Northside Cooperative Enterprise Cooperative MN (NICE MN)

NICE MN Executive Director

Position Description

Organizational Overview

NICE MN (Northside Investment Cooperative Enterprise) is a community-owned real estate cooperative working to keep property ownership in the hands of North Minneapolis residents. Our goal is simple: make sure homes and businesses on the Northside remain affordable, stable, and community-controlled.

We believe that when residents—especially those most impacted by displacement—own and guide development, neighborhoods thrive. Through BIPOC leadership, collective decision-making, and cooperative principles, NICE MN is building a future where “Properties on the Northside are owned by the Northside.”

Our mission is to purchase and manage properties together, ensuring long-term affordability for residents and small businesses, with a focus on serving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. We do this through shared ownership, deep community engagement, and creative strategies, including partnerships and tax-based revitalization tools.

Position Overview

We are seeking a strategic, community-focused leader to strengthen the foundation of NICE MN and guide its growth as a community-owned real estate investment cooperative. The ideal candidate is highly motivated in a start-up environment, eager to build organizational infrastructure, and deeply committed to engaging Northside community members.

The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors and a team of consultants with expertise in cooperative development, real estate, and fundraising to deliver on NICE MN’s vision: “Properties on the Northside are owned by the Northside.” This role is about making that vision a reality—stabilizing properties, preventing displacement, and creating pathways for long-term community ownership, connection to place, and generational wealth.

The position reports to NICE MN’s Cooperative Board and is accountable to its members. This is an opportunity to lead transformative, community-driven change—bringing repair, healing, and equity through shared ownership and cooperation.

We are seeking a strategic and community-focused leader to build the foundation for NICE MN and guide its growth as a community-owned real estate investment cooperative. The ideal candidate will be committed to driving transformation, repair, and healing in North Minneapolis by advancing community ownership and connection to place, stabilizing properties, preventing displacement, and creating opportunities for residents to build generational wealth and long-term stability.

The ideal candidate will be highly motivated in a start-up environment, eager to build the cooperative’s infrastructure and committed to engage Northside community members. The Director will work with a suite of consultants with expertise in cooperative development and fundraising to deliver on NICE MN’s vision. The position reports to NICE MN’s Cooperative Board and is also accountable to cooperative members. 

Job Status: Part-Time Considered (20-25 hours/per week)

Location: Virtual, with a strong preference for candidates living in or deeply connected to North Minneapolis. Regular in-person presence required for community meetings and events.

Pay Range/Salary Band: (depending on experience and qualifications)

Reports to: Board of Directors

Revised: August 2025

What You’ll Do:

As Executive Director, you will:

  • Lead organizational strategy and growth, building the systems, policies, and infrastructure that will stabilize NICE MN and position it for long-term success.

  • Partner with the Board of Directors, consultants, and community members to advance the cooperative’s vision and make community ownership of Northside properties a reality.

  • Engage and grow membership, fostering deep relationships with Northside residents and ensuring that the cooperative reflects and responds to community priorities.

  • Secure resources and financing through grants, partnerships, and mission-aligned investments to fund property acquisitions and support operations.

  • Oversee real estate and asset management, ensuring properties remain affordable, sustainable, and aligned with cooperative values.

Who You Are:

You are a values-driven leader who thrives in collaborative, community-centered spaces and believes in the power of shared ownership to create lasting change. You bring both strategic vision and hands-on experience to a role that combines movement-building with operational leadership.

  • Deeply committed to equity and justice—you practice anti-racism and challenge oppressive systems while advancing cooperative solutions.

  • A relationship-builder at heart, skilled at connecting with diverse communities, facilitating inclusive conversations, and inspiring collective action.

  • Comfortable navigating non-hierarchical and democratic decision-making, with experience supporting groups in challenging “business as usual” and embracing cooperative principles.

  • An effective communicator and public speaker, able to articulate the cooperative model and its potential to a variety of audiences.

  • Knowledgeable about community and economic development strategies, including real estate and small business development.

  • Highly organized and adaptable, with strong strategic thinking, time management, and administrative skills—you know how to balance big-picture goals with the day-to-day work of building an organization.

  • Skilled in fundraising and financial stewardship, or ready to grow in these areas with support.
    Thrives in a start-up environment, where flexibility, creativity, and resilience are key.

Interpersonal & Community

  • Strong commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppressive movement building

  • A people person, with a passion for building relationships and connecting with a diverse and expanding network

  • Familiarity with cooperative and social justice organizations, campaigns, or programs

  • Experience in non-hierarchical structures, and facilitating conversations and processes that question business-as-usual capitalist world views, & invite cooperative world views

  • Strong commitment to collective decision-making and working in a staff collective

  • Demonstrated leadership skills, including public speaking, consensus building and the ability to initiate community engagement efforts and run community meetings 

  • Public speaking experience, including the ability to develop and articulate the cooperative model and a vision of the present and future potential of the model with a variety of audiences 

  • Understanding of property development, small business development, and community and economic development strategies

Operations

  • Effective organizational, time management and administrative skills, including the ability to work independently as well as in a team setting

  • Ability to fundraise (financial management skills a plus)

  • Demonstrated ability as an excellent oral and written communicator 

  • Ability to manage time, priorities, and resources effectively in a fluid and fast paced environment 

  • Demonstrated strategic thinker 

Perks & Opportunities

  • Shape the future of an early-stage, community-owned real estate cooperative working to prevent displacement and keep Northside properties in community hands.

