable funding mechanisms, both as a grantee and passthrough entity.

When awarded, the Program Director will focus on the administration of the Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE) program issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This program appropriates $235 million in competitive grant funding for the preservation and revitalization of manufactured housing and manufactured housing communities (MHCs). ROC USA is seeking $75M to fund 29 projects (26 of which are resident-owned communities, or ROCs, and three are current MHCs that are privately owned) across 12 states through PRICE:

Improvement of MHC Infrastructure ($31M). Critical to the health and safety of residents and the community, ROCs will complete long overdue infrastructure activities by addressing water quality, untreated sewage and septic discharge, and electrical hazards.
Expansion of Homeownership and Sustainable Growth through Infill ($11.3). Implement infill activities in eight ROCs to create 69 new affordable homes.
Preservation of MHCs and Homeownership ($22M).To increase the stock of long-term affordable manufactured housing by supporting residents in three MHCs, comprising 410 homesites, to buy the land beneath their homes to form a ROC. This would expand ROC USA’s portfolio in early-stage and new states.

Building upon our longstanding success, ROC USA and its partners will achieve the PRICE Fund’s mission to preserve and expand affordable manufactured housing for more than 2,100 homeowners. To review our full application, click here. The PRICE Program is built off of part CDBG and part HOME requirements. ROC USA has contracted with CohnReznick to provide third-party administrative support, where we will substantially outsource PRICE program development.

In the future, we want to help manufactured housing communities secure additional federal funds to help homeowners purchase their community, convert them to resident-owned cooperatives, and complete the needed infrastructure improvements to ensure long-term sustainability and economic security. Increasingly, additional government funding for these activities is being made available through state and local programs (i.e., Housing Trust Funds). This role will be instrumental in helping ROC USA passthrough government grants to ROCs or helping ROCs directly secure funds.

Assisting homeowners to acquire their MHC under the resident-ownership model presents a unique opportunity to preserve affordable housing and provide long-term stability to low- and moderate-income homeowners. However, one of the primary challenges in facilitating these acquisitions is the high market prices of these communities, which can outpace the ability of residents to secure the necessary financing. To bridge this gap, additional subsidies are essential to lower acquisition prices and ensure affordability for residents. A common requirement is the imposition of long-term affordability restrictions, as well as other program specific requirements. While these restrictions are crucial for ensuring that the MHC remains affordable and accessible, it presents challenges for homeowners who already own their home within these communities.

The Program Director will also support the organization to establish state funding strategies to secure and manage grants and subsidies for ROC USA and the Network. Recently, ROC USA was awarded $750,000 from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE) to support the resident-ownership of one manufactured home community in Bath, PA. The Program Director will set up the systems and processes to ensure that ROC USA is positioned to continue to apply for and administer this type of funding.

Who We Are

ROC USA is a national non-profit social enterprise that helps residents form limited equity cooperatives and purchase their Manufactured (“Mobile”) Home Communities. ROC USA represents more than 330 Resident Owned Communities (“ROCs”) and 22,800 member-owners in 21 states. ROC USA focuses on making market- and policy-based sector change to scale grassroots cooperative development and build a movement with low-income communities and homeowners. Our vision is for millions of families to thrive in resilient, resident-owned communities.

ROC USA empowers homeowners to purchase the land beneath their homes by facilitating market development, negotiating with investor-owners, and providing financing through ROC USA Capital, a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Our national team and affiliated non-profits offer training and technical assistance, ensuring these cooperatives succeed.

With three million individual homesites in 50,000 Manufactured Home Communities and ROC USA’s leadership in this market, ROC USA is well positioned to capitalize on the growing recognition of the importance of preserving these communities. With nearly 40 years of experience, we advocate for resident ownership at all levels of government.

We are dedicated to deepening our commitment to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion, to ensure we competently and effectively support the diverse cultures and languages, races, ethnicities, and immigration statuses of our growing resident base. Our journey begins with fostering a clear, shared understanding of the nature of work that is required to increase competency and the effectiveness of ROC USA and the network in addressing systematic and organizational challenges. By building a foundation rooted in equity, we aim to create an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and are integral to driving innovation and impact.

Residents in ROC USA communities, 89% of whom are low- or very low-income, have a voice in the national organization. Central to our vision for community power building is the ROC Association, which is made up of the co-ops in the network. Co-ops elect three community leader Directors to the ROC USA Board of Directors and operate as a volunteer organization with a Board and two national committees. ROC USA supports the Association’s activities, including peer networking, grant making, and policy advocacy.

Performance and Impact

Today there are 331 ROCs in 21 states. Over 40 years, this resident ownership model has delivered in extraordinary ways for both low-income homeowners and investors, who have invested more than $1 billion. ROCs have proven to be remarkably resilient in strong and weak economic cycles.

Homes in ROCs have been demonstrated to sell faster and for 16% more per square foot than comparable homes in comparable investor-owned communities, as the ROC model stabilizes site-fees, and the coop takes pride in their community and plans for needed capital improvements (2006, UNH).
Homeowners in ROCs report feeling more economically secure than homeowners in commercially owned Manufactured Home Communities. (2006, UNH)
Site fees in ROCs are $50 below market after five years of ownership and $100 per month below market after 10 years (2023, Colliers).
Sites fees in ROCs are raised 1% annually on average compared to 4 to 6% in commercially owned Manufactured Home Communities (2023 ROC USA and Colliers).

Financial Strength

ROC USA has an operating budget of approximately $7 million. After achieving operating self-sufficiency in 2018 and 2019, ROC USA made a significant investment in our operating capacity to prepare the organization for the next stage of growth. In 2023, ROC USA had an earnings ratio of 72%. Our net asset ratio is 23% and total assets exceed $142 million.

Recognition

ROC USA’s community ownership work has been cited by media such as The New York Times (“Investors are Buying Mobile Home Parks. Residents are Paying a Price”, March 27,2022), The Financial Times (“Why Big Investors are Buying U.S. Trailer Parks,” Feb. 2020), HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (“Mobile Homes,” April 2019), which has been viewed 10 million times, and in A Transform Finance report.

2023-2025 Strategic Goals

Expand opportunities for homeowners to achieve ownership of communities resulting in 50 more resident-owned communities (ROCs) benefiting 2,500+ households.

Improve and preserve the financial and environmental sustainability of more than 330 resident owned communities to further enhance community resiliency and household financial security.
Provide more than 1,800 ROC leaders with tools to be the driving force for positive change and further build collective community power.
Operate with a culture and commitment to quality of service, sustainability, accountability, and cohesion.

In the coming years, we are dedicated to deepening our commitment to race, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our journey begins with fostering a clear, shared understanding of the nature of work that is required to increase competency and effectiveness of ROC USA and the Network in addressing systematic and organizational challenges. By building a foundation rooted in equity, we aim to create an environment where diverse perspectives are not only valued but are integral to driving innovation and impact. This commitment will guide us as we strive to dismantle barriers, foster inclusivity, and ensure that our mission benefits all communities we serve.

What You’ll Do

A. Strategic Leadership. Lead the development and implementation of the organization’s government grant administration and compliance (e.g., HOME/CDBG expert, federal compliance and reporting). Collaborate with leadership to align funding efforts with the organization’s broader strategic goals.

B. Grant Application and Management. Oversee the preparation, submission, and management of government grant applications. Ensure all grant and subsidy applications are aligned with the priorities of the organization and meet deadlines. With support, manage the grant award process, from application to contract negotiation.

C. Program Oversight and Compliance. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, or local regulations related to grant management and reporting. Monitor programs performance and track key metrics to ensure successful execution of grant-funded projects. Coordinate audits and reviews by government agencies as required.

D. Budget and Financial Management. Develop and manage budgets for all federal and state grant programs, in partnership with the owners of the deliverables. Work closely with Finance to track expenditures and ensure funds are utilized according to the grant guidelines. Prepare grant reports and ensure timely submission of required documents to funding agencies.

E. Stakeholder Engagement. With support, cultivate relationships with federal and state agencies, local governments, and local partners to identify potential funding opportunities and support ongoing programs. Represent the organization in meetings and conferences related to grant programs and state subsidies. Facilitate collaboration between program staff, finance, and external partners to ensure effective program delivery.

F. Reporting and Evaluation. Oversee the preparation and submission of all required program reports to federal and state agencies. Provide regular updates to executive leadership and Board members on program progress and funding statuses.

Essential Functions:

Management and Team Development. Depending upon the level of the award, this team may expand quickly over the next year. The Program Director will have the unique opportunity to develop and grow the team as needed, ensuring that staffing levels are adequate to meet the demands of federal- and state-funded programs. Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and development of new team members, ensuring they have the skills and resources necessary. Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment, promoting open communication, accountability, and growth. Provide mentorship and support to staff, ensuring a high level of performance and organization-wide knowledge of federal, state, and local requirements.
Grant Administration and Compliance. This function is essential to ensuring that the PRICE program is implemented effectively and in accordance with all relevant regulations, guidelines, and funding requirements. This spans from the initial design stages of program development through to long-term oversight and reporting. This would include grant application and documentation, regulatory adherence, internal audits and reporting, training and support for team members, budget management, disbursement tracking, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement.
Vendor and Partner Management. Manage and oversee the work of third-party vendors supporting the organization’s efforts, including subject matter experts, consultants, and technical assistance providers. Establish clear roles, expectations, and performance metrics for vendors, ensuring they are meeting contractual obligations and delivering quality outcomes. Coordinate with subject matter experts and other partners to provide specialized knowledge and insights that enhance program development and execution.
Long-term Impact and Innovation. Drive innovative approaches for leveraging federal and state funding to advance the organization’s mission, exploring new and emerging funding streams or partnerships. Continuously assess the effectiveness of current programs and services, recommending modifications or new initiatives to enhance efficiencies and impact.
Portfolio Management. Develop and manage a comprehensive portfolio of federal and state grants, ensuring that all programs are operating efficiently and within their established budgets and timelines. In collaboration with Operations and Finance, track and coordinate across multiple grant programs to ensure they are aligned with the organization’s mission and strategic objectives. Ensure proper documentation and record-keeping for each grant, allowing for easy access and review during audits. Regularly review and analyze performance data to assess progress against objectives for each program. Implement risk management strategies to mitigate potential issues across the portfolio, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing programs.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, finance, nonprofit management, or related field.
Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in managing federal and state grants, with at least 3 years in a more senior role.
Strong knowledge of federal and state program regulations and compliance requirements, particularly HOME & CDBG programs.
Proven experience in budget development, financial reporting, and program oversight.
Expertise in portfolio management across multiple grant-funded programs.
Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills and ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.

Preferred Skills

Experience in disaster/emergency response and recovery and/or community development.
Knowledge of federal and state regulations in infrastructure financing, management, internal controls, cost allocation plans, and federally negotiated indirect rates, Duplication of Benefits, Fraud, Waste and Abuse compliance and auditing reporting.
Knowledge of federal and state regulations in Fair Housing, equity, procurement, accessibility, ADA compliance, green standards, sustainability, section 3, and URA.
Knowledge of federal and state regulations in Preparedness/Mitigation/Resiliency
Previous experience in nonprofit, community-based organizations, or government agency at a local, regional or national level.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to use a computer and mobile phone. This position requires moderate travel to ROC USA events, site visits, and other work-related events.

What Else You Should Know

The position is a 40 hour (full-time) per week position and remote-based. The salary for this position is dependent on experience with a range between $90,000-$120,000, depending upon experience. We also offer an excellent benefits package, including deeply subsidized health care, a health reimbursement account, generous vacation and sick time, and a 3% retirement match.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

ROC USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We believe that a diverse workforce enhances our ability to serve our communities, and we actively encourage applications from all qualified candidates.

How to Apply

Provide your cover letter and resume to humanresources@rocusa.org, with the subject line, “Program Director, Federal Grants and State Subsidy.”