VP of Housing Development

WHO IS CHI?

Community Housing Innovations (CHI) is a not-for-profit housing and human services organization that aims to support social and economic independence. Our vision is to end generational poverty and foster upward mobility by ensuring that all families and individuals live in quality housing, have a home of their own, and a job to support them. We believe quality, affordable housing is the foundation for prosperity, personal fulfillment, and success.

WHAT DOES CHI OFFER?

CHI employs a team of hard-working, compassionate people who want to give back to others in their community. We are proud to offer:

• Generous Paid time off
• Personal and Sick Days
• Health insurance and health reimbursement account 
• Dental and vision plans
• Flexible spending account
• AFLAC supplemental insurance
• Dependent Care Spending Account
• Commuter Transit and Parking Account
• Working Advantage- Employee Perks
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Monthly trainings and career development plans

JOB SUMMARY

The Vice President of Housing Development leads the organization’s efforts to plan, finance, and execute affordable and supportive housing projects across New York. This executive-level role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of real estate development—from acquisition and pre-development through construction and stabilization. In addition to managing a growing pipeline of projects, the VP will play a key leadership role in guiding the organization's geographic and programmatic expansion. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in affordable housing development and the strategic insight needed to help scale our impact in new regions and underserved communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Vision
  • Develop and implement a long-term housing development strategy aligned with the organization’s mission and ambitious growth goals.
  • Identify and pursue new development opportunities through market analysis, public RFPs, and strategic partnerships.
  • Actively contribute to the organization’s expansion efforts by identifying target regions, building feasibility models, and recommending pilot programs for new markets.
• Project Oversight
  • Oversee the planning, financing, and execution of multiple affordable and supportive housing projects concurrently in conjunction with the CEO and executive leadership. 
  • Lead site selection, feasibility analysis, entitlements, design, permitting, and construction processes in conjunction with the CEO and executive leadership. 
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Manage the design and construction team to ensure a financially and operationally viable development in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
• Serve as construction period representative; attend site project meetings as the Owner’s Representative.
• Working closely with the general contractor during marketing and lease-up through stabilized occupancