Executive Director at Cold Climate Housing Research Center

The Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) is seeking an Executive Director to enhance housing solutions in Alaska's challenging climate. The role involves fostering partnerships, advocating for the mission, and ensuring organizational sustainability. Ideal candidates should have knowledge of building science and a strong connection to Alaskan communities. CCHRC focuses on education, policy analysis, and workforce development, with a commitment to energy efficiency and cultural relevance in housing.
The Foraker Group is supporting Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) in hiring their next Executive Director. The full job posting can be found here:

Executive Director | Cold Climate Housing Research Center | Fairbanks, Alaska

Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) seeks a skilled convener who is dedicated to building better homes in Alaska’s unique climate and landscape. The new executive will have the opportunity to pursue creative solutions for long-term organizational sustainability, cultivate lasting partnerships, and champion CCHRC and its mission. The ideal candidate will have a working knowledge of building science, a deep connection to Alaska and its communities, and a clear vision for how CCHRC can continue to deliver on mission in a time of change and opportunity.

CCHRC is a nonprofit organization committed to pioneering sustainable housing solutions in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Located in Fairbanks, Alaska, CCHRC was formed in 1999 by members of the Alaska State Home Building Association to tackle the challenges of building in cold climates, including remote locations, harsh working conditions, and unstable ground.

With a core staff of 4 and a robust network of actively engaged building education and research subcontractors, and an annual budget of $1.6 million, CCHRC leads the way in advancing responsible innovation and resilient housing solutions that prioritize energy efficiency, durability, and cultural relevance. CCHRC’s work is made possible by a diverse range of funding sources, including support from the State of Alaska, federal grants, corporate partnerships, and individual contributions, enabling us to deliver high-impact results across the state.

CCHRC’s work includes convening communities, partners, and industry experts; public education; policy analysis; economic research and deployment pertaining to housing in cold climates; and workforce development programs, training, and outreach. CCHRC works closely with tribal entities, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, rural communities, and government agencies to build better housing.

Since 2020, CCHRC has shared its facility in Fairbanks and partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), strengthening Alaska’s ability to address housing and energy issues.

CCHRC’s Services and Programs:
Education and Outreach Technical Assistance Research Policy

(More information about these programs can be found in the full posting:

Strategic Priorities:

The next Executive Director will focus on the following priorities, while partnering with the board to revisit and implement the strategic plan.

Long-term Organizational Priorities
Continue to advocate for CCHRC’s mission throughout the state, particularly with Legislators. Foster institutional, compliant, and efficient practices. Prioritize the cultivation of sustainable, high-value strategic partnerships. Identify and expand core programs to ensure the organization's financial sustainability.

Twelve to Eighteen Month Executive Director Priorities
Develop a broad understanding of the organization by deeply engaging with board, staff, organizational history, finances, and operations. Provide staff with support, stability, and consistency, while reinforcing a healthy work culture. Build and maintain new and existing relationships with partners, communities, legislators, and other key stakeholders with an emphasis on coalition and capacity building. Assess current funding strategies and research and develop new, diverse funding sources. Working with the board and staff, revisit and refine the strategic plan.

Key Responsibilities:

Reporting to the board, the Executive Director serves a dual role as leader of the internal team and as champion and advocate for CCHRC’s mission among policymakers, partners, and communities across Alaska. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Partner with the board to set CCHRC’s vision and strategic direction and implement strategies and actions for advancing its mission. Lead, support, mentor, and indirectly supervise CCHRC staff while ensuring that all programs, policies, and procedures align with the values, mission, and strategic direction set by the Board. Leads all contract negotiations and represents CCHRC’s interests therein.

Community Outreach and Partnerships:
Build and maintain positive, productive, and innovative collaborations to advance mission. Connect with existing and identify new partners, including corporate and nonprofit partners, universities and other research organizations, state and federal agencies, advocacy groups, and policymakers. In collaboration with the CCHRC team, support and respond to individuals and communities reaching out for education, information, and resources. Travel as needed for projects and events, including by small aircraft or boat to remote communities.

Financial Strategy and Fundraising:
Cultivate and maintain relationships with key donors, funders, and partners to ensure ongoing financial support. Identify and develop potential funding sources and strategies with an eye toward long-term financial sustainability.

Communications and External Relations:
Serve as the primary spokesperson and advocate of CCHRC, ensuring CCHRC, its mission, and programs are consistently presented in clear, strong, and positive ways. Guide effective marketing and communications strategies consistent with organizational priorities and goals. Represent CCHRC in communities, professional, governmental, civic, and private agencies.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate:

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

Education
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in building science, construction, architecture, engineering, and vocational training, with progressive leadership experience.

Skills and Expertise
History of building and maintaining robust working relationships and high levels of trust. Strong interpersonal relationship skills, including a desire to build alliances with community organizations, partners, and other stakeholders. Knowledge of Alaska culture, history, and work experience; knowledge of Alaska’s unique logistical challenges and environmental factors highly desired. Experience advocating at the local, state, and national level, with an ability to identify and engage appropriate resources to assist with advocacy efforts. Ability to obtain the BPI Building Science Principles certificate. Experience in designing and implementing revenue development and diversification strategies, including through fundraising, grant development, marketing and/or direct sales experience. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to communicate effectively and comfortably with a variety of audiences. Experience in communicating scientific and technical information to non-technical audiences highly preferred. Demonstrated organizational leadership experience, including change management, systems and process improvement, and growth strategy. Experience leading, managing, and developing high-functioning teams, including recruiting and retaining staff.

Attributes
Passion for CCHRC’s mission and excitement to make a meaningful impact in support thereof. A confident and humble leadership style with a diplomatic and politically aware approach to relationship building. Demonstrated commitment to working with and bringing together people and groups with differing viewpoints or approaches to build coalition and consensus. Strong cultural competency and the ability to connect with individuals, communities, and organizations across Alaska, particularly in rural/remote rural areas and with Alaska Native communities. Comfort in ambiguity and making decisions in ambiguous environments. Ability to think strategically, see the full picture, and integrate available resources to efficiently and effectively meet mission. Demonstrated experience setting and implementing a vision and inspiring and motivating others in pursuit of a strategic direction. A collaborative and approachable leadership style consistent with building and maintaining an authentic, transparent, and respectful work culture.

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a full-time position. The annual salary range is between $120,000-$140,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience.CCHRC provides a competitive benefits package, which includes:
80% coverage of the premium for medical, prescription drugs, vision, and dental coverage. Simple IRA retirement plan with a match at 3% Generous leave accrual, beginning with a rate of 0.071 hours per one hour worked for the first year of employment and increasing annual rate thereafter. 12 paid holidays Stipend in lieu of benefits available as well. Relocation expenses available, to be discussed at time of job offer.

Application Process:

To apply, email your credentials to Applicants should include a resume and cover letter describing interest and qualifications. For questions, contact Ryan Smith, lead recruiter, at Communications will be treated with confidence. Deadline for application submission is Monday, April 20. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Resume reviews begin immediately. The search process will include a multi-step interview process.

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