Director Of Development Services

Description

The Director of Development Services, under the direction of the Chief RE and Development Officer, is responsible for the management, coordination and oversight of organization-wide development and special development projects. This position requires a high level of analytical ability in order to gather and interpret complex data and to find solutions to unusual and difficult challenges in the housing development arena. Incumbents have substantial latitude for independent action in setting objectives and deciding how to proceed.

Examples of Duties

The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be required and assigned, as needed. These essential functions require a consistent presence in the work environment on a regular basis and regular attendance must be maintained.

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  Responsible for leading the development team to implement short and long-term strategies, goals, objectives, policies and priorities for development, acquisition, disposition and redevelopment projects.
• Carries out complex professional project development and management involving complex planning and real estate financing on new development, redevelopment and acquisition projects. This includes managing contracts, grants and special funds and developing the work programs, budgets, and project oversight mechanisms to ensure that short and long-term goals are met.
• Creates, manages and ensures compliance with HUD grants for development and department budgets to include the request to HUD for budget revisions.
• Directs and manages the day to day operations of the department staff.
• Reviews and approves all real estate documents, draws, contracts, purchase orders, payments, supplies, etc..
• Represents the organization throughout the development process to include planning meetings, zoning, City Council, other city and county meetings, as well as neighborhood and community meetings.
• Schedules, conducts meetings and delivers presentations to advisory boards, elected officials and the general public to discuss and make recommendations for the creation or modification of residential development with ancillary economic development plans and ordinances; acts as a liaison to advisory committees and represents the CREO at times.
• Evaluates and makes recommendations for potential development, redevelopment and acquisition projects with the context of Opportunity Home SA Mission and Goals. This includes preparing recommendations for project partnerships, financial implications and options, market feasibility, amenities and other factors necessary to make informed project decisions.
• Works collaboratively with local, state and federal government agencies and nonprofit and private sector developers on affordable housing issues, including project funding, down payment assistance, rehabilitation loan programs and special needs housing programs.
• Analyzes state and federally assisted housing and related policies, and makes recommendations regarding the impact of these policies on Opportunity Home SA development initiatives. Develops project plans and coordinates the implementation of these plans with other departments.
• Provides advanced technical assistance to staff, other governmental agencies and the public regarding plans, policies and affordable housing regulations and proposed development activities.
• Reviews and makes recommendations on partnership agreements, financial applications and provides organizational development assistance to nonprofits, trade and marketing organizations and businesses.
• Complete all duties as assigned or requested as outlined in operational and procedural guidelines. These guidelines are maintained and issued in the event of an emergency situation that arises at a property or any other location that serves our residents or employees.
• Participate in Trauma Informed Care (TIC) initiatives to include training, workgroups, project assignments, etc., that are launched or implemented in order to achieve and/or maintain certification as a TIC organization.
• Participate in initiatives to include training, workgroups, project assignments, etc., that are launched or implemented in order to create awareness, foster, cultivate and preserve a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Recognize the significance of a data driven organization that adheres to expanded policies and practices in the area of data governance. Learn the distinct and different roles to include: Data Trustee, Data Domain Stewards, Data System Custodians, Data Stewards and Data Users. Effectively collaborate with the various data roles as needed on a daily basis or in a project capacity.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Lead, motivate, engage and retain employees by:
  • Setting goals for performance and deadlines that comply and conform with the company’s plans and vision.
  • Organizing workflow and ensuring that employees understand and are trained on their duties or delegated tasks.
  • Monitoring employee productivity and providing constructive feedback and coaching
  • Ensuring alignment across various procedures.

