The Chief Development Officer (CDO) has the overall responsibility for managing the operations and administration of the Real Estate Development Department. Critical functions of this position include real estate development, multi-family design, construction, finance, program administration and federal, state and municipal regulatory compliance. Provides leadership and direction in the Strategic Asset Model (SAM) and increasing operational effectiveness and efficiency due to an ongoing and changing regulatory environment in order to develop affordable housing and be responsive to community affordable housing needs. As part of a team, negotiates development, regulatory and operating agreements on behalf of the Housing Authority. Coordinates assigned activities with other City of Charlotte departments and outside agencies. The duties listed below illustrate the various types of work that may be performed. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Responsibilities
Directs and oversees acquisition, development, and rehabilitation programs; leads the strategic repositioning of existing properties through the Strategic Asset Model (SAM), leveraging data-driven insights to identify underperforming assets for transformation and guide land acquisition aligned with long-term neighborhood revitalization goals.
Oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of policies, procedures and guidelines for the programs and operations of the Real Estate Development Department.
Holds primary responsibility for creating redevelopment strategies and overseeing implementation; executes strategies for making the Housing Authority a self-sustaining real estate organization; meets and maintains production goals.
Coordinates efforts with the Construction Director and Acquisitions/Relocation Director and confers with the Staff Attorney to ensure effective communication of development status and needs.
Meets or confers with prospective development partners and property owners in order to evaluate opportunities for affordable housing ventures.
Engages in activities that identify and pursue appropriate funding to support affordable housing goals; monitors market conditions and reviews opportunities for refinancing of properties.
Serves as primary Housing Authority real estate representative with partners, interfacing regularly with executive management of local, state, and national public officials, as well as, local development and other partners and key stakeholders. Facilitates the resolution of issues between key stakeholders.
Oversees and monitors the departments operating budget to ensure department is operating with budget restraints; manages budgets and pursuit cost allocations in regard to acquisition/construction recommendations. Acts as lead in developing department’s annual scorecard.
Reviews and evaluates staffs’ work/projects, review and approval all documentation/applications/reports of staff before going to the CEO for execution
Recommends the best alternatives on transactions involving new developments, acquisitions & dispositions, development budgets and proformas; ensures deadlines are maintained.
Prepares written reports, oversees HUD quarterly reporting, revitalization plan amendment and grants close out process. Conducts presentations to CEO and Board of Commissioners.
Performs site visits to review work in progress or for inspection purposes.
Serves as development resource to city, county officials, HUD and other partners.
Performs speaking engagements presenting information regarding the Housing Authority development and real estate programs.
Participates in training and developmental activities as directed by the CEO.
Provides coordination leadership within the organization to ensure deadlines and program goals are met.
Communicates orally and in writing with regulatory officials, funding agencies and other governmental entities regarding issues related to the Housing Authority development programs.
Proposes budget and staffing levels for the department.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
Education equivalent to graduation from a four-year accredited college or university with a major in real estate, business administration, urban planning or a related field. Relevant experience in the area of design, construction or complex affordable housing development may be substituted for formal education requirements. Nine (9) years professional experience in design, development project management or, preferably, affordable housing development, with progressively increasing responsibility required. Computer literacy essential. Experience in the public sector is preferred.
Knowledge and Skills
Thorough knowledge of the Real Estate development process, HUD assisted housing programs, mixed-finance, programs and processes.
Knowledge of rental housing design, construction and financing.
Ability to develop feasible public-private affordable housing developments.
Ability to read and interpret building plans, site plans and blue prints.
Ability to collect and analyze data.
Ability to evaluate and prepare professional and technical reports, grant applications and other documents.
Requires human collaboration skills and the use of technical skills.
Ability to perform a job independently upon receiving general instructions.
Intermediate mathematical ability for working with real numbers, fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurements.
Intermediate writing skills necessary for report writing, business letters, expositions and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.
Ability to operate appropriate Agency computer and other office equipment, use applicable software such as Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word.
Ability to deal effectively with sensitive and confidential information.
Ability to establish and maintain effective, professional and tactful working relationships with co-workers and persons outside the Agency.
Supervision Controls
The employee receives instructions from the CEO. Courses of action, deadlines and priorities are established by policy, procedure, rules or regulations, depending upon the assignment. Routine duties are initiated by the employee without direct supervision.
The employee provides guidance to subordinates Real Estate Development Department, setting priorities and deadlines. Such guidance is usually broad and nonspecific unless an unusual situation or problem arises. The employee monitors the work of subordinates for accuracy, completeness, conformance to policy, and achievement of goals or objectives.
Guidelines
Guidelines include established federal regulations, policies and procedures, traditional practices, reference materials such as dictionaries, desk manuals, handbooks and the Internet. If guidelines do not cover a situation, the employee consults the supervisor. Sound judgment, consistency and accuracy are needed to successfully perform duties.
Complexity
The employee performs a variety of routine and generally related tasks. The course of action is determined by established procedure, the supervisor, or the employee. Tasks have to be coordinated, integrated, and/or prioritized to be accomplished within set deadlines. Routine work is relatively structured, and problems may require consultation with the supervisor.
Scope and Effect
The employee's work affects Agency employees, residents, partners, stakeholders and other local agencies. A high degree of accuracy is required to ensure that accounts payable are accurately processed in a timely manner. Successful accomplishment of tasks by the employee can enhance the Agency's ability to provide housing that is decent, safe and sanitary and to render adequate services for its residents.
Personal Contacts
The employee has contact with co-workers, applicants, residents, business firms, contractors, consultants, and vendors for the purpose of giving or exchanging information, resolving problems, justification and negotiation
Physical Requirements
Must be able to sit and/or stand for up to eight hours at a time while preforming work duties.
Work is principally sedentary, but may involve some physical exertion, such as kneeling, crouching, or lifting to obtain files and records, and eyestrain from working with computers and other office equipment.
Must be able to bend, stoop, push, and pull in the performance of office-related duties.
Must be able to use fingers bilaterally and unilaterally to operate office equipment.
Must have vision and hearing corrected to be able to perform essential job functions.
Must be able to perform essential job functions in an environment that will sometimes include increased levels of work-related stress.
Must be able to maintain punctuality and attendance as scheduled.
Must also be able to lift up to 10 lbs. on a periodic basis.
An employee may request a reasonable accommodation to mitigate any of the physical requirements listed above.
Work Environment
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors and the employee is exposed to weather extremes. The employee is subject to normal risks associated with visits to housing developments and confrontations with residents and nonresidents.
Other Requirements
Must possess a valid State of North Carolina or South Carolina driver’s license and regularly participate in continuous improvement and education. Must work with the highest degree of confidentiality.