JOB TITLE: Real Estate Development Director FLSA STATUS: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Development EEO:
REPORTS TO: Executive Director PREPARED DATE: 8/17/2026
Position Summary
The Real Estate Development Director is responsible for leading and managing a portfolio of affordable housing real estate development projects, including new construction, substantial rehabilitation, and major capital improvement initiatives. This position oversees all phases of the development process, from site acquisition and feasibility analysis through financing, design, construction, lease-up, and project closeout.
Provides strategic leadership and project management to ensure developments are completed on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with applicable regulations and organizational objectives. The position requires extensive experience with underwriting and financing affordable housing projects, low-income tax-credits, residential real estate development, along with strong financial, organizational, and leadership skills.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Real Estate Development
- Lead multiple affordable housing real estate development projects simultaneously, including developing financing for large construction projects, new construction, substantial rehabilitation, redevelopment, and major capital projects.
- Oversee all stages of project development, including site identification, acquisition, due diligence, underwriting, financing, design, permitting, construction, lease-up, occupancy, and project stabilization.
- Evaluate development opportunities and conduct financial feasibility analyses to support investment and development decisions.
- Negotiate and manage land acquisitions, purchase agreements, development agreements, and other real estate transactions.
- Coordinate project schedules and development milestones to ensure timely completion of projects.
Financial Management
- Prepare, analyze, and manage large, complex development budgets, and competitive funding applications for Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program.
- Develop and oversee project financing strategies, including debt, equity, grants, tax credits, and other funding sources ensuring strict compliance of Authority programs with federal, state, and local regulations, including those issued by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. (HUD)
- Monitor project expenditures and financial performance to ensure compliance with approved budgets and funding requirements.
- Prepare financial reports, budget forecasts, funding applications, and project updates for senior leadership, lenders, investors, and governing boards.
- Develops and Monitors Capital Program budgets.
Project Management and Construction Oversight
- Direct project planning activities and oversee pre-development and construction processes.
- Coordinate and manage architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, and other project stakeholders.
- Review architectural plans, engineering reports, specifications, and construction contracts.
- Monitor construction progress, budgets, schedules, quality standards, and regulatory compliance.
- Resolve project issues and facilitate collaboration among project team members.
- Inspection of projects to ensure 100% completion of work and 100% compliance with specifications and regulations of governing authorities.
- Prepares and maintains weekly production project reports.
- Maintains 100% accurate records and unit files for each project.
- Follow-up on all inquiries within one business day.
Contract and Compliance Administration
- Administer contracts and professional service agreements related to development activities.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, funding requirements, and organizational policies.
- Work closely with legal counsel on development agreements, land purchase contracts, regulatory matters, and risk management issues.
- Oversee permitting, zoning approvals, environmental assessments, and other regulatory requirements.
Leadership and Staff Management
- Supervise, mentor, and evaluate development staff and project managers.
- Establish departmental goals, priorities, and performance standards.
- Foster a collaborative, results-oriented work environment.
- Provide leadership and strategic direction for organizational development initiatives and long-range planning efforts.
- Use and promote safe work practices in the office and in the field.
- Follow all company safety programs and report any non-compliance to your manager.
Stakeholder Relations
- Serve as the primary liaison with public agencies, financial institutions, investors, community organizations, consultants, and project partners.
- Represent the organization at meetings, public hearings, community presentations, and industry events.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and funding partners.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge and experience with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) policies and programs.
- Knowledge and experience with HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration Program (RAD) and other repositing Strategies.
- Comprehensive knowledge of real estate development principles, practices, and financing structures.
- Strong understanding of land acquisition, land purchase contracts, due diligence, zoning, entitlements, and project planning.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex development projects simultaneously.
- Advanced financial management and analytical skills, including preparation of detailed development budgets and pro formas.
- Knowledge of construction management, project scheduling, and contract administration.
- Ability to coordinate and manage architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, and legal counsel.
- Exceptional organizational, planning, project management, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong negotiation, communication, and presentation abilities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and real estate development financial software.
- Ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Knowledge of the relationship between the Authority and federal, state, and local jurisdictions and their abilities to provide funds or other support to the Authority and to develop and maintain affordable housing.
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.
- Working 40 hours/week, scheduled in 8 hour shifts.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to operate computer keyboard and telephone.
- The employee frequently is required to sit.
- The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
- The employee is occasionally required to bend, carry, and kneel.
- The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in real estate development (preferred), Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
Experience
- Ability to build, structure, and analyze financial models that are beyond basic spreadsheet forecasting.
- Minimum of 5 years’ affordable housing property development experience with supervising, project leadership and managing projects.
- Demonstrated experience managing large-scale affordable housing or new construction, substantial rehabilitation, and capital improvement projects.
- Experience coordinating underwriting and financing, project teams, and regulatory approvals preferred.
- Experience with Green Building Practices and Affordable Housing Programs.
- Excellent written and oral communication. Interaction with various officials, community groups.
Working Conditions
- Work is primarily performed in an office environment with periodic travel to project sites, public meetings, and stakeholder events.
- May require attendance at evening meetings and occasional work beyond regular business hours to meet project deadlines.
BUSINESS BEHAVIOR / ANTI-TRUST:
Do not discuss with competition (includes other housing authorities without manager’s consent):
- WHA price, costs, profits, or terms of sale
- Person or companies with whom Wilmington Housing Authority will or will not do business
- Geographical areas of operations
CONFIDENTIALITY / CONDUCT:
- May not divulge any confidential personnel/corporate policy.
- Will not engage in gossip or other unprofessional conduct
- May not make changes in their Job Description, Standards of Performance or quarterly objectives.
This position plays a critical role in advancing the organization's real estate development initiatives and ensuring successful project delivery through strategic planning, financial oversight, and effective leadership. Other responsibilities may be assigned.
I agree to perform the above-mentioned duties while upholding our company values.
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Pay: $110,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