  • Lead transformative work rooted in racial and economic justice, cooperative principles, and community-driven development.

  • Collaborate with experts in cooperative development, real estate, and fundraising while working closely with a passionate Board and engaged community members.

  • Grow your leadership experience in strategic planning, organizational development, and creative financing for community wealth-building.

  • Flexible, primarily remote role with regular engagement in North Minneapolis.


PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Governance & Strategic Leadership (50%)

  • Serve as the primary liaison to the NICE MN Board, fostering strong communication and alignment. Prepare and facilitate monthly board meetings, provide timely updates, and seek strategic guidance as needed. Ensure execution of strategic priorities set by the board and cooperative membership.

  • Co-lead strategic planning and organizational development in collaboration with the board and consultants, including creating a three-year growth plan with a sustainable business model, property acquisition roadmap, and organizational change strategies to stabilize operations.

  • Develop and maintain organizational policies and systems that promote accountability, transparency, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Operations & Financial Management

  • Develop and manage the annual operating budget, ensuring accurate forecasting, alignment with strategic priorities, and sound financial stewardship

  • Establish and maintain strong financial systems, internal controls, and risk mitigation practices in coordination with the fiscal sponsor and board of directors  to ensure compliance and safeguard cooperative assets.

  • Oversee and manage relationships and contracts with key partners—including the fiscal sponsor, consultants, vendors, and service providers—to ensure effective operations, strong organizational capacity, and successful execution of strategic priorities.

  • Oversee asset management of the property portfolio to ensure strong financial performance and that all properties meet legal requirements and cooperative policies.

  • Manage human resources functions, including hiring, onboarding, and supervising staff or contractors as the organization grows.

Fund Development & Financial Partnerships

  • Collaborate with the board and consultants to develop and execute a comprehensive capital strategy, leveraging cooperative investment tools and mission-aligned financing.

  • Identify and secure diverse funding sources, including grants, stock investments, and debt financing, to support growth, property acquisition, and long-term sustainability.

  • Prepare and submit all required grant reports in collaboration with the fiscal sponsor and board, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with funder requirements.

  • Manage lender reporting obligations, maintaining clear communication regarding financial performance and adherence to loan covenants.

  • Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with funders and lenders, clearly demonstrating NICE MN’s impact and strategic vision to secure ongoing financing and support.

Real Estate  & Asset Management

  • Oversee asset management of the property portfolio, ensuring strong financial performance and that all properties meet legal requirements and cooperative policies.

  • Direct property management services to maintain quality, affordability, and compliance as the portfolio grows.

  • Analyze property acquisition opportunities, assessing financial feasibility and alignment with cooperative mission and priorities.

  • Develop and lead strategies to secure the full financing needed for property acquisitions, combining multiple funding sources and working closely with lenders, funders, and the board to strengthen the existing portfolio and make new investments

Community Engagement and Partnerships (50%)

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive community engagement plan focused on cooperative membership recruitment, retention, and active participation in governance. 

  • Build and strengthen holistic membership programs, ensuring members are informed, engaged, and supported to exercise democratic decision-making.

  • Actively cultivate and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, including community organizations, local businesses (such as those at 35th and Penn Ave N), and civic partners.

  • Represent NICE MN in community forums, trainings, and conferences, serving as a visible advocate for cooperative ownership and community-led development. 

  • Gather and synthesize community feedback to inform membership programs and organizational priorities, ensuring responsiveness and alignment with community needs.
    Serve as a resource navigator and connector, linking members and partners to relevant opportunities, services, and relationships that strengthen community outcomes.

Communications & Public Relations

  • Create and lead the execution of a comprehensive communications strategy, including website updates, newsletters, social media, and local media outreach, to increase visibility and engagement.

  • Develop compelling content that shares NICE MN’s impact, member stories, and strategic priorities with the community and stakeholders.

  • Ensure consistent and culturally relevant messaging that reflects the values and diversity of the Northside community.

QUALIFICATIONS SOUGHT (not required) 

Required Qualifications

  • Strong relationships or deep ties to the North Minneapolis community.

  • Significant leadership or management experience in at least one of the following: community-based economic development, small business development, nonprofit management, or real estate.

  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, start-up environment.

  • Strong oral and written communication skills, including comfort with public speaking.

  • Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

  • Ability to travel locally within North Minneapolis; personal transportation is a must.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field (e.g., business, public policy, economic development, real estate, urban development, law) or 3–5 years of experience in economic justice, cooperatives, community organizing, or related fields.

  • Familiarity with cooperative business models, community land trusts, or shared-ownership strategies.

  • Experience with fundraising, financial management, or assembling financing for real estate projects.

  • Understanding of property development and community/economic development strategies.

  • Relationships and ties to North Minneapolis.

  • Significant management experience related to community-based economic development, small business, non-profit management, or real estate.

  • Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, Power Point) applications.

  • Must have personal transportation available for use.

  • Bachelors and/or Master’s degree in appropriate discipline or experience preferred (e.g., business, public policy/administration, economic development real estate, urban development, law) or 3-5 years of experience working towards economic justice, cooperatives, community organizing or related fields. A degree is not required for this position.

Non-discrimination Statement

All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and applicants who identify as low-income are encouraged to apply.

Send resume and cover letter to info@nicemn.com