Director of Housing Development

Compass Housing Alliance is the housing and shelter services division of Lutheran Community Services Northwest. Compass currently operates 20 sites in King County, including 700+ affordable and supportive housing units, as well as shelters serving different populations. The division is currently advancing plans to nearly double the number of low-income apartments in the coming 3-5 years, as well as launch new initiatives that will address the root causes of housing insecurity. In this role, you will be employed by LCSNW and work within the Compass Housing Alliance division, supporting a 105-year legacy of housing, shelter, and homelessness response services in the Seattle/King County region. To learn more about the agency, visit

WHAT WE WILL DO FOR YOU:

As an employer of choice, we're deeply committed to supporting our employees, because when you're empowered, our mission thrives. We provide resources, tools, and care that allow you to focus on what matters most: delivering Health, Justice, and Hope to the communities we serve. We're proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and peace of mind

• A 37.50 hour work week to ensure work/life balance
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits to keep you and your loved ones healthy
• Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance coverage at no cost to you
• Up to 2 weeks of vacation in your first year (based on hours worked)
• Up to 2 weeks of sick leave (based on hours worked)
• 12 paid agency recognized holidays
• 2 floating holidays to use your way
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching (eligibility applies)
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family
• Potential eligibility for Student Loan Forgiveness through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT:

In this role, you will be working in the Compass Housing Alliance division of LCSNW. All LCSNW team members will contribute to our mission of partnering with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope. The Director of Housing Development leads the agency's real estate development program, guiding projects from initial strategy through financing, construction, and stabilization. In partnership with the divisional president, this role would oversee the multi-year development pipeline, manages complex affordable housing financing and ensures all projects advance Compass's mission to provide safe, dignified housing options. By advancing a steady pipeline of projects, this position enables the Compass Housing division and LCSNW to deliver housing across multiple states that supports community stability and long-term well-being.

• In partnership with the Compass president, this role will lead the strategy and implementation of a pipeline of affordable housing development and preservation projects from site identification through construction and project completion

• Identify and evaluate asset-based acquisition opportunities, including land and existing properties, and conduct feasibility, market, and financial analyses

• Structure and secure project financing, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and other public and private funding sources

• Direct entitlement and permitting processes, working with public agencies to obtain approvals and navigate regulatory requirements

• Oversee all phases of development, including consultant selection, design coordination, construction oversight, and project closeout

• Negotiate and manage contracts with lenders, investors, consultants, and development partners

• Supervise and support staff while representing the division with community stakeholders, funders, and partners

HOW YOU WILL BE A GREAT FIT:

• 8 years of related experience in real estate or affordable housing development, including managing projects from acquisition through construction

• Bachelor's degree in real estate, finance, urban planning, or related field or related field; substantial relevant experience will be considered in place of degree

• Experience structuring and managing complex project financing, including LIHTC and public funding sources

• Experience leading multiple development projects and navigating entitlement and regulatory processes

• Experience supervising staff or leading cross-functional project teams

• Fluency in English, both spoken and written, with ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences including community stakeholders and public partners

• Intermediate mastery of business applications and productivity suites

• Demonstrates sound judgment, resilience, and ability to manage complex projects and competing priorities

• Demonstrates resilience, awareness and self-regulation in navigating challenges, conflict and obstacles/barriers.

• Thrives in a diverse and multicultural environment; works with cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategies to enhance end-user experiences throughout the service lifecycle

• Demonstrates exceptional commitment to serving and advocating for diverse and marginalized populations

• Successfully completes tasks in a low noise environment

• Interacts with others and performs tasks in-person and through the use of technology, with long periods of stationary activity and moderate periods of increased physical activity including and not limited to walking, standing, and navigating construction environments

• Moves equipment/materials weighing up to 25 pounds

• Travels between worksites regularly

• Works in a variety of settings, including and not limited to LCSNW office locations, partner agency and community-based settings, outdoor settings in varying weather conditions, construction and development sites, and faith-based settings such as churches
• Meets LCSNW criminal background clearance requirements and other job-relevant clearances as required by the State or program

Thank you! We sincerely appreciate your interest in joining the Lutheran Community Services NW team and thank all applicants for taking the time to apply. While we're unable to respond to every candidate individually, please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Lutheran Community Services NW is deeply committed to our mission of Health, Justice and Hope in all aspects of our work. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences to help us build a stronger, more compassionate community.