Director, Development

About the Role

The Director of Development works closely with the CEO and Deputy CEO to lead and implement HCAAC's development strategic goals, objectives, and priorities by developing a pipeline of affordable rental communities. This role plans, organizes, and manages all assigned functions and activities, including coordination with outside agencies, public officials, and communities. The Director is responsible for originating, coordinating, and implementing all aspects of affordable housing project development from deal origination and feasibility through acquisition, construction, and closing. Projects include new construction, acquisition/rehabilitation, and joint ventures with other developers.

Responsibilities

• Oversee, manage, and prepare the financial management of funds for development, including Capital Funds, HUD Funding, Department of Housing & Community Development Funding, and Arundel Community Development Services Funding in cooperation with the Finance Department.
• Facilitate development partnerships with developers, community-based organizations, and local jurisdictions.
• Conduct physical, financial, and operational due diligence on properties during feasibility, acquisition, and predevelopment phases.
• Prepare financing applications to public and private sources, including HOME, state and national housing trust funds, energy efficiency funds, LIHTC 9% competitive and 4% bond financing with DHCD and ACDS, and local, regional, and national banks.
• Coordinate pre-development and development activities, including lender relationships, legal documents, financial planning (development and operating budgets with multiple sources), construction documents, and ongoing management of project financials.
• Oversee compliance with city, state, and federal oversight agencies and private investors/lenders.
• Acquire properties from public agencies and the private market.
• Oversee property financial statement preparation and assist with financial statements for year-end audits.
• Research cost-effective approaches to reduce operating expenses for all properties.
• Communicate and interact with the Housing Commission, Housing Corporation, and all federal, state, and local partners in redevelopment, development, and real estate projects.
• Interact with HUD and related affiliates on RAD transactions throughout the entire process.
• Complete and coordinate all efforts on RAD-related marketing, management, leasing, relocation, and FHEO obligations.
• Lead pre-development and development meetings, including interaction with public and private partners, neighborhood groups, and attendance at public hearings.
• Coordinate meetings, conference calls, and strategies for company real estate projects.
• Act as liaison between the company, the Housing Commission, Housing Corporation, and all partners and stakeholders.
• Review and maintain all required documents, checklists, summaries, plans, and elements related to applications, financing plans, development plans, closing, and post-closing.
• Monitor all required elements, including applications, checklists, forms, contracts, estimates, proposals, plans, and other documents pertaining to redevelopment, development, or acquisition.
• Plan and coordinate all marketing and event activities for the company.
• Prepare reports for the Board of Commissioners.
• Review and help develop the annual property management plan and operating budget.
• Set up and maintain a detailed filing system for all projects.
• Attend client meetings and assist with determining project requirements; educate the public on agency development.
• Prepare, review, and approve requests for payment by vendors and contractors, contract change orders/time extensions, and contract settlement documents.
• Prepare, review, and manage all documents relevant to the Capital Fund Program, including required reports.
• Manage information, contract ledger, cash flow analysis, and contract dispute resolutions.
• Reconcile construction costs to budget line items and cost centers.
• Correspond with contractors, vendors, and HUD as necessary.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate construction projects with executive management, asset managers, residents, and contractors.
• Inspect the progress and quality of work by contractors to ensure compliance with mandated practices and technical specifications.
• Monitor Federal Labor Standards Compliance consistent with HUD guidelines.
• Resolve disputes and claims with contractors, vendors, suppliers, and residents.
• Prepare, review, and approve all payments for subcontractors, consultants, and general contractors.
• Maintain all capital and development filing systems.
• Manage all HUD paperwork for Davis Bacon, Reporting, Section 3 Reporting, and MBE.
• Bid and generate Requests for Proposals as set forth in the HCAAC Procurement Policy Manual.
• Procure services for Architectural, MEP Engineering, Civil Engineering, Sustainability, Energy Auditing, Environmental, Lead Paint Abatement, Utilities Abatement, Radon Services, and Physical Needs Assessment.
• Generate scope of work, design, drawings, and technical specifications.
• Make decisions concerning project scope, design, and budget to align with construction needs.
• Prepare and review technical specifications and Project Manuals for projects.
• Participate in long-term planning and assess the Commission’s real estate development requirements for approval by management and the HCAAC Board of Commissioners.
• Write, distribute, collate, and interpret an annual survey of residents and staff concerning development needs.
• Perform and prepare physical needs assessments and environmental reviews for all HCAAC properties.
• Coordinate and plan construction and non-construction activities allowable under the Comprehensive Grant Program, Community Development Block Grants, or other funding sources.
• Identify other funding sources for HCAAC initiatives; initiate, research, develop, and write grant proposals.
• Present the yearly Comprehensive Grant Submission to the public through site meetings and public hearings.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assign, review, plan, and coordinate the work of employees.
• Evaluate employee job performance.
• Provide instruction, training, and respond to employee problems.
• Approve discipline or discharge of an employee.
• Approve the selection, promotion, or transfer of an employee.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Asset or Property Management, or a related field, supplemented by a minimum of ten years of construction field, field management, or related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Five or more years of experience with Maryland DHCD Tax Credit programs, Affordable Housing Financing programs, and federal housing conversion programs such as Demolition/Disposition and Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) at the agency or consultant level.
• Knowledge of Project-Based Vouchers and LIHTC development requirements; experience negotiating directly with HUD, HUD FHEO, and other federal, state, and local parties involved in federal housing conversions.
• Extensive knowledge of all facets of federal housing conversion processes from application through negotiation and closing, including resident relocation strategies, Fair Housing strategies, and navigating negotiations with federal agencies.

Skills

• Ability to manage and direct a group of workers; supervise, counsel, and mediate; persuade, convince, influence, and train others.
• Ability to advise and interpret policies, procedures, and standards for specific situations.
• Proficiency in basic mathematical operations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, and percentages.
• Ability to comprehend reference books and manuals, including Administrative Plan, HUD regulations, Maryland Annotated Code, and Personnel Policy.
• Ability to prepare newsletters, reviews, reports, memoranda, correspondence, and other documents using prescribed formats and adhering to rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
• Ability to accurately record and deliver information, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality of restricted information.
• Ability to use and interpret legal and basic computer terminology and language.
• Ability to use independent judgment, common sense, and principles of influence in task performance.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions, respond to emergencies, and balance priorities within and between offices/departments.
• Ability to maintain composure, handle difficult situations tactfully, and interpret questions correctly; behave professionally with clients, coworkers, supervisors, subordinates, and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, other directors, attorneys, agencies, and the public both verbally and in writing.

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, talk, and hear. The employee frequently walks, moves up and down stairs, uses hands and arms to handle, feel, and reach, pushes, pulls, bends, twists, and lifts up to two pounds. The role involves reading small print, entering and locating information on computer systems, writing documents and reports, and operating office machines such as calculators, copiers, computers, telephones, and fax machines. Proficiency in departmental software, including ECS and HUD software, is required.