Director of Development

Rockford Housing Authority
Job Description

Director of Development

SALARY LEVEL: Exempt
SALARY RANGE: Baseline based on experience starting at 91,000
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Development
SUPERVISOR: Chief Executive Officer or Designee

ORGANIZATION:

The Rockford Housing Authority (RHA) is a municipal corporation governed by a Board of Commissioners who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Rockford. The RHA employs a staff of approximately 64 personnel who perform a variety of functions necessary to service its residents and maintain its housing stock. RHA currently administers 1,106 Public Housing units and 1,669 Housing Choice Voucher units. Additionally, RHA operates Bridge Rockford Alliance, Inc., a 501(C)(3) HUD- recognized instrumentality.
RHA's mission is to continue to create strategic partnerships with community stakeholders, design a diverse housing portfolio, and leverage social service programming to unite and ensure residents are provided with safe and nurturing environments that lead to self-sufficiency, responsibility, and individual empowerment.
The Rockford Housing Authority has historically served the housing needs of persons whose income is low and very low through HUD-funded Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) housing. To meet the long-term needs of our community, RHA is working to modernize its aging Public Housing portfolio to become the leading provider of mixed-income affordable housing in the City of Rockford. This transition involves the development and acquisition of new housing properties, coordinated with the disposition, demolition, redevelopment, or conversion of obsolete developments that no longer meet viability and community standards. RHA is expanding its in-house development capacity to execute this crucial portfolio modernization.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead RHA's housing modernization initiative and Development Department and participate in RHA's Leadership Team;
Plan and execute housing development projects in the City of Rockford, IL including new construction projects, resulting in the modernization, expansion, long term financial stability and affordability of the RHA housing portfolio;
Implement housing development projects utilizing a variety of public and private funding sources in compliance with applicable governmental and program standards and regulations (i.e. HUD);
Evaluate, negotiate, and lead real estate partnerships and joint venture opportunities with private and public partners;
Communicate project concepts and progress updates to RHA Board of Commissioners and personnel and obtain Board approvals;

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.Leads the RHA Development Department's operations and staff, including modernization and Repositioning activities;

2.Develops short- and long-term goals and objectives for RHA's portfolio modernization initiative;

3.Executes the development process including evaluating existing RHA portfolio and available funding resources (i.e. various affordable housing, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and economic development program funding programs), developing concept plans, preparing pro forma financial models, identifying and obtaining feasible sources of debt and tax credit equity financing, estimating project timeline and construction costs, supporting the evaluation and selection of external development team members including architects and engineers, making applications for various funding programs, obtaining necessary approvals and building permits, development project management; and any other activities necessary to support the execution of RHA's portfolio modernization;

4.Drafts project Scopes of Work and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) including for architectural/engineering work;

5.Coordinates and schedules all phases of modernization work with RHA personnel, residents, contractors, consultants, private agencies, local, state and federal representatives;
6.Provides in-house technical expertise, advice and assistance on real estate development, project finance, building design and construction to RHA personnel in support of modernization work;

7.Responsible for achieving project compliance with applicable local, state and federal regulations and funding program requirements;

8.With support of Development Department staff, responsible for ensuring the timely preparation of the following HUD-required documents:
•Comprehensive plan under the Comprehensive Grant Program;
•Various project physical needs assessments and viability reviews;
•Management Needs Assessment;
•HUD 5 Year Plan (portions related to development);

9.Responsible for maintaining proficiency with relevant local, state and federal codes, ordinances, rules and regulations governing construction, EEO and labor practices, especially those set forth by HUD;

10.Participates in internal Leadership Team and internal committees (i.e. revenue growth committee) and supports development of RHA's Annual and Strategic Plans.

11.Works from RHA's office in downtown Rockford, IL;

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1.5 years experience in housing development, real estate development or construction management roles; project leadership experience preferred;

2.2 years of personnel management and budgeting experience;

3.Bachelor's degree: major in real estate, business, construction management, architecture, engineering or related field preferred;

4.2 years experience working under a governing Board, such as a Board of Directors (this qualification may be met via volunteer or professional work);

5.Experience evaluating project financing opportunities (i.e. public and private loan programs and grants, equity investment including tax credit equity) and securing appropriate project financing;

6.Experience working with affordable housing funding programs preferred (i.e. HUD, LIHTC);

7.Able to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications and contract documents;

8.Entrepreneurial sensibility and strong capacity to set goals, plan and work independently;

9.Excellent interpersonal skills including experience presenting to groups (i.e. local Planning Commission) and obtaining approvals;

10.Skilled in managing multiple priorities and demonstrated ability to meet goals and objectives;

11.Working knowledge of building practices, construction techniques and relevant building codes, regulations and quality standards;

12.High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Excel;

13.Ability to utilize various software programs including PIC/HIP, EPIC, LCPtracker, construction management software packages;

14.Must possess a valid driver's license, be insurable by RHA and able to provide personal transportation as needed to perform duties (reimbursement will be made per RHA Travel Policy).

SCOPE OF AUTHORITY:

Direct supervision of the development staff, RHA employees and contractual workers, assign work and provide direction in carrying out responsibilities, as it relates to the development department.
Contract and project management for selected agencies and projects.

COMMUNICATION:

All communication will follow the guidelines set forth in the current Rockford Housing Authority's communication plan.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This role is based at RHA's offices in downtown Rockford, IL. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations for persons with known disabling condition will be considered in accordance with State and Federal law.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, extreme heat, and risk of electrical shock.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note, this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Related duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO POLICY:

The Rockford Housing Authority does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on account of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, political or union affiliation nor any type of unlawful discrimination prohibited by applicable State and Federal laws. It is the policy of the Employer to take affirmative action to encourage and foster employment of minorities, women and disabled persons.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Salary level: Starting salary commensurate with experience.
Benefit package includes paid holidays, annual, sick and personal leave, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, and relocation allowance. In addition, RHA offers short- and long-term disability, educational assistance, and retirement benefits.

All positions with the Rockford Housing Authority require a valid State of Illinois driver's license. If you are relocating from another state, a valid driver's license from your current state will be accepted temporarily. However, in accordance with Illinois state law, you must obtain a valid Illinois driver's license within 90 days of establishing residency.

Salary : $91,000 - $112,000