Housing Development Associate II

CommonBond Communities•Saint Paul, MN

7d•$81,000 - $85,000

About The Position

Under the direction of the Director of Acquisitions & Development and other senior A&D staff, the Housing Development Associate II supports and manages key aspects of affordable housing development projects, including new construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, preservation, and recapitalization. The Associate II independently manages defined components of complex projects and may lead lower-complexity projects with oversight from a Senior Project Manager or Director. The role includes project coordination, financial analysis, due diligence, financing and funding activities, construction coordination, and resident engagement, in collaboration with internal departments and external development partners. The position provides project management and development support to Project Managers and Directors and takes direct responsibility for assigned activities and lower-complexity projects. It conducts due diligence, prepares financial analyses and funding applications, coordinates internal and external project teams, manages schedules and budgets, supports financing and closings, and maintains project records and reporting. It also leads or coordinates resident communication and engagement for assigned rehabilitation and construction projects, helping address resident concerns, relocations, accessibility needs, and construction impacts. The Associate provides construction-related coordination with the Owner’s Representative, CommonBond Project Managers, General Contractors, and other partners. Responsibilities include monitoring schedules, budgets, and issues; participating in meetings, walk-throughs, and inspections; reviewing construction draws; coordinating change orders and closeout; and supporting lease-up, equity installments, tax credit reporting, and transition to ongoing operations and Asset Management. The role also evaluates opportunities, contributes to process improvements, supports less-experienced staff as appropriate, and manages competing priorities across multiple projects.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree emphasizing real estate, urban planning, business administration, finance, public administration, political science, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
At least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in real estate development, affordable housing, construction, project management, finance, planning, community development, or a related field.
Strong research and analytical ability, including identifying issues and risks and developing and communicating recommendations.
Strong financial and analytical skills, including experience preparing or reviewing development budgets, operating pro formas, sources and uses, and other real estate financial analyses.
Ability to interpret and implement requirements of municipal, state, and federal agencies, lenders, investors, and affordable housing programs.
Working knowledge of real estate development and finance concepts, including debt, equity, tax credits, public funding, and other affordable housing financing tools.
Strong project management skills and demonstrated ability to independently manage significant responsibilities, competing priorities, schedules, and deadlines.
Ability to identify project issues, evaluate solutions, exercise sound judgment, and determine when issues require escalation or additional guidance.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively and professionally with residents, staff, contractors, architects, attorneys, lenders, investors, funders, community representatives, elected and appointed officials, government agencies, and other project partners.
Ability to coordinate across internal departments and external organizations and move work forward when responsibilities and decisions involve multiple parties.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to explain complex project and financial information clearly to different audiences.
Ability to work independently, establish priorities, anticipate next steps, and follow through with limited day-to-day supervision.
Ability to approach resident and community interactions with professionalism, respect, responsiveness, sound judgment, and cultural awareness.
Access to reliable transportation.
Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time, including occasional overnight travel.
Willingness and ability to attend city council, planning commission, neighborhood, community, resident, and other meetings that may be scheduled in the evening.
Ability to sit for extended periods, open and close file drawers, lift and carry up to 15 pounds, file documents, and type data into a computer.

Nice To Haves

Affordable multifamily housing development experience, including experience with Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and other public or private affordable housing financing programs.
Experience with MS Project or other project management tools.

Responsibilities

Conduct and coordinate site and project due diligence, including highest and best use analysis, development feasibility, planning and zoning reviews, and review of legal, environmental, market, physical-needs, and other project information.
Prepare and maintain development budgets, operating pro formas, working capital needs, sources and uses, multi-year cash flow projections, and other project financial models.
Coordinate input from internal departments throughout project planning and implementation.
Prepare and submit funding applications to state, local, federal, and other funding providers, coordinating required information and deadlines.
Prepare project approval memos, financial analyses, presentations, and supporting materials, and present project information and recommendations for internal review and approval.
Participate in and, as appropriate, lead meetings with city staff, elected officials, neighborhood groups, community organizations, funders, and other stakeholders.
Lead or coordinate community and resident engagement activities for assigned projects.
Coordinate development teams that may include the owner, architect, general contractor, attorney, lenders, investors, consultants, internal staff, and public funding partners.
Support and, as assigned, lead components of debt and equity financing, including due diligence, financing applications, document review, closing requirements, and project closings.
Manage assigned project schedules, budgets, deliverables, and deadlines, and identify issues affecting cost, schedule, financing, or implementation.
Maintain project records and prepare project updates, presentations, briefing materials, and status reports for internal and external audiences.
Manage lower-complexity development, acquisition, rehabilitation, or recapitalization projects with oversight from a Senior Project Manager or Director.
Develop and coordinate resident communication plans, including notices, construction updates, resident meetings, and accessible and translated materials.
Serve as a primary development team contact for resident questions and concerns related to construction, documenting and escalating issues and following through to resolution.
Coordinate with project partners to anticipate resident impacts, address concerns, and minimize construction-related disruptions.
Coordinate resident relocations and temporary accommodations when required, including schedules, notices, reimbursements, documentation, and communications.
Identify accessibility needs, safety concerns, and other resident issues requiring attention, and coordinate appropriate responses and accommodations.
Help ensure project activities comply with resident notice, privacy, access, relocation, and other requirements.
Identify recurring resident concerns and construction impacts and work with the project team to develop solutions and improve coordination.
Monitor construction schedules, milestones, budgets, and outstanding issues with the Owner’s Representative and Project Manager.
Participate in construction meetings, project walk-throughs, inspections, and other construction activities, representing CommonBond on assigned matters as appropriate.
Coordinate information, decisions, and follow-up among project partners, including the Owner’s Representative, Project Manager, General Contractor, architect, consultants, and Property Management.
Review and process construction draws and monitor development and construction expenditures against approved budgets.
Track construction issues, change orders, outstanding decisions, and completion items, and facilitate timely resolution with project partners.
Assist with review and coordination of project changes affecting budget, schedule, resident impact, or scope, and escalate significant issues as appropriate.
Coordinate project closeout, including completion and punch-list tracking, turnover to Property Management, warranties, project documentation, and other required items.
Manage post-construction activities, including monitoring lease-up, coordinating equity installments, completing initial tax credit reporting requirements, and supporting transition to operations and Asset Management.
Assess proposed projects and opportunities against CommonBond’s project selection criteria, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend next steps.
Support the Director and Project Managers in evaluating development, acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation, and recapitalization opportunities.
Participate in networking organizations, conferences, industry events, and community meetings to maintain affordable housing relationships and expand knowledge of industry practices and programs.
Maintain accurate and timely reporting of project status, financial information, schedules, risks, and other A&D department information.
Identify and help implement improvements to internal tools, processes, project management practices, and cross-departmental coordination.
Provide guidance and support to less-experienced team members on project processes, tools, and assigned activities as appropriate.
Prioritize workload and independently manage activities and deadlines across multiple projects.
Complete other related projects and duties as assigned.