Vice President of Real Estate and Development

The Vice President of Real Estate and Community Development will lead strategic initiatives for the development, redevelopment and implementation of real estate transactions that align with the mission of Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority (RRHA) to provide affordable, quality housing and promote sustainable community development. This position, under the general supervision of the SVP, is responsible for professional and managerial work as it relates to real estate and development/redevelopment projects and activities, including property acquisition and disposition, construction and/or rehabilitation efforts, etc.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be required and assigned, as needed.

Strategic Leadership:

• Collaborate with the SVP to develop and successfully implement the RRHAs strategic goals related to real estate and community development.
• Successfully manage the department's real estate development/redevelopment staff. Coaches, guides and develops employees to achieve desired results. Evaluates employee performance and provides continuous feedback.
• Provide leadership, along with the SVP, in identifying and pursuing new opportunities for housing development, including partnerships with public and private stakeholders.

Real Estate Development:

• Oversee the planning, design, financing, and execution of real estate projects from inception to completion. Directs and manages mixed-income and mixed-use real estate development.
• Prepare accurate project development and construction budgets, and operating pro forma, as well as evaluate housing market studies, development proposals, environmental reports, real estate appraisals and financing proposals.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including zoning and funding requirements.
• Work closely with the City of Richmond, Virginia Housing, Virginia State Department of Housing & Community Development Department, and other partners and community stakeholders, as well as RRHA consultants in implementing, as applicable, CHOICE Neighborhood Planning and Implementation Grants, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) projects, and other applicable funding programs for redevelopment, development, and revitalization activities.
• Manage designated RRHA-owned real estate and ensure proper asset management of such properties. In addition, identifies properties for acquisition for the purpose of development, redevelopment, or community revitalization, performs due diligence activities, and recommends acquisition of properties.
• Along with the Vice President of the HCV Program, develop and/or revise the RFP for developer proposals and implement an annual cycle awarding for Project-Based Vouchers as it relates to the enhancement of affordable housing options within the City of Richmond and as applicable to any real estate development projects sponsored by RRHA's RDC.
• Assist with the development of regional affordable housing projects sponsored by RRHA's RDC.

Community Engagement:

• Develop and maintain relationships with funders, developers, community organizations, residents, applicable City, County and State staff, and other stakeholders to foster collaboration and ensure community needs are met.
• Working in concert with RRHA's Communication Department, organize public outreach initiatives and community meetings to gather input and feedback on real estate and other applicable housing projects.
• Represents the agency, as requested by the SVP, at Richmond City Council meetings, work sessions, public hearings and meetings with state, federal and local officials. Serves as a member of external and internal committees, commissions and task forces

Financial Management:

• Prepare and manage the budget for real estate projects, ensuring financial viability and sustainability. Also assist the SVP with the preparation of the overall departmental budget.
• In collaboration with the SVP, identify and secure funding sources, including grants, loans, and partnerships, to support RRHA's affordable housing initiatives.

Procurement/Contract Management

Ensures that RFPs, RFQs, proposals and contracts are aligned with the agency's strategic plan and the City's master plan. .

• Ensure that all contracts related to real estate transactions are procured according to RRHA procurement requirements.
• Performs contract administration. Ensures management oversight of the work of vendors, consultants, development partners and contractors as it relates to real estate transactions and development/redevelopment activities.
• Work with the Real Estate Specialist to ensure that the required ledger and spreadsheets are properly maintained regarding contract amounts, payments made, and balances , etc.

Policy Development:

• Advocate for policies and practices that promote affordable housing and community development at local, state, and federal levels.
• Monitor housing industry trends, best practices and changes, as well as new federal or state regulations that may impact RRHA's redevelopment/development efforts and ability to remain competitive in the market.

Reporting and Analysis:

• Assist the SVP in the creation of all reports relating to real estate projects for dissemination to the CEO, COO, RRHA's Real Estate Board Committee and Board of Commissioners, as well as HUD and other applicable funders. As assigned by the SVP, make applicable presentations to all applicable RRHA staff, Real Estate Committee members, as well as RRHA's Board of Directors on projects progress, community impacts, and strategic recommendations.
• Utilize data and analysis to inform decision-making and improve RRHA's real estate development/redevelopment efforts.
• Ensure that the real estate staff is maintaining applicable data, project reports, etc., based on departmental SOPs.

Performs other related duties, responsibilities and tasks as required/assigned.

Behavioral Competencies

This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills:

Job Knowledge:

• Shares new ideas and perspectives to adjust Authority strategies
• Recognizes situations and resources to create desired impact and maximize successful outcomes
• Contributes to shaping Authority practices and policies
• Demonstrates ability to develop sound solutions based upon a mixture of analysis and experience
• Develops others for the future needs of the organization

Customer Service:

• Keeps abreast of the industry and related organizations, proactively identifies and builds relationships that could lead to future organization opportunities
• Maintains knowledge about related organizations and leverages that knowledge to help the Authority
• Works with others to understand what matters most to clients and how to respond
• Takes risks as required to build high-trust environments (e.g. requests and offers difficult feedback)
• Leads the team in understanding and applying client feedback
• Builds relationships beyond individual, team, project, or department needs

Effective Communication:

• Communicates complex issues clearly and credibly with widely varied audiences
• Uses communication skills to resolve differences and arrive at the best course of action, when there are conflicting sources of information
• Communicates complex technical information in a business context
• Authors persuasive documents for senior audiences

Initiative:

• Regularly evaluates the effectiveness of team-based improvements using predetermined measures and criteria
• Implements new methods, processes, tools, and/or techniques by helping to eliminate internal and external barriers
• Creates a work environment conducive to improving programs and services
• Champions new and alternative approaches to improving programs and services
• Sets challenging goals for department in relation to organizational opportunities

Responsiveness and Accountability:

• Fosters a sense of urgency, ownership, and personal commitment in and across the department
• Is transparent about the department's goals and provides staff with timely information on progress and outcomes
• Creates an environment where honesty, integrity, and personal accountability are rewarded

Teamwork:

• Creates an inclusive work environment by valuing the ideas and opinions of those inside and outside of the team
• Proactively shares information about recent decisions and future changes across departments
• Creates an environment where others are encouraged and rewarded for working across departments
• Seeks and accepts resources from other departments to accomplish objectives, when needed

Job Competencies

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong financial acumen and experience with budget creation and management.
• Familiarity with community organizing and engagement strategies.
• Proficient in project management software and real estate analysis tools.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience: (The following requirements may be used to evaluate applicants for employment. When applicable, equivalent substitution will be allowed for differences in experience and education.)

Education: Master's degree in Real Estate Development, Public Administration, or a related field.

Minimum of seven years of experience in real estate development, affordable housing development or community development.

Experience: Four (4) or more years of demonstrated experience with mixed-use financing programs. Proven track record of managing complex real estate projects and leading cross-functional teams.

Strong, demonstrable knowledge of housing policies, regulations, and funding mechanisms (including LIHTC, bonds, HOME, CDBG, etc.). Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. Ability to engage effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders.

Strength Requirements

Sedentary Work: Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs may be defined as Sedentary when walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other Sedentary criteria are met. Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This is an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.