Director, Real Estate

About the role

The role is hybrid, requiring two days each week in the office and can be based in Kansas City, MO; New York City, NY; or Washington, D.C. corporate offices. NeighborWorks America is a mission-driven organization committed to fostering a high-performing culture guided by core values of accountability, integrity, curiosity, excellence, respect, and collaboration. The company supports affordable homes, financial counseling, community building, and collaboration across health, employment, and education.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation, delivery, and evaluation of programs that support business sustainability and growth in alignment with departmental strategies and priorities.
• Leverage internal and external data to inform strategic decision-making and identify trends in affordable housing development practices.
• Manage technical assistance support for specific enterprise-strengthening programs, including national, regional, district, and on-site trainings for the NeighborWorks Network.
• Provide technical subject matter expertise and programmatic guidance in engagements where real estate intersects with access to capital, portfolio management, resident services, climate resilience, and other initiatives.
• Support departmental thought leadership activities and strategic priorities.
• Manage and maintain relationships with an array of stakeholders, including institutions, industry groups, intermediaries, GSEs, foundations, and leading like-minded practitioners.
• Manage the Real Estate Advisory Committee (REAC), a committee of approximately 18 network real estate staff members, predominantly CEOs/Executive Directors.
• Develop and administer grants programs that advance real estate development and preservation practices.
• Optimize strategic decision-making during the annual budget process and throughout the fiscal year by prioritizing, advocating, and responsibly managing available operating funds.
• Ensure timely payment and efficient contracting of any required external vendors in collaboration with Procurement and Finance.
• Provide affordable housing development subject matter expertise and strategic advice for NeighborWorks America senior leadership.
• Work collaboratively with Marketing Communications to facilitate the creation of materials and support external speaking engagements.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in real estate, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Community Development, or a related field required. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degrees.
• Experience: Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in affordable housing development, management, or finance, including technical and leadership roles.
• Licenses, Certifications: None specified.
• Competencies, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Strong knowledge in real estate development and finance, significant work with and understanding of community-based nonprofits and affordable real estate development, strategic change management for innovation, grants management, technical assistance program development, project management, problem solving, analysis, and communication.
• NeighborWorks America Staff: Expected to demonstrate excellence in sensitivity, effective communication, teamwork, analytical thinking, and commitment to equity, social justice, and positive community impact.
• Technology: Proficient use of Microsoft Office suite.

Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of the philosophy and work of NeighborWorks America and the NeighborWorks America network.
• Familiarity with climate mitigation and adaptation strategies in real estate development.

Skills

• Strong knowledge in real estate development and finance, including the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program (LIHTC), New Market Tax Credits (NMTC), etc.
• Demonstrated strategic change management for innovation along with ability to conceptualize and launch new strategies and programs.
• Demonstrated experience with grants management, including developing and administering grant opportunities.
• Experience developing and managing a technical assistance program, including the creation of new tools, resources, trainings, and peer learning opportunities.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including independent management of budgets and timelines as well as coordinating with diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and successfully interact with people at all levels, as well as people of diverse backgrounds.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including experience conducting research/surveying and data analysis to improve program design and delivery.

Benefits

• 401(k) match of up to 12%
• 11 paid holidays
• Generous leave (including 40 hours of paid volunteer time)
• Industry-leading benefits
• Staff Training and Education Program (STEP)

Pay

• $101,000 - $128,000

Schedule

• Hybrid work environment - requires two days in the office