Housing Development Director

Position Summary: 

The Housing Development Director is responsible for leading and managing real estate development, affordable housing initiatives, and housing-related strategies at CHCDC. Reporting to the Vice President of Community Development and Policy, this position plays a critical role in shaping and implementing the organization's overall community development goals, with a focus on expanding and improving the housing sector in City Heights and Mid-City Area.

The Director will have a strong understanding of anti-displacement policies and practices, working to ensure that residents in City Heights remain housed and development initiatives prioritize community stability. The role involves overseeing will the entire lifecycle of housing development projects- from project inception through completion and stabilization, while securing and managing funding from a range of sources, including private, federal, state, local, and grant funding.

As a leader, the Director will collaborate closely with internal teams and external real estate professionals, fostering a team-oriented, solution-driven culture. Additionally, the Director will coordinate across various departments and with external agencies to ensure successful project outcomes and long-term community impact

Responsibilities 

The Housing Development Director oversees all aspects of real estate development, from identifying opportunities to managing due diligence, reviewing third-party reports, and coordinating with legal, design, and construction teams. The Director ensures smooth project execution through the entitlement process, construction oversight, lease-up, and transition to stabilized operations. The Director will manage project timelines and budgets ensuring alignment with organizational goals and community development strategies.

Major Responsibilities/Duties:

• Oversee CHCDC’s housing programs and property portfolio ensuring successful evaluation and compliance with funding, grant, lender, and investor requirements.

• Collaborate with the Vice President to address the housing crisis by leading conversations on anti-displacement strategies, housing solutions, and affordable housing production.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with real estate and housing stakeholders, including developers, lenders, funders, property owners, policymakers, and industry organizations.

• Conduct community needs assessments, housing market analyses, and project feasibility studies to inform development strategies.

• Generate revenue through grant research, partnership development, and fee-for-service contracts; prepare funding proposals and monitor compliance with existing contracts.

• Prepare and present reports on housing issues, program outcomes, and funding opportunities for leadership and stakeholders.

• Review potential funding opportunities to increase the amount of affordable, safe well-maintained housing within City Heights.

• Supervises activities of the current development projects and consultants on a project-by-project basis; monitors construction activities to ensure quality construction and appropriate cost controls;

• Prepares and/or assists with the preparations of presentations before public agencies, elected officials, community groups, and financial institutions; attends, presents information, and participates as necessary, at city council housing committee, or other governmental agency department meetings when project-specific issues or matter related to affordable housing are being discussed.

• Coordinate with the Vice President in the oversight of the housing budgets

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Housing Development

• Identify, evaluate, and recommend potential project sites and project concepts and participate in negotiations and the acquisition of project sites.

• Develop and update project pro formas including predevelopment, development, and operating budgets and sources of construction and permanent financing.

• Solicit, negotiate, and secure project financing from a variety of public and private sources. Obtain all required land use approvals.

• Draft requests for qualifications/proposals, and negotiate, prepare, and manage contracts for a variety of development professionals.

• Coordinate outreach to impacted neighborhoods, develop community support, and maintain positive neighborhood relations during all phases of the development process.

• Serve as the development team coordinator, project manager, and owner’s representative during all phases of project planning and implementation.

• Monitor compliance with all grant, lender, and investor requirements.

• Monitor project expenditures and progress and establish mechanisms for assuring that projects are completed on time and within budget.

• Maintain project records and prepare and submit a variety of reports.

• Identify sources of funding for housing-related programs and acquisitions, rehab and development.

Qualifications/Skills: 

• Commitment to the mission and vision of the organization
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Minimum of five years’ management experience, preferably in the nonprofit or housing field
• At least three years of senior management experience in affordable housing finance, development, and asset management
• Strong knowledge of affordable housing financing programs, including tax credit financing, Community Development Block Grants, HCD Grants and Loans.
• Proven ability to source deals and manage housing development projects through to occupancy
• Ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently, with strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills
• Detail-oriented, with the ability to prepare budgets and financial reports accurately and on time
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, with experience using other management software
• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking, presentations, and business writing
• Experience in budgeting, program development, supervision, contract administration, and program evaluations
• Strong relationship-building skills and sound judgment with a sense of teamwork and community
• Ability to work effectively with community partners and diverse constituents
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office and openness to learning other tools and programs

Preferred Qualifications/Skills:

• Ability to speak and write in a second language other than English

Hours and Compensation   

• 40 hours per week, exempt

• Annual starting salary range: $95,000-$105,000 depending on experience.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401K retirement plan with employer match

• Employee Assistance Program

• Generous paid time off and 11 paid holidays per year

Additional Benefits    

• Offices are closed every other Friday (9/8/80 schedule)

• Flexible and remote work schedule available

• City Heights CDC is committed to the professional growth of all employees and provides training opportunities accordingly.

Work Environment/Culture  

• Family Friendly. CHCDC provides a family-friendly work environment making it possible for employees to more easily balance family and work, and to fulfill both their family and work obligations.

• Family-friendly practices/policies:

• Every other Friday CHCDC offices are closed for employee day off

• Flexible, remote work schedule available

• Parental Leave – unpaid leave offered in accordance with State of CA PFL (Paid Family Leave).

• In compliance with City Heights CDC’s mandatory vaccination policy, all employees and volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. New employees will be required to provide proof of full vaccination as a condition of employment.