Chief Development Officer

Location: Knoxville, TN

About the Employer

Knoxville's Community Development Corporation (KCDC) is the housing authority and redevelopment agency for Knoxville. With a mission to collaborate with the Knoxville community to create and preserve housing opportunities and strengthen neighborhoods, KCDC drives change throughout Knoxville by serving as its own development lead on transformative housing and neighborhood redevelopment initiatives.

Role Summary

The Chief Development Officer will lead KCDC's housing development and neighborhood redevelopment initiatives, serving as a strategic and operational leader working in close partnership with the CEO and executive leadership team. This position provides executive leadership for internally driven real estate development initiatives, guiding complex housing and redevelopment projects from early planning and financing through construction and stabilization. The CDO will actively guide projects through pre-development, design, and construction—working directly with architects, engineers, and contractors to deliver high-quality developments that create lasting community impact.

What You'll Do

Provide executive leadership for KCDC's housing development and redevelopment initiatives, including mixed-income housing, neighborhood revitalization, preservation of existing affordable housing, and large-scale redevelopment projects.
Serve as primary development lead, directly guiding KCDC through the full development lifecycle including concept planning, site acquisition, community engagement, financial structuring, design, construction oversight, lease-up, and stabilization.
Lead the structuring and negotiation of complex financing strategies that support KCDC's development and redevelopment initiatives, utilizing tax credits, bonds, tax increment financing, PILOT programs, state and federal funding, and conventional debt and equity investments.
Develop and maintain strong partnerships with private developers, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, and governmental agencies to advance KCDC's housing and redevelopment initiatives.
Collaborate closely with the City of Knoxville to evaluate redevelopment opportunities, coordinate incentives, and implement development strategies that align with community priorities.
Represent KCDC in negotiations involving development agreements, financing structures, and public incentives related to housing and redevelopment initiatives.
Provide leadership and oversight for KCDC's development team, including the Director of Real Estate and Redevelopment and other development staff responsible for project implementation.
Mentor and coach team members while strengthening the organization's capacity to manage complex housing development initiatives.
Establish systems and processes to monitor development progress, manage risk, track project performance, and ensure projects are delivered on schedule and within budget.
Work collaboratively with internal departments including finance, housing operations, strategy, and communications to ensure alignment across development initiatives.
Engage residents, community organizations, and neighborhood stakeholders to inform development planning and ensure redevelopment efforts reflect community priorities.
Prepare reports and presentations for the CEO, Board of Commissioners, and external stakeholders regarding development initiatives and progress.
Identify innovative development approaches and financing strategies that expand affordable housing supply and promote neighborhood revitalization.
Evaluate redevelopment opportunities and help implement projects that strengthen Knoxville's neighborhoods, increase housing opportunity, and support long-term economic growth.
Ensure development initiatives comply with all applicable federal, state, and local housing policies, financing requirements, and regulatory obligations.
Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with the CEO, executive leadership, and staff to support KCDC's mission and long-term success.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in real estate development, urban planning, finance, public administration, construction management, or a related field.
Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in affordable housing development, real estate development, construction management, or redevelopment, including demonstrated success in:
Leading development projects in an owner-driven environment, with direct oversight of pre-development, design, and construction
Structuring and closing complex, multi-layered development transactions
Utilizing financing tools such as LIHTC, tax-exempt bonds, Opportunity Zones, TIF, and PILOT programs
Navigating state and federal housing regulations and development compliance requirements
Leading redevelopment initiatives involving public-private partnerships and governmental agencies
Deep expertise in affordable housing development, real estate finance, and construction management, with the ability to lead projects as an active owner's representative through pre-development, design, and construction.
Strong command of complex capital stack structuring and redevelopment financing tools, along with a thorough understanding of Tennessee housing regulations and programs such as those administered by THDA or similar state housing finance agencies.
Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and partnership skills, with the ability to manage diverse stakeholders, drive large-scale development initiatives, and clearly communicate complex financial and technical concepts to a wide range of audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in a related field.

Compensation

Competitive, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

Health, dental, vision, and life insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; 8.8% contributions to a retirement plan.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted electronically at kcdc.org and will require an online application, resume, cover letter, and references. The position is open until filled with a first review of applications beginning May 11, 2026.

Knoxville's Community Development Corporation jobs

Chief Development Officer