SVP, Commercial/Multifamily Policy & Strategic Industry Engagement

As the leading advocate for the real estate finance industry, MBA is committed to providing our members with unmatched value and unparalleled benefits. In doing so, we recognize that our most valuable resource is our employees. MBA prides itself on sourcing top talent from all fields and is committed to investing in a culture where communication is essential, diverse voices are encouraged, and embrace inclusion for all.

• Competitive salary and benefit packages
• A culture committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion 
• Hybrid work schedule that supports work-life balance
• Professional development opportunities

If you are looking for a career-defining opportunity, share similar values, and are ready to make a difference in the real estate finance industry, look no further. Apply today!

Position Summary

Lead and manage MBA's Commercial Real Estate/Multifamily Finance (CRM) Group and the CRM functions of MBA by representing, advising, and supporting MBA's member companies involved in commercial real estate financing. Toward this end, the Senior Vice President of CMF oversees and executes upon the CMF Group's responsibilities, including public policy development and advocacy, management of the member governance structure, member engagement across the various sectors within CRE finance, content development for CRM-related conferences and other MBA-convened meetings, and the development of best practices, industry standards, compliance resources, and business intelligence tools for members.  As a key member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) responsible for leading collaboratively with other SMT members to maintain and enhance MBA culture, serve as stewards of the MBA’s budget and financial resources, and create a respectful workplace environment of collaboration, inclusion, and transparency.

Leadership and Management

• Lead the MBA CMF team effectively and strategically to advance member business and policy objectives.
• Develop and implement a Commercial Real Estate/Multifamily Finance strategic vision to increase MBA’s presence within the CRM segment of the industry, by developing policy, member engagement, and member outreach initiatives that expand MBA’s reach.
• Working with the MBA President & CEO and MBA's member leadership, advance CRM member interests and effectively manage MBA's CRM-related functions.
• Engage members and stakeholders. Listen to and interface continually with members (at all levels of experience) across all CRE finance sectors to understand the specific and common drivers – policy, business, and industry-wide issues – impacting the CRM membership and industry.
• Work effectively with major CRM coalition partners at other trade association groups (e.g., CREF-C, National Multifamily Housing Council, Real Estate Roundtable, others). Support/lead combined industry efforts on major policy issues and campaigns.
• Allocate resources and expertise to deliver robust member offerings. Develop and monitor the budget to execute departmental activities.
• Manage and coach the team. Lead by example to promote professionalism, excellence, collegiality, and commitment to ethical conduct.
• Promote a cohesive team environment by building strong relationships, encouraging open communication, and driving collaboration across departments. Foster strong internal relationships with Sr. Management Team and other MBA stakeholders throughout the association.
• Act as a leader for the entire association, demonstrating a strategic mindset, aligning team goals with company objectives, and championing organizational values and culture.

Public Policy and Advocacy

• Lead the development of MBA's policy positions and priorities impacting CRM members, working through governance structure, including MBA's Commercial Real state/Multifamily Finance Board of Governors (COMBOG), the CRM Business Councils, committees, task forces, and working groups, as applicable.
• Drive policy success and progress on key policy positions consistent with priorities approved by COMBOG.
• Lead advocacy on regulatory issues, draft persuasive letters, and other communications, and serve as subject-matter expert for CRM matters with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop and manage relationships with key regulators, including those at the Treasury Department, the banking agencies, FHFA, FHA, SEC, DOL, and other agencies as applicable.
• Partner with MBA's Legislative & Political Affairs department on legislative advocacy. Execute member engagement opportunities in policy development and advocacy, including at the National Advocacy Conference, with the Mortgage Action Alliance, and with member committees/task forces.
• Develop thought leadership documents and initiatives that advance MBA's CRM policy and industry agenda.
• Inform membership on material policy developments through regular and issue-specific member communications.
• Collaborate and coordinate with the Residential Policy & Member Engagement team and other MBA departments to frame industry responses to promote MBA's positions.
• Develop and oversee strong working relationships with stakeholder groups, including other real estate trade associations. Seek opportunities to collaborate and execute on coalition-based initiatives.

Member Engagement and Value

• Strengthen member engagement to enhance value for CRM members and the industry writ large. 
• Advise and work with COMBOG and its leadership on meeting agenda-setting and identifying action items.
• Advise and work with the COMBOG Nominating Committee to identify industry leadership.
• Oversee and provide directional guidance to CRM member councils, roundtables, committees, and task forces to identify/address core issues for member constituencies and sustain engagement.
• Engage in strategic, targeted outreach to member sectors to enhance MBA value. Seek to engage professionals at member companies from the executive level to junior professionals.
• Develop strong content for flagship CRM Convention & Expo, CRM Servicing & Tech Conference, mPact (young professionals) meetings, regional member events and other meetings, webinars, and member communications.
• Increase visibility with membership and external stakeholders—partner with Public Affairs and other MBA groups to enhance the exposure of MBA's CRM activities.
• Lead the development of best practices, industry standards, strategic education content, compliance resources, and business intelligence tools in concert with members and other MBA departments.

Key Selection Criteria

Education and Experience

• A minimum of fifteen years of relevant experience is required.
• Experience in regulatory and legislative policy/advocacy with a corporation, trade association, nonprofit or governmental body is required.
• Knowledge of commercial real estate finance market and industry is required.
• A graduate degree in business, finance, public policy, or juris doctorate is a plus.

Leadership and Management Skills Required

• Demonstrated leadership skills and effective people management experience with an ability to motivate teams and constituents by creating and maintaining an environment that fosters growth and recognition and ongoing professional development.
• Foster an inclusive leadership style that values diverse perspectives, ensures equitable opportunities, and creates a sense of belonging for all team members. Foster a collaborative and collegial work culture at all levels of the organization.
• Embody an “MBA first” approach that puts organizational goals ahead of personal or departmental objectives.
• Stewards the department and association's financial resources with integrity and accountability.
• Positive, respectful, kind, and resilient demeanor that inspires excellence.
• Member-driven focus and approach. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to present effectively in groups of various sizes, coupled with lucid and persuasive writing skills.
• Strong analytical skills that facilitate both technical and bottom-line thinking.
• Ability to form trust-based working relationships.
• Flexible and strong interpersonal skills that promote collaboration.
• Ability to listen to a broad range of constituencies, synthesize diverse viewpoints, and develop actionable steps on behalf of membership.
• Steadfast focus on execution and results.
• Anticipatory, forward-looking mindset that sees opportunities and challenges ahead.

Other Key Attributes

The ideal candidate will also possess the following characteristics:

• A solid value system and an active commitment to integrity and honesty.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport with diverse stakeholders.
• Empathy and the ability to understand the perspectives of others.
• Ability to promote diversity and inclusion within the association’s leadership, employees, and members.
• Proactive leadership style that includes open and frequent communication, a confident demeanor that engenders trust and respect, and a sense of calm in the inevitable chaos of a dynamically growing business.
• A proclivity for both attention to and managing details and grasping issues in their larger dimensions.
• A team player with a natural propensity to collaborate.
• A comfort level with facing problems directly and openly and building solutions through delegation and collective responsibility.
• Strong financial acumen coupled with the ability to see the people behind the numbers.
• An active manager whose approach is grounded in a naturally high “EQ.”
• A sense of fairness and respect in dealing with employees; an open and honest approach with peers, superiors, and members; and a “no surprises/no politics” philosophy.
• Initiative, high energy, and the motivation and endurance to work in an evolving, growth-oriented, fast-paced environment.

The current recruitment range for this role is $362,000 - $400,000

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

MBA is an E-Verify employer.