Housing Director

About This Role

This Housing Director role at Friends Center for Children in New Haven, CT offers $90,000/Yr to an experienced early childhood education professional ready to lead staff, curriculum, and compliance.

Reports to

Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer

Classification

FTE - Exempt

Hours

40 hours per week, with some evening and weekend hours

Salary Range

$90,000

Benefits

• Employer-sponsored health insurance
• PTO
• childcare

Position Summary

The Housing Director is a senior individual contributor role responsible for leading Friends Center for Children's housing strategy, real estate operations, and workforce housing portfolio. This individual will drive the day-to-day and long-term development of the Teacher Housing Initiative, identify and advance new housing opportunities, and support the national replication of the model with partner organizations.

What You'll Do

Housing Expansion Management & Real Estate Development (50%)

• Lead the day-to-day partner management and long-term strategic growth of Friends Center's Teacher Housing Initiative and related workforce housing portfolio.
• Identify, evaluate, and advance new housing opportunities, including property acquisition, development, renovation, adaptive reuse, and partnership-based housing models.
• Navigate real estate transactions including site control, financing structures, due diligence, and closing processes.
• Build and maintain relationships with developers, lenders, investors, municipalities, public agencies, and community partners to support housing growth.
• Ensure all housing initiatives reflect Friends Center's values of equity, dignity, community, and educator well-being.

Replication & National Movement Support (30%)

• Support the replication of the Free Teacher Housing model with partner organizations across the country, providing technical assistance on real estate, financing, and program structure.
• Develop and maintain replication resources including toolkits, model documentation, financial frameworks, and case studies.
• Represent Friends Center as a thought leader on workforce housing at national conferences, convenings, and in partner relationships.
• Monitor emerging trends, policies, and financing tools relevant to workforce housing and early childhood education infrastructure.

Fundraising & Financial Stewardship (20%)

• Support capital campaigns, grant development, and public funding opportunities related to housing acquisition and development.
• Develop financial models, proposals, and reports for funders, lenders, and investors related to housing projects.
• Manage housing budgets, track expenditures, and ensure financial sustainability across the portfolio.
• Identify and pursue NMTC, CDFI, LIHTC, and other public and private financing mechanisms to support housing growth.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Background in real estate development, housing finance, community development, or a related field.
• Familiarity with community development finance tools including NMTC, CDFI lending, tax credit structures, and public subsidy programs.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple properties, partnerships, and workstreams simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop proposals, financial models, and partnership materials for diverse audiences.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and working in a fast-moving, mission-driven environment.
• Experience supporting or building replication of a program, model, or initiative across multiple sites preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, workforce dignity, and community-centered development.
• Deep alignment with Friends Center's mission and values, and genuine interest in the intersection of housing, workforce stability, and early childhood education.

Benefits

• Common Questions
• What ECE credentials are required for this position?
• No credentials required for this role.
• What does this position pay?
• This Housing Director role pays $90,000/Yr.
• Is this full-time or part-time?
• This job is Full Time.
• Where is Friends Center for Children located?
• Friends Center for Children is located at 227 East Grand Avenue, New Haven, CT.