Community Development Advisor

About the role

The Community Development Advisor supports the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland’s Community Development (CD) function by shaping strategy, conducting applied research, and engaging with stakeholders on low‑to‑moderate‑income (LMI) issues. This position combines strategic planning, project management, and policy‑oriented research to advance the Bank’s mission of fostering economic stability and community well‑being.

Key responsibilities

• Lead a select CD topic, designing and coordinating research and outreach initiatives that address LMI challenges.
• Manage projects end‑to‑end: define specifications, allocate resources, track progress, and report outcomes against Bank and CD strategic goals.
• Execute primary and secondary data collection, analysis, and case studies to inform internal and external audiences.
• Serve as a knowledge broker, building relationships with think tanks, universities, nonprofits, government agencies, and financial institutions.
• Produce specialized research papers, articles, and reports for Bank publications and external platforms.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 7 years of relevant experience, or Master’s with 5 years, or PhD with 3 years.
• Expert‑level knowledge of community and economic development, especially in housing, neighborhood stabilization, human capital, small business, or community development finance.
• Demonstrated expertise in planning, project management, and written communication/presentation skills.

Required skills

• Descriptive statistics
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Planning and project management