Description

Director of  Real Estate Development

Reports To:  Chief Operating Officer

Status:        FT/Exempt

Location:     Richmond, CA

Compensation:  $175,000-$230,000, Commensurate with Experience

Apply By:     January 16, 2026

Community Housing Development Corporation seeks a visionary, collaborative, and highly effective Director of  Real Estate Development to lead an impactful portfolio of affordable housing initiatives across the Bay Area. This role is ideal for a seasoned development professional who combines strategy with relationships and hands-on execution—someone who can oversee site acquisition through project close-out while managing financing, compliance, and community partnerships. The Director will guide a talented team; cultivate strong relationships with public and private partners; and drive innovative approaches to expanding affordable housing opportunities for low-income and underserved residents. With organizational leadership that values equity, collaboration, and community voice, CHDC is looking for a leader who is both technically strong and also deeply aligned with the mission of advancing housing access, neighborhood revitalization, and financial opportunity. Candidates who thrive in a fast-paced, impact-oriented nonprofit setting—and who are energized by shaping strategy and serving diverse communities—will find this a compelling opportunity to make meaningful and scalable change.

About Community Housing Development Corporation:

Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) was founded in 1990 with a vision of creating vibrant, safe, and diverse communities throughout our region where people of all ages can thrive within communities free of blight, crime, and pollution, where involved residents have access to affordable housing, education, health care, and economic opportunity. CHDC provides a broad range of affordable housing opportunities and services to enable low/moderate-income residents to gain better housing and financial stability. Our unique approach to community development engages residents at the grassroots level and ensures that the whole neighborhood and its residents benefit from the affordable housing and the neighborhood services provided. CHDC develops housing for families of all sizes, ages, and people with disabilities. We emphasize affordability for people with incomes below 80% of the area’s median income. Our for-sale properties are targeted at first-time buyers. Buyers are prepared and qualified to purchase through CHDC’s Homeownership Program. As a certified Community Development Financial Institute (CDFI) we can make direct loans to first-time homebuyers, along with down payment assistance.

Our property management service has grown to include services that improve the quality of life for residents which include on-site financial literacy, social service after-school programs, education, career skill-building opportunities, and access to affordable transportation. CHDC is a Green Certified NeighborWorks organization. We also focus on using energy-efficient products in our existing properties and new developments, along with offering grants to purchase eco-friendly clean vehicles.

Over 30 years since CHDC was founded it remains to be a shortage of affordable housing for low and extremely low-income people in the Bay Area, which greatly impacts their long-term economic security. As an organization we’re looking at how to advocate for legal protection for renters and homeowners; increase the sheer number of housing opportunities for low-income families; and how educate our communities about their financial stability, so there is true equity and inclusion in the marketplace we’re focusing on Race, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our operations and decision-making policies. We’re joining the larger conversation about racial equity within the affordable housing market, conversations that lead to action. We hope you’ll join the conversation as it takes more than just talking about equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion, but that’s where we can start. Learn more about Community Housing Development Corporation at communityhdc.org.

Requirements

About The Position’s Purpose:

Under the leadership of the Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Real Estate Development (RED) will lead the strategic planning, project operations, and execution of all real estate development projects for CHDC. This role requires a visionary leader with a high level of skills in real estate development, project management, and community engagement. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in the non-profit real estate development sector and can foster partnerships with various stakeholders while staying committed to our organization’s mission.

Staff reporting to the Director of RED:

• Assistant Director of Real Estate Development
• Senior Project Manager
• Project Managers 
• Interns for the Department
• Development Consultants
• Real Estate Development Administrative Assistant 

About Essential Functions of the Position:

• Strategic Focus: Responsible for the overall strategy and direction of the organization’s real estate development efforts. Oversees the entire real estate development portfolio.
• Leadership: Provides leadership and a clear vision for the real estate development team and the organization’s development initiatives.

