VP Real Estate Development

LaCasa • Goshen, IN

22h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Vice President of Real Estate Development is a member of Lacasa’s Leadership Team and leads the organization’s real estate development strategy and portfolio. The role oversees the full development life cycle, from project conceptualization, feasibility, acquisition, financing, design, and construction through closeout and transition to asset management or disposition. The VP advances community-centered development, builds relationships with public and private partners, manages risk, and aligns development activities with organizational strategy and long-term sustainability.

The VP directly supervises the Real Estate Development Team and is accountable for departmental budgets, operating plans, performance metrics, resource allocation, and team development. The position also provides strategic oversight of the Owner-Occupied Repair Program and other housing rehabilitation initiatives, and collaborates with Asset Management and internal stakeholders to support effective operations and housing dispositions.

This full-time, 40-hour-per-week position reports to the President/CEO. Work is hybrid, combining an office environment with travel to development sites. The role requires travel around Elkhart County, occasional travel for training and stakeholder meetings, and regular exposure to active construction sites. The employee must provide an employee-owned cell phone; Lacasa provides a monthly allowance. A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation are required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, urban planning, construction management, or a related field, or an acceptable combination of education and progressively responsible experience demonstrating the required knowledge, financial acumen, judgment, and leadership capability.
• At least five years of real estate development experience, including site acquisition, project financing, design, construction, and zoning.
• Proven success managing multiple concurrent projects at different development stages.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex capital projects.
• Experience in senior leadership roles focused on operations, strategy, and organizational management.
• Experience working with government entities, lenders, and other development partners.
• Experience with environmental reviews and sustainability or green-building practices.
• Successful track record closing complex real estate transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and foster a collaborative, values-driven culture.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Proficiency in project and construction management software.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, including the ability to synthesize complex data and guide long-term planning and decisions.
• Strong leadership presence and ability to inspire, develop, and retain a high-performing team.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to explain financial concepts clearly.
• Ability to collaborate across departments and work with people from diverse backgrounds and roles.
• Ability to deliver projects that meet or exceed financial performance targets, including ROI, P&L, and cost-containment targets.
• Dependability and flexibility to adapt to changing organizational needs.
• Ability to manage construction quality, safety compliance, and risk mitigation effectively.
• Adaptability, a solutions-focused approach, and initiative in identifying operational improvements and advancing the organization’s mission.
• Ability to oversee budgets, forecasting, and financial reporting effectively.
• Ability to maintain a positive and professional image with staff, clients, and external stakeholders.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to traverse properties and facilities to assess building and construction progress; perform periods of sitting, standing, walking, and stair climbing; and occasionally lift or move items up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to communicate clearly in office and construction environments and use a computer frequently.

Nice To Haves

• Background in affordable housing development, such as LIHTC, HOME, or CDBG.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute short- and long-range real estate development portfolio plans aligned with the organization’s mission, impact goals, and growth targets.
• Contribute to organizational business, financial, and operational strategies, and align development activities with organizational priorities and long-term sustainability.
• Lead departmental budgets, annual operating plans, performance metrics, and resource allocation.
• Guide development pipeline planning, site selection, acquisitions, and investment decisions.
• Integrate real estate development, financial planning, and community development strategies to improve portfolio performance.
• Identify opportunities to diversify funding, strengthen financial returns, leverage investment, and expand community impact.
• Lead annual and multi-year capital planning with Finance and Asset Management.
• Attract, develop, coach, and retain a high-performing team; establish expectations and development plans, and conduct ongoing coaching and performance management.
• Promote communication and coordination within the Real Estate Development Team and across departments.
• Ensure staff follow safety protocols, construction-site requirements, organizational policies, and applicable regulatory codes.
• Provide executive oversight of development projects from concept through construction closeout, including feasibility, acquisition, financing, design, and construction.
• Establish and improve project policies and management standards for efficiency, accountability, compliance, and consistent outcomes.
• Represent the organization and manage relationships with development partners, investors, agencies, architects, engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Assess project risks and implement mitigation strategies addressing organizational assets and legal, environmental, financial, and safety requirements.
• Oversee compliance with federal, state, and local funding requirements, environmental reviews, grant regulations, and development standards.
• Direct relationships with contractors, consultants, vendors, and professional service providers to keep projects on schedule, within budget, and aligned with quality standards.
• Work with municipal agencies, elected officials, and community stakeholders to secure zoning approvals, entitlements, incentives, and other development approvals.
• Oversee development procurement in accordance with organizational policies, funding requirements, and budgets.
• Participate in acquisition and disposition activities, including due diligence, financial evaluation, negotiations, and closings.
• Lead portfolio sustainability initiatives, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, resiliency planning, and environmentally responsible construction.
• Provide strategic oversight of the Owner-Occupied Repair Program and other housing rehabilitation initiatives, ensuring effective operations, compliance, measurable outcomes, and customer service.
• Coordinate with Asset Management to support transitions from development to long-term operations, including documentation, timelines, compliance, and performance expectations.
• Coordinate with Financial Empowerment and other stakeholders on marketing, client engagement, and disposition strategies for for-sale housing inventory.
• Participate in staff, leadership, board, annual, community, and professional meetings and training as directed; complete required training and continuing education.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Nine paid holidays.
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• Vacation and sick time.
• Health Savings Account; contributions depend on the selected medical coverage.
• Life insurance paid for by Lacasa.
• 403(b) retirement plan; Lacasa contributes 3% of salary after the initial 90-day period, and beginning in the second year matches voluntary contributions of regular full-time employees.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Monthly allowance for employee-owned cell phone expenses.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive