Description
Job Title: Real Estate Development Director
Department: Real Estate Development
Reports To: Chief Real Estate Development Officer
FLSA Status: Exempt
Approved By: Chief Real Estate Development Officer
Approved Date: April 26, 2025
Summary Directs the real estate development activities of Dwelling Place (“DP”), including supervision of the real estate development and construction management staff.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Identifies and evaluates potential real estate developments that are in strong alignment with the mission and strategic plans of Dwelling Place. These include multifamily and singlefamily housing, both rental and for-sale, and commercial space within a mixed-use development.
- Underwrites and presents potential developments for approval by DP officers and the Real Estate Development (RED) Committee. Acts as the primary staff liaison for the RED Committee, coordinates its meetings with the Committee Chair.
- Supervision of real estate due diligence activities, including directing staff to obtain third party report proposals, and reviewing staff-prepared reports and memoranda. Review and approve proposals for feasibility studies, capital needs assessments, environmental reviews, zoning approvals, market studies, and the selection of architects and contractors.
- Negotiates with municipal, neighborhood, business, utility, and other community representatives to address barriers to the purchase, development, sale, or lease of property. Attend and speak at public meetings to obtain necessary approvals and to understand the concerns of the community. Such meetings may fall outside of regular business hours.
- Negotiates with funders on financing terms and legal documents related to financing. Works with DP legal counsel to review business terms and understand risks to the organization and communicates those effectively to other staff and RED Committee members.
- Coordinates with DP Community Building and Engagement department to engage with local residents and stakeholders affected by development activities. Understands, communicates, and resolves concerns of the community.
- Supervises RED staff as they prepare and submit applications for competitive financing resources, primarily low-income housing tax credits. This may also include “soft loan” sources such as HOME and CDBG funds. Reviews and approves all applications for submission in coordination with the Chief RE Development Officer. Reviews and approves grant applications related to development projects in coordination with the Chief RE Development Officer.
- Directs staff to prepare project financial models. Review models that are prepared by other staff members and provides comments.
- Supervises project management performed by RED staff. Coordinates related communications with staff, residents, and funders until the development has reached stabilized occupancy. Represents Dwelling Place in a professional and courteous manner while protecting its interests.
- Supervises the completion of all required interim and final construction and development-related reports for funders and regulatory bodies.
- Works with RED staff to document and communicate internally any compliance requirements related to new financing and grant agreements.
- Participates in developing and implementing DP policies related to real estate development.
Supervisory Responsibilities Supervises Real Estate Development and Construction Management staff. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training staff; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining staff; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Supervisors are required to meet with staff 1:1 biweekly and document feedback. Staff will also require periodic guidance on managing their projects and the director will be expected to help address questions on a regular basis.
Competencies To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Job Knowledge - Exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; Keeps abreast of current developments and changes in related public policy; Requires minimal supervision; Displays understanding of how job relates to others; Uses resources wisely. Experience with the development of for-sale housing.
Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures. Able to learn and understand complex financial and legal structures necessary to achieve successful developments.
Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
General Competency - To contribute to the Dwelling Place mission, each staff member must possess skills beyond the technical requirements for the position. A staff member must also demonstrate the ability and capacity to work with others in a manner that fosters trust, cooperation, and a positive team esprit de corps. Dwelling Place expects its staff to maintain high ethical standards in their interactions with customers, other staff, vendors and the public generally.
Dwelling Place staff are also expected to be dependable, to be respectful of others, to use sound judgment, to seek out new opportunities for learning and to communicate effectively with others.
Requirements
Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Education Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject (Master’s Preferred), such as Real Estate Development, Urban
Planning, or Business Administration. Educational qualifications may be waived depending on work history/experience.
Experience and Understanding Ten or more years of related experience and/or training in affordable housing. A minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership position is required. Deep knowledge of and experience working with low-income housing tax credit financing is required. In-depth knowledge of real estate finance, financial modeling, project management, and affordable housing regulations and funding programs. Has a demonstrated passion for affordable housing and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the field.
Commitment Skills Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure and is adept at multitasking while maintaining accountability for complete and timely work performance. Demonstrates strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills with a proven track record of successful real estate development projects, preferably in the affordable housing sector.
Communication Skills Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Language Skills Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or styles. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. Bilingual (fluent in Spanish) is preferred.
Finance Ability Strong financial acumen and ability to analyze complex financial models and investment structures.
Reasoning Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Computer Skills To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Property Management Software, Database software, Internet software, CRM Software, Adobe Software, and Microsoft Suite Software.
Professional Licenses, Certificates, and Registrations Valid Michigan Driver’s License; Project Management Certification; Michigan Real Estate License; Michigan Broker License preferred; LIHTC Certification preferred.
Other Skills and Abilities Masterful organizational and leadership skills, backed by previous professional success and demonstrated ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and maintain compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Other Qualifications Must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed to complete the requirements of the position. Must be able to travel as required for the position.
Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this position, the staff member is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The staff member is occasionally required to stand, walk, and taste or smell. The staff member must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a staff member encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this position, the staff member is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, toxic or caustic chemicals, and outside weather conditions, such that might be found in vacant buildings or at construction sites. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Many Dwelling Place staff take advantage of the hybrid remote work policy which generally allows staff to work from home up to two days per week. Additional remote time is available upon advance approval by the supervisor and human resources. Certain restrictions apply, qualified candidates may request a copy of the full policy which is included in the personnel manual.