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  Values Driven | Demonstrates an understanding of the values (Compassion, Equity and Excellence) and embodies the values in their work and interactions with residents, vendors, co-workers, supervisors, board members, community members, and other stakeholders.
• Leadership | Provides direction to people and/or projects by clearly and effectively setting course of action for the assigned department staff and tasks; manages the planning, execution, and achievement of assigned department goals.
• Customer Service | Responds with Compassion in a professional manner to the expectations and needs of internal and external customers; is friendly and helpful to all customers, fostering positive relationships while providing Excellent service.
• Effective Use of Information | Communicates important information to those who need to know clearly, securely, effectively, orally and/or in writing; proactively exchanges accurate and timely information.
• Commitment and Continuous Improvement | Sets the standard for Excellence by proactively pursuing innovation through systematic experimentation and learning. Corrects mistakes by assessing appropriate processes, proposing adjustments, and prioritizing long-term solutions.
• Teamwork | Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits Compassion, objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; supports everyone's efforts of Excellence; attends, supports, and participates in the organization’s team building events.
• Responsiveness and Accountability | Demonstrates a high level of Excellence and holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work; complies with procedures and directives and understands the importance of maintaining and managing confidential information; recognizes and anticipates issues and provides a responsive resolution in a timely manner.

Typical Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Law, Real Estate or a related field.

• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in planning, economic development, and/or housing development.
• Must have the ability to learn and use cloud applications such as the Google GSuite applications to include but not limited to: Google Chrome Browser, Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Docs, Sheets and Slides. Understanding document sharing and collaboration in the cloud. Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, cloud accessible applications to include but not limited to: One drive, Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint or MAC or PC desktop equivalent is acceptable.
• Successful completion of a criminal history background check, education, and work history verification, and drug screening test.

• Master’s Degree in Architecture, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Law, Real Estate or a related field
• Ten (10)+ years of related progressive experience.
• Ability to learn cloud technologies such as LucidChart for diagram, workflow and chart drawing. Experience with Vizio or equivalent is acceptable. Basic understanding of Virtual Private Network (VPN) access to connect to internal business systems.

• Must complete training within 18 months:
  • NDC Affordable Housing Finance Professional
  • Senior Public Housing Manager Certification
  • Fair Housing
• Must complete training within 24 months:
  • Green and Sustainability Initiatives
• Texas Class “C” driver’s license at the time of placement and insurable by the organization’s fleet and liability insurance carrier.

• Acquire certifications for:
  • NDC Affordable Housing Finance Professional
  • Senior Public Housing Manager Certification
  • Fair Housing
  • Green and Sustainability Initiatives

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  Ability to manage all aspects of pre development, development, construction/rehabilitation and stabilization phases of mixed-income and affordable housing multifamily and single family developments, including financing, site control, title evidence, design development, construction draw review and approval, federal and governmental approvals, including funding and regulatory approvals, ownership structure, federal environmental clearance and remediation, budget, schedule, legal and regulatory compliance, materials and servicing contracting, risk management, marketing/lease-up, public relations and asset management.
• Ability to prepare applications for debt, equity and government program funding; coordinate value engineering and environmental remediation; secure zoning changes, building permits and “gap” financing; and negotiate business terms with sellers and funding providers, securing their incorporation into binding agreements, including limited partnership agreements and interim/permanent debt and bond documentation.
• Ability to successfully work with state and local governments, nonprofit housing providers, real estate brokers, architects, engineers, surveyors, attorneys, accountants, title companies, general contractors, property managers, lenders and equity providers.
• Extensive knowledge of and experience with affordable housing programs, including Supportive Housing programs, inclusionary zoning, special needs housing, Section 8 Rental Housing, Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Employer Assisted Housing Programs. Determining feasibility of prospective multi family developments utilizing varying methods of financing, including 9% and 4% LIHTC, HOME, CDBG, FHLB/AHP, HUD insured mortgages (221d4), conventional construction and permanent financing, and tax-exempt essential function and 501(c)(3) bonds.
• Ability to identify unique solutions to address and satisfy competing requirements of multiple federal and governmental funding sources and program compliance.
• Maintains working knowledge of affordable and public housing finance programs and regulatory requirements,
• Knowledge of project feasibility by reviewing and understanding operating proformas, sources and uses budgets, and total development costs for potential transactions.
• Plan and organize development and acquisition projects to assure completion within funding time frames.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Excellent leadership qualities, solid organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• High level of interaction with external/internal clients.
• May be transferred or be required to work at different properties or sites for interim periods in order to support business needs.

• Subject to environmental elements when conducting visits to various sites or participating in outside events.

Opportunity Home is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information, marital status, veteran status, arrest record or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Opportunity Home is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.