Director of Housing Development
Locations: Oakland, CA; Foster City, CA; Watsonville, CA
About the Employer
Since 1970, MidPen Housing has been committed to providing safe, affordable housing of high quality to those in need; establishing stability and opportunity in the lives of residents; and fostering diverse communities that allow people from all ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds to live in dignity, harmony, and mutual respect. MidPen develops affordable housing, provides professional property management for all its communities, and coordinates robust onsite support programs that help residents thrive. Active in 12 Northern California counties, MidPen has earned recognition as one of the nation's leading non-profit developers and stewards of affordable housing. The current portfolio of more than 130 properties is home to 20,000 working families, seniors, and people with special needs. MidPen is certified as an official Great Place to Work® in 2025.
Role Summary
The Director of Housing Development is responsible for managing a team of Real Estate Development personnel including Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, Associate Project Managers and/or Project Associates. The team executes all aspects of the development process for new construction and/or acquisition/rehabilitation projects, ensuring financially and operationally viable developments in a timely and cost-efficient manner. The Director provides training and mentoring to Development Team members.
What You'll Do
Lead a Development Team through the development process providing strategic advice, training and guidance to minimize MidPen's risk, ensure adherence to MidPen standards, and fulfillment of MidPen's mission.
Site Identification & Acquisition
- Identify sites for potential housing developments
- Lead site acquisition negotiations with property owners
- Prepare Letters of Intent to property owners
- Negotiate site acquisition documents
- Provide support and overall guidance during the land acquisition process to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and schedule
Project Conceptualization & Feasibility Analysis
- Assist and support staff in completion of site feasibility analysis including risk review of potential transactions
- Review due diligence reports for potential sites and assist team in identifying potential areas of exposure for MidPen that require mitigation or re-negotiation
- Review, refine and modify as necessary conceptual financial analysis for potential sites
- Review refine and modify as necessary the project's critical path schedule ensuring key project milestones can be achieved
Project Financing
- Assist team in preparation of funding applications and review and sign off on financing plan prior to application submittal to ensure adherence to MidPen underwriting standards
- Support Project Manager in closing the financing for the development, including taking the lead in negotiations with lenders and investors on critical issues, as necessary and appropriate
- Ensure clear documentation of loan and partnership terms for file and for approval via MidPen's Term Sheet process
- Ensure proforma that accurately reflects the project expenses and financing plan are up to date and accurate so that decisions during construction can be made efficiently
Entitlements, Permitting and Pre-Construction
- Assist Project Manager in selection of architects, design consultants and general contractor
- Assist Project Manager in negotiation of all contracts as needed and review and approve any deviations from MidPen's standard AIA contracts for both architect and general contractor
- Review and approve entitlement package submittal before submission
- Guide and support community engagement plan
Project Close-out & Transition to Operations
- Ensure adherence to MidPen's standard process for preparation of project summary and execute file transfer to central files
Represent MidPen
- Represent the corporation before public bodies as needed
- Network with appropriate groups and individuals
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with all internal and external entities
- Provide technical assistance to other non-profit organizations
- Represent the organization at public hearings and other speaking engagements
Mentoring and Management
- Be available for advice, meetings, and consultations
- Review work of team members weekly including review of budget and schedule and troubleshoot problems with a focus on critical path
- Conduct formal group trainings as requested
- Work with Senior Vice President(s) of Housing Development to develop systems and written procedures for the department, as requested
- Participate actively as a member of the Development Department's Leadership Team
Internal Coordination
- Support team in coordination with all internal stakeholder departments including property management and services and ensure team adheres to established internal protocols for cross departmental collaboration
- Ensure that the building program, financing plan, and operating budget/reserves meet MidPen standards
- Ensure that project budgets and critical path schedules are updated regularly and accurately for review by the Senior Vice President(s) of Housing Development and other internal partners
- Ensure schedule and budget changes are communicated in a timely manner
- Ensure team adheres to established procedures and requirements for reporting to MidPen's Board of Directors and Development Committee including review and/or preparation of monthly board memos and project summary report
- Ensure team adheres to MidPen's Development Guidelines and Real Estate Investment Guidelines
- Perform other assignments as requested
Required Qualifications
- Graduate or Professional degree in Urban Planning, Community Development, Architecture, or related fields with an emphasis on real estate development, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- At least seven (7) years prior development experience
- Previous work experience managing personnel
- Thorough knowledge of Federal, State, Local, and Private sources of financing for low-income housing
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including demonstrated skill in making effective presentations at public forums and facilitating community group discussions
- Strong negotiating skills and sound political judgment
- Excellent organizational and project management skills
- Ability to prepare in-depth financial feasibility analyses, conduct research, and prepare narrative reports and proposals
- Knowledge of real estate and tax law as it pertains to the development of low-income housing
- Proven ability to work effectively with lenders, investors, public officials, and low-income tenants
- Familiarity with standard architectural and construction practices and demonstrated ability to effectively supervise the design and construction of at least two low-income housing developments in coordination with the Construction Manager
- Proven ability to support, grow, and guide direct reports
- Strong computer skills, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Project
- Ability to develop standard internal tax credit proformas and to train other staff in their use
- Ability to work in fast-moving, flexible environment
- Commitment to the goals and mission of the organization
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks. Frequently sitting. Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, use a telephone, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 15 pounds. Rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat, kneel/crawl.
Compensation
$193,600–$217,800 annual salary, based on applicable experience and qualifications
Benefits
Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability Insurance, 403(b) Retirement Investment, Employee Education Reimbursement Program, Paid Parental Leave, FSA for Childcare, Medical, and Commuter Benefits, EAP Program, Pet Insurance, Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Wellness Days
Equal Opportunity Statement
MidPen Housing Corp. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. MidPen is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process and will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.