Associate Director of Real Estate Development

Associate Director of Real Estate Development

The Associate Director works with the Director of Housing Development to manage real estate development for LIHI. The position is responsible for supervising and developing multiple projects directly along with staff as we work in project teams. The position requires knowledge of all stages of affordable housing development process, from site assessment, through feasibility analysis, to financing, start of construction, construction progress, completion, close-out and hand-off to property management.

LIHI has an exemplary track record in development activities related to acquisition, new construction, and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing, permanent supportive housing, mixed use developments, affordable homeownership and mixed-income communities.

LIHI utilizes standard as well as non-traditional affordable housing resources. Work encompasses multiple projects in varying stages of development and may include large, technically complex housing and mixed-use projects, portfolio preservation projects, rural housing and innovative initiatives.

The Associate Director works independently to execute projects as well as collaboratively with the department staff and the Housing Development Director. The Development Department is non-hierarchical in practice, united in a common mission to work hard and enjoy the support of each other as we all undertake very great challenges to make housing happen. This sentiment is true of all members of our team, from support staff to senior project managers and the departments Director. The Associate Director of Housing Development will assist in carrying out the Housing Development Department work plan to develop LIHI-owned housing, provide development consulting services to other nonprofit and for-profit organizations and increase the resources for low-income housing through advocacy work.

Responsibilities:

• Researches new project opportunities in keeping with LIHIs goals and mission.
• Oversees and coordinates all stages of affordable housing development including site research and acquisition, feasibility analysis, pre-development, design, project financing, and construction for development projects.
• Secures funding to support feasibility, site acquisition, pre-development, construction, and permanent financing phases of development.
• Conducts feasibility studies and develops pro-forma financial projections.
• Develops detailed financial analyses and budgets and provides regular reports as required.
• Writes project applications and proposals required to secure competitive and non-competitive development and operational resources for project development and sustained operations. Oversees and closes loans and equity financing for projects to enable start of construction.
• Develops and oversees schedules and budgets from project start to completion.
• Oversees and monitors progress through project completion of development team members including architects, engineers, contractors, legal counsel and financial consultants.
• Develops and manages relationships with public and private funders, community and neighborhood groups, development partners and industry professionals.
• Represents organization before government agencies, planning and zoning commissions, city council, and other community meetings to garner critical support and governmental approvals for potential projects.
• Collaborates with the property management, asset management, and finance departments on the development of new projects and rehabilitation of existing projects.

Supervisory:

• Supervises project management staff on project development.
• Model an attitude that problems are opportunities to collaborate on solutions.
• Hires, trains, mentors, motivates and evaluates assigned staff.
• Ensures new development staff receive comprehensive training.
• Meets regularly with staff and supports their professional development and ongoing work.

Leadership:

• Represent the Housing Development Director when needed.
• Be an advocate for low income and affordable housing, and equitable development.
• Promotes strong inter-departmental relationships.
• Develop standards and improve operating procedures.
• Ability to foster teamwork.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree is required.
• A minimum five years of direct experience with affordable housing development. A Master's Degree as described below may be substituted for one year of experience depending on area of study.
• Previous experience with affordable housing finance, including LIHTC.
• Excellent presentation, written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to perform detailed financial analyses of housing developments concerning site acquisition, predevelopment activities, construction financing, and permanent financing.
• Highly independent, with ability to handle daily responsibilities and projects with minimal direction.
• Ability to work under pressure and successfully meet deadlines.
• Ability to understand architects drawings, legal documents and real estate agreements.
• Must be able to work collaboratively with project teams, funders, government agencies and a wide variety of individuals.
• Knowledgeable of and involved with local and state affordable housing issues and industry groups.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project management of complex projects (resyndications, LIHTC, mixed-use).
• Masters Degree in planning, public policy, business, or a related field.
• A minimum of two years supervisory experience.
• Work with Washington State public funders in a project manager role

Other Requirements:

• Must have a valid Washington State drivers license and driver liability insurance.
• Must have regular access to a reliable vehicle. Mileage is provided for travel between sites during shifts when needed.
• Must pass criminal background checks and drug screening tests.
• Must pass a motor vehicle/driving record check.

Benefits for this position (pro-rated for part time employees)

• Generous vacation and sick leave
• 10 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday
• Employer-Paid Medical, Dental, and Vision (with HRA, HSA & FSA options)
• Employer-Paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• 401k offered for unionized employees (through OPEIU8)
• 403b offered for non-union employees
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Assistance Program
• Aflac offered for all employees.

About us:

The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) has a 30-year history and track record of owning and managing low-income housing; developing innovative solutions to homelessness; advocating for housing justice; providing supportive services; and operating hygiene services for homeless people at our Urban Rest Stops. LIHI staff have developed over 5,000 affordable housing units and manages over 3,000 units including rental housing, permanent supportive housing and transitional housing. The populations served include: families, singles, seniors, veterans, young adults, immigrants, low wage workers, and people living with physical and mental disabilities. LIHI is one of the largest nonprofit housing organizations in the state. Our properties are located in Seattle, King County, and five adjacent counties. LIHI is a national leader in sponsoring tiny house villages as a crisis solution to homelessness. Annually, the tiny house villages and shelters serve 2,000 homeless people and our hygiene programs serve over 8,000 homeless people. LIHI staff is collaborative, dynamic, and dedicated to taking bold steps in ending homelessness and creating supportive communities for people to thrive.