Special Projects Manager

Come join a talented, diverse team of housing professionals that represent a coalition of 15 cities and King County working together to create affordable housing in the fast-growing East King County region. A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH) is dedicated to creating equitable, inclusive communities of opportunity through investment, policy development, program delivery and direct support for people looking for affordable rental and ownership housing.

The Special Projects Manager will advance strategic affordable housing development opportunities within East King County and provide expert advice and technical assistance to ARCH member jurisdictions and other community partners. This will include helping to evaluate broader opportunities across the region and advise ARCH members on local housing strategies and incentives, as well as provide targeted support to special projects that require unique financing, land use or partnership strategies, including projects that leverage underutilized public, nonprofit or faith community property. The successful applicant will have experience with a variety of development types (mixed use, multi-family, rental, and homeownership) and financing structures (tax credits, tax exempt bonds, local, state, and federal resources). They will also be skilled in analyzing feasibility and establishing priorities with staff and leadership of the surplus property owner and soliciting development partners to achieve the ARCH member goals. 

The Special Projects Manager is a member of the ARCH Investment team, which oversees several investment programs on behalf of ARCH and its member cities including the ARCH Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Bellevue Housing Stability Program (HSP), and the Issaquah Inclusive Housing Investment Pool (IHIP).  The Special Projects Manager will help lead ARCH’s work on surplus property and strategic development sites and coordinate closely with the Investment Team to align development opportunities with available funding. As a steward of public resources, the Special Projects Manager will also work with public and private lenders and investors to leverage local resources for greatest impact. 

The Special Projects Manager reports to the Investments Manager, with the opportunity to shape the strategic direction of affordable housing development in the region as local investment in housing grows.

In this role, you will undertake the following responsibilities:

Special Projects and Surplus Sites

• Evaluate surplus properties for suitability of affordable housing development, including potential co-development with other public and private uses.
• Provide expertise and advice on special projects, including on financing and deal structuring.
• Complete financial feasibility studies to inform potential property offerings. 
• Draft and assist with implementation of various affordable housing solicitations, including request for proposals or request for qualifications.
• Engage public and private property owners with vacant or underutilized property that may be suitable for affordable housing development. 
• Coordinate with ARCH staff responsible for administering local funding programs to position projects for local, county and state investment.

Planning and Technical Assistance

• Conduct and/or provide advice on economic and policy analysis to inform local zoning and incentive strategies to produce affordable housing.
• Facilitate regional discussions and strategies to advance collective development opportunities that result in building affordable housing faster.
• Provide technical assistance to faith communities, nonprofits and other community-based organizations seeking to develop or partner on affordable housing projects. 

Support ARCH Investment Programs

• Work with the ARCH Investments Manager to pursue external partnerships and champion affordable housing investments.
• Engage with public and private financial institutions to attract increased investment in affordable housing in East King County.

• Draft and negotiate funding and related agreements for special projects and oversee contracts.

• Prepare and make presentations to city councils and other audiences.
• Represent ARCH cities in local, regional and State committees and work groups and maintain strong relationships with diverse partners, including nonprofit and for-profit housing providers, and city executive, finance, and legal services staff.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

This position requires a diverse set of skills that may be demonstrated from a combination of education and work experience, including:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as finance, business, public administration, accounting, real estate development, urban planning, etc.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field is a plus
• Five or more years of work experience in a relevant field, including but not limited to lending, finance, contracts, land use, or real estate development

• We are open to hiring candidates with three or more years of experience at a more junior level.

• Alternatively, an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required mix of knowledge, skills and abilities. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

• Expertise in real estate development and affordable housing finance
• Knowledge of related fields such as lending/investing, property appraisal, market analysis, design/architecture/engineering, construction management, etc.
• Knowledge of affordable housing funding sources and programs, including Low Income Housing Tax Credits and tax-exempt bond programs 
• Knowledge of urban planning community development, and regulatory frameworks for development of housing, including land use and building codes
• Project management techniques and ability to apply those to complex projects
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences
• Ability to develop legal agreements from contract boilerplates

• Experience building strong relationships with customers, colleagues and the public
• A demonstrated commitment to creating diverse, equitable communities

Salary : $104,225 - $143,865