Project Director, Housing Development
About The Position
The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities. Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with close to $90 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 14,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. The Fortune Society (Fortune) is looking for a Project Director to join our housing development team. The Project Director will bring management experience and skills in addition to having expertise and interest in affordable, supportive and transitional housing development: from land acquisition to construction financing, construction management, leasing and permanent financing and the procurement of service dollars. The Project Director shall possess the following core competencies which are key to the fulfillment of the requirements for the position: Mission and Fit: The Project Director must embody the values and mission of the Fortune Society. This includes meeting our participants where they are in the re-entry process, demonstrating our values through compassion and understanding; and affirming that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done. Organizational Skills The Project Director must be a highly-organized and effective documentarian. This individual is charged with the management and oversight of Fortune’s property development projects. Adaptive Capacity The Project Director must be adaptive and proactive in the management of revolving/competing deadlines and must be anticipatory and efficient in response to the unpredictable nature of the work. Analysis The Project Director must have strong analytical skills, a comfort with working with data and the ability to incorporate data into analyses and recommendations provided to Fortune Senior Leadership.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred
- Minimum 4 years of experience in affordable housing, development or a related field
- Strong supervisory and leadership skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
- Responsiveness and an ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Familiarity with affordable and supportive housing financing and service programs
- Experience working with New York State and City governmental entities
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Outstanding interpersonal and negotiation skills
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Strong MS Office Skills – focus on Excel
Responsibilities
- Initiate and manage housing and other site development projects across all stages of development (pre-development, construction, building opening, and permanent conversion).
- Work with governmental agencies, financial institutions, and community organizations to seek partnerships and development opportunities.
- Perform real estate project development tasks, including working with consultants as needed, to identify development opportunities and provide feasibility analysis and recommendations to the Chief Strategy Officer, Vice-President of Agency Operations, President/CEO, and Deputy CEO.
- Assist in the completion of responses to Requests for Proposals and Requests for Qualifications.
- Assist in creation of pro-formas for Fortune Real Estate Development Projects.
- Research and identify funding sources, including work on financial underwriting, and assist in the completion of financing applications for HPD, HCR, HFA, HHAP, Reso A etc. in coordination with the Chief Strategy Officer, CEO, Deputy CEO, CFO, Chief Development Officer, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel.
- Research and identify funding sources for the provision of supportive services for Fortune real estate projects and assist in the completion of applications (ESSHI, NYNY 15/15 etc.)
- Coordinate the submission of due diligence materials to government agencies, lenders and investors
- Coordinate the work of all third-party consultants on assigned projects (project consultants, attorney, architect, environmental consultant, general contractor etc.)
- Represent Fortune in meetings with owners, funders, and other key stakeholders.
- Keep the Fortune Executive Leadership Team apprised of key construction milestones, potential delays and relevant unexpected field conditions and expenses.
- Work with the senior management team to bring new projects online, collaborating with the Chief Program Officer, Vice-President of Housing, Program Directors, and AVP of Facilities to ensure successful start-ups and transitions to operations.
- Develop systems to more efficiently coordinate the site development process within and outside of Fortune.
- Perform other duties as assigned
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
