Director, Housing Affordability

About the role

We are seeking Director candidates with a passion for addressing housing affordability challenges to work closely with the lead partner for the Housing Affordability practice in our Los Angeles office.

The successful candidate will have a(n):

• Passion for housing affordability, community development and inclusive communities overall
• Familiarity with local housing policy tools (e.g. inclusionary zoning, preservation loan funds, by-right development, etc.) and emerging housing challenges
• Grasp of the development process, real estate economics and the ability to draft and read develop project financials
• Ability to engage with local officials and community leaders on complex housing policy issues
• Desire to help build the housing affordability practice by leading engagements, training staff and advancing thought leadership
• Broad interest in HR&A’s work to address the most pressing challenges facing cities

Responsibilities

• Manage internal and external teams to complete housing market analysis
• Lead stakeholder engagement activities
• Evaluate the economic feasibility of housing policies including pro forma analysis for a range of uses, market feasibility research, business planning, public-private partnership strategy, and public policy design
• Review and present deliverables to clients, including memos, reports and PowerPoint presentations
• Support the firm’s marketing and client engagement efforts

Requirements

• Strong analytical, project management, relationship management and housing finance capabilities aligned with the roles and responsibilities described above
• Most importantly, they will bring a passion and interest in developing and implementing new programs and policies to address the housing challenges of communities across the country
• Key experience includes:
• 6–10 years of work experience in housing policy analysis and design, housing market analysis, affordable housing finance, and/or consulting in a related field
• 5-7 years of experience in Real Estate Development or Finance, including 4+ years of real estate underwriting experience, preferably with affordable multifamily, and 2+ year of relationship management
• Thorough knowledge of common underwriting practices and procedures
• Thorough understanding of housing and affordable housing related market forces including general real estate principles, supply and demand economics and other multifamily demand drivers
• A high degree of proficiency in real estate financial modeling, experience with affordable housing finance is a plus
• Comfort synthesizing data and crafting a compelling narrative
• Comfort presenting to internal senior leadership and external clients
• Strong project management experience, including professional and interpersonal communication skills aligned with guiding teams

Qualifications

• Successful candidates will bring strong analytical, project management, relationship management and housing finance capabilities aligned with the roles and responsibilities described above
• Most importantly they will bring a passion and interest in developing and implementing new programs and policies to address the housing challenges of communities across the country
• Key experience includes:
• 6–10 years of work experience in housing policy analysis and design, housing market analysis, affordable housing finance, and/or consulting in a related field
• 5-7 years of experience in Real Estate Development or Finance, including 4+ years of real estate underwriting experience, preferably with affordable multifamily, and 2+ year of relationship management
• Thorough knowledge of common underwriting practices and procedures
• Thorough understanding of housing and affordable housing related market forces including general real estate principles, supply and demand economics and other multifamily demand drivers
• A high degree of proficiency in real estate financial modeling, experience with affordable housing finance is a plus
• Comfort synthesizing data and crafting a compelling narrative
• Comfort presenting to internal senior leadership and external clients
• Strong project management experience, including professional and interpersonal communication skills aligned with guiding teams

Skills

• Passion for housing affordability, community development and inclusive communities overall
• Familiarity with local housing policy tools (e.g. inclusionary zoning, preservation loan funds, by-right development, etc.) and emerging housing challenges
• Grasp of the development process, real estate economics and the ability to draft and read develop project financials
• Ability to engage with local officials and community leaders on complex housing policy issues
• Desire to help build the housing affordability practice by leading engagements, training staff and advancing thought leadership
• Broad interest in HR&A’s work to address the most pressing challenges facing cities

Benefits

• Competitive compensation packages, based on qualifications and experience
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• Comprehensive benefits package that goes well beyond coverage of 90-95% of healthcare premiums, including dental and vision coverage

Pay

The base salary range for this position is $141,600–$163,779, plus the opportunity for a discretionary year-end bonus. Where an offer falls inside this pay range is dependent on experience.

Schedule

HR&A fosters a collaborative and flexible work environment through our hybrid work policy. Employees work from the office at least three days a week, which allows individuals the freedom to balance their professional and personal lives while maintaining a strong connection to their teams.