Strategic Planning and Leadership:

•  Develops and implements the real estate development strategy in alignment with the organization’s mission and goals.
•  Leads the identification and assessment of new development opportunities.
•  Oversees the preparation of feasibility studies, financial analyses, and market research.
•  Serves as the organizational representative to housing organizations, public agencies, financial institutions, and community meetings.  Advocates for aordable housing by giving public presentations; participating in community and public policy groups; attending conferences; and staying informed of public policies affecting affordable housing.
•  Meets with COO on a regular basis to coordinate all acquisition activities.
•  Works with the Executive Team to develop annual goals and budgets for acquisitions. 
•  Develops organization’s overall acquisition strategy in coordination with other departments and the  Executive Team.
• Prepares and makes public presentations to city planning commissions and city councils related to various CHDC projects. Also makes presentations in other public venues and to the CHDC Board of Directors, as necessary.
•  Assists in identifying and evaluating new financial partners.
•  Attends mandatory trainings/seminars.
•  Coordinates regular (monthly meetings) and provides staff support to Project Committee composed of Board Members and selected other     representatives related to the Development department.

Project Management:

• Manages all phases of real estate development projects, including site acquisition, entitlement, design, financing, construction, and project close-out.
• Coordinates and supervises project teams including architects, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders.
• Ensures projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

Financial Oversight:

• Develops and manages project budgets and financial models.
• Secures project financing through grants, loans, tax credits, and other funding sources.
• Oversees the financial reporting and compliance with funding requirements.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Fosters relationships with community members, government agencies, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Leads community outreach and engagement efforts to ensure projects meet community needs and gain local support.
• Represents the organization at public meetings, hearings, and other events.

Project Scheduling;

•  Creates and coordinates project schedules and maintains a process for the project team.
•   Adheres and is accountable to timelines.
•   Creates and maintains financing timelines.
•  Maintains knowledge of funding cycles and timelines

Compliance and Risk Management;

• Ensures all projects comply with local, state, and federal regulations and standards.
• Identifies and mitigates project risks.
• Maintains accurate project documentation and reporting.
• Prepares and submits reports to funding sources for projects in a timely manner.
• Completes project close-outs.
• Completes 8609 Filings.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of seven years’ experience in housing/real estate development, real estate finance, or planning, ideally, with at least five years’ experience as a Housing Development Project Manager and demonstrated commitment to affordable housing development.
• Experience and knowledge in developing affordable housing projects within budget and deadline constraints, from start to finish.
• Experience in managing and coordinating multiple activities of project development, from inception to completion, preferably including nonprofit/affordable housing issues, policies, and procedures.
• Strong financial background, preferably including affordable housing real estate finance such as real estate proformas.
• Knowledge of public entitlement and funding processes, particularly in California and at the federal level.
• Construction loan closing, permanent loan conversion, and project close-out experience.
• Minimum of 3 years’ supervisory experience desired.
• Ability to work independently to complete tasks with minimal oversight.
• Strong oral, public presentation, and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Project, Excel, and Word with aptitude/willingness to learn other management software programs.
• Ability to work in teams and coordinate diverse input into the development process.
• Ability to seek creative solutions to situations as they occur.
• Have a temperament that is suitable for the environment of a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization and the ability to create a work environment that is cheerful, productive, and inclusive.
• Ability to work effectively with different social and economic groups and guide community design process and acceptance.
• Experience in design or engineering is desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, real estate, or planning or equivalent experience; master’s in urban planning, architecture, public administration, and/or business administration desired.
• A background check is required.

Physical Requirements:

•  Must be able to remain stationary for extended periods of time.
•   Requires the mental acuity to perform the essential functions as outlined in an accurate and timely fashion.
•   Must be able to meet with stakeholders inside and outside of the office.
•   Must be able to lift at least 20 pounds.

Benefits: Medical Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, AD&D insurance, Paid Vacation, Paid Sick Days, Paid Holidays, and a 403 (B) Plan.

About The Application Process:
 
For this search, we are pleased to be partnering with Walker & Associates Consulting - a Bay Area-based, Black- and woman-owned strategic management consulting and executive search firm promoting equitable community impact. To apply, email a thoughtful cover letter, resume, and list of three references to communityhdc@walkeraac.com by Friday, January 16, 2026. Resume review begins immediately and references will not be contacted without advance notice. 

Questions or nominations? Email the search team at communityhdc@walkeraac.com.   

Equal Opportunity & Equity Statement

Community Housing Development Corporation is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity as central to our work serving The Bay Area. We comply with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. Our practices are in alignment with our commitment to workplace equity, diversity, and inclusion. We foster a work environment where our current and future staff feel welcomed without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, national origin, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation.