Community Development Director

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Community Development Director (Director) position is driven by the way that the built environment influences opportunity, access, upward mobility, and neighborhood vitality. The Director will oversee and stabilize Growing Together’s Housing Pillar strategy, managing a diverse real estate and programmatic portfolio that includes the Kendall Whittier Neighborhood Trust (KWNT), mixed-income housing projects, and other community development initiatives. The Director is responsible for shaping and executing a real estate development strategy in coordination with the Executive Director, GT Leadership, and Growing Together and KWNT governing boards, ensuring compliance, and serving as the operational and relational bridge with contractors, developers, financial institutions, and community partners. The successful candidate will bring a blend of expertise, discipline, resilience, humility, and curiosity. They will be driven to measure success through return on investment AND community impact. The Director will play a critical role in building a transparent, results-oriented infrastructure that advances long-term economic sustainability and measurable community impact in alignment with Growing Together’s mission and goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Collaboration, Planning & Development:

• Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the Growing Together Mixed-Income Housing Initiatives in accordance with the overall mission and goals of Growing Together.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive, community-centric real estate strategy aligned with the organization's mission and objectives, emphasizing a realistic pipeline of mixed-income rental and affordable for-sale housing developments.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of methods; identify opportunities for improvement; direct the implementation of changes needed to achieve goals.
• Recruit, broker, and oversee strategic partnerships with key development partners, community partners, Growing Together staff, and community stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including partners, funders, board/committee members, and community partners/leaders
• Safeguard sensitive and confidential information related to Growing Together, real estate transactions, contracts, and financial data.

Real Estate Management/Development

• Lead operational and financial stabilization of real estate and programmatic assets held within the KWNT portfolio.
• Lead the preparation of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)applications, and assist the team and partners with the preparation of grant proposals and funding applications for development opportunities.
• Directly lead, manage, or oversee partners that implement current and future real estate development projects from inception to completion, with particular emphasis on mixed-income housing development projects.
• Develop and execute project plans, budgets, and timelines.
• Oversee all phases of development, including site acquisition, design, permitting, construction, and occupancy.
• Analyze market trends and opportunities for growth and investment.

Board Engagement:

• Communicate and implement Growing Together’s vision to/ with the Growing Together and KWNT boards within the Mixed-Income Housing component of its model.
• Report regularly to the relevant boards and committees on project status, financial performance, and strategic initiatives.

Community Engagement:

• Foster positive relationships within the community and partners.
• Center community voice and equitable impact in development planning and execution. Collaborate with community stakeholders to align projects with community needs and values.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Construction, Finance, or a related field is typically required. A master’s degree or relevant professional certifications (e.g., MBA,CCIM,)is strongly preferred.

Preferred Experience:

• At least 3 years of proven experience in real estate development and project management, preferably in a leadership role.
• Experience implementing a single project from initial concept to construction completion.
• Experience in community engagement and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with LIHTC, real estate laws, regulations, and zoning codes.

Key Skills and Competencies:

• Mission-driven professional: Demonstrates a deep commitment to equitable, place-based community transformation, using real estate development as a tool to advance social, educational, and economic outcomes for residents.
• Financial Acumen: Strong financial analysis skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling for real estate projects. Skill in the development and analysis of pro form as for affordable housing is required.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for effective interaction with the community, funders, the Board, and other stakeholders.
• Project Management: Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies to oversee multiple projects simultaneously and ensure they are completed on time and within budget.
• Negotiation Skills: Strong negotiation and contract management skills to secure favorable terms with contractors, developers, and financial institutions.
• Community Engagement: An understanding of community development principles and experience in engaging with communities to align projects with their needs.
• Confidentiality: A high degree of integrity and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Stakeholder Relationship Management: Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain positive relationships with contractors, developers, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think long-term, set clear objectives, and align real estate projects with the organization's strategic vision.
• Problem-Solving: Effective problem-solving skills to address challenges and obstacles that may arise during real estate projects.
• Adaptability: Flexibility and adaptability to navigate changing market conditions and project dynamics.