Housing Director/Senior Director

Harris & Associates•Irvine, CA

3d•$175 - $205•Hybrid

About The Position

Our Community Development + Housing team partners with municipalities to plan, analyze, and implement solutions that strengthen communities. We provide end-to-end support—from policy development and financial feasibility analysis to funding acquisition and project implementation—helping clients identify the strategies, programs, and investments that will have the greatest impact. Our work includes: Housing planning for market-rate and affordable housing, including housing strategies and implementation support Community development planning and advisory services Financial and economic analysis for residential development Grant writing and grant administration Research and policy analysis to support housing and development initiatives We are seeking a Director or Senior Director to join and help lead our Community Development + Housing Consulting team. This role serves as a senior strategic advisor to public-sector clients advancing affordable housing production and preservation, homelessness solutions, and long-term community sustainability. The Director/Senior Director will play a key leadership role within the practice, providing technical direction, strategic oversight, and professional judgment across a portfolio of complex housing and planning initiatives. In close partnership with the Team Lead, this individual will help shape team operations, strengthen client relationships, and drive business development and growth. This role supports a broad range of services, including housing and homelessness strategies, General Plan Housing Elements, Consolidated Plans, affordable housing finance and implementation programs, and related policy and regulatory frameworks. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in California’s statutory, regulatory, and housing finance environment, along with strong client credibility and the ability to operate at both a strategic and hands-on level when needed.

Requirements

Advanced degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Housing Policy, Real Estate, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
Minimum 5+ years in a senior leadership or management role providing consulting services in housing policy, housing finance, planning, and/or homelessness strategies for public-sector clients.
Demonstrated expertise in housing strategy development and implementation, including General Plans and Housing Elements, Specific Plans, Consolidated Plans, homelessness and supportive housing strategies, and related policy and regulatory frameworks.
Strong working knowledge of affordable housing finance, including funding programs, underwriting considerations, developer solicitations and negotiations, and compliance requirements.
Proven ability to provide portfolio-level technical direction and independent judgment across complex, high-impact projects.
Experience serving as a trusted advisor to elected officials, senior staff, boards, and commissions.
Demonstrated success in business development, including leading proposals, pricing strategies, and interviews.
Experience recruiting, supervising, and mentoring professional staff, including performance management and technical oversight.
Established professional relationships within California (and ideally other western states) with the ability to leverage those relationships to support project success and firm growth.
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex housing, planning, and financial concepts to diverse audiences.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, with experience in financial modeling and housing-related data analysis.
Sound judgment, independence, and a consistent track record of delivering high-quality work.
Willingness to travel within California.
Alignment with Harris’ Purpose, Vision, and Shared Values.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to public-sector clients, delivering clear, actionable solutions aligned with their goals.
Cultivate and expand client relationships to drive business development, revenue growth, and long-term partnerships.
Lead complex, multi-disciplinary projects and programs, ensuring quality, consistency, and timely delivery across multiple concurrent engagements.
Provide portfolio-level oversight, monitoring scope, schedules, budgets, and financial performance while proactively managing risk.
Establish and uphold team-wide QA/QC standards and efficient workflows to maintain high-quality work products.
Partner with the Team Lead to guide team operations, including resource planning, workload management, staffing strategy, and internal representation.
Recruit, mentor, and develop staff, fostering professional growth, performance excellence, and a collaborative team culture.
Lead major pursuits, including proposal strategy, pricing and staffing assumptions, and interview preparation, to secure new work and ensure sustainable growth.
Monitor industry trends, policy developments, and emerging funding opportunities to inform client strategies and service offerings.
Represent the firm externally through professional leadership, industry engagement, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.