Cultivating Partnerships to Build Wealth and Financial ...

While the Port of Long Beach is a major economic engine, the neighborhood around it does not benefit from it the way it should. The Executive Fellow will cultivate partnerships to unlock wealth creation and financial empowerment opportunities in West Long Beach. As a result of this work, neighborhood residents will have access to sustainable, equitable economic opportunities they have historically been denied. Apply below after reading through all the details and supporting information regarding this job opportunity. Fellowship Dates: April 28, 2025 - April 24, 2026 Salary: Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual base salary of $80,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. Compensation for this year of public service is not intended to represent market-rate compensation for the experienced professionals in our program. ABOUT THE FUSE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP FUSE is a national nonprofit working to expand social and economic opportunities, particularly for communities that have been limited by a history of systemic and institutionalized racism. FUSE partners with local governments and communities to more effectively address pressing challenges by placing experienced professionals within city and county agencies. These FUSE Executive Fellows lead strategic projects designed to advance racial equity and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 250 projects in 40 governments across 20 states, impacting the lives of 25 million people. When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with government partners and local stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve substantive progress toward regional priorities. FUSE then conducts an individualized search for each project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the communities being served. They are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects by developing actionable roadmaps and monitoring progress to completion. Executive Fellows are hired as FUSE employees and embedded in government agencies for at least one year of full-time work. Throughout their fellowships, they receive training, coaching, and professional support from FUSE to help achieve their project goals. FUSE Executive Fellows bring diverse perspectives and new approaches to their projects. PROJECT CONTEXT The Port of Long Beach is an economic powerhouse. The second busiest U.S. port, it handles $200 billion worth of goods every year and ultimately supports 2.6 million jobs across the country. Many of the jobs at the port are well-paid positions with relatively strong bargaining power. Unfortunately, West Long Beach"”the neighborhood that houses the port"”does not benefit from this economic activity the way it should. The Westside's air quality is much poorer than other parts of Los Angeles County due to the three highways that border the neighborhood and the thousands of freight trucks that travel to and from the port every year. In addition, while the port jobs are frequently well paid, the average household income in the neighborhood is below the area and state median, and nearly one in five children experiences poverty. This inequity is especially critical given that 90% of Westside residents are people of color, with significant Latino, Black, and Filipino communities in the neighborhood. In response to these conditions, the City of Long Beach has launched Westside Promise, a ten-year commitment to catalyze community-driven investments in historically under-resourced parts of the neighborhood. The initiative is inspired by President Barack Obama's Promise Zones and aims to crowd in grants and partnerships to spark opportunities driven by residents. The City of Long Beach will partner with FUSE to scale Westside Promise through partnerships and strategic investment. The Executive Fellow will help expand the reach of wealth creation and financial inclusion programs and efforts led by city departments, and cultivate relationships and partnerships that align with the Westside Promise long-term goals. As a result of this work, Long Beach residents will have access to equitable, sustainable wealth creation and financial empowerment, regardless of their neighborhood. PROJECT SUMMARY Starting in May 2025, the FUSE Executive Fellow will develop deep relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including City partners (e.g., City departments, City Council, Chief Innovation Officer), the Port of Long Beach, local non-profits, potential private sector and grant-making partners, and members of the public (with an emphasis on BIPOC youth, families, and communities). The Executive Fellow will seek to understand the resources, opportunities, and aspirations these partners have for equitable wealth creation in West Long Beach. Finally, the Executive Fellow will develop recommendations for future plans and processes necessary for the Westside Promise team to continue identifying and nurturing transformative financial partners after the Fellowship ends. If successful, the City will have the strategy, skills, and tools to implement sustainable, long-term partnerships that deliver meaningful results and new financial empowerment opportunities for Westside residents. PROJECT DELIVERABLES By April 2026, the Executive Fellow will have overseen the following: Conduct a Stakeholder Listening Tour - Develop relationships with stakeholders in City government, the Port, local private sector, philanthropic, and non-profit leaders, and members of the public to understand the resources, constraints, perceived opportunities, potential threats, and aspirations affecting wealth creation and financial empowerment in West Long Beach. Support Wealth Building Efforts - Identify opportunities for residents to access City and County resources, buy or improve their homes, and build other assets. Catalyze Financial Inclusion - Map out the gaps in the locally-available, formal financial system and identify opportunities to crowd in fair, inclusive financial services in the neighborhood. Increase Partnership Capabilities - Develop the strategies, skills, and tools necessary for the Westside Promise team to identify, nurture, and implement inclusive, equitable partnerships that expand wealth creation and financial inclusion in West Long Beach. KEY STAKEHOLDERS Executive Sponsor - Tom Modica, City Manager Project Supervisor - Tyler Bonanno-Curley, Deputy City Manager, Office of the City Manager QUALIFICATIONS Synthesizes complex information into clear and concise recommendations and action-oriented implementation plans. Develops and effectively implements both strategic and operational project management plans. Generates innovative, data-driven, and result-oriented solutions to complex challenges. Communicates effectively verbally and in writing and excels in active listening and conversing. Fosters collaboration across multiple constituencies to support more effective decision-making. Establishes and maintains strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, both inside and outside of government, particularly community-based relationships. FUSE is an equal-opportunity employer with core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-01-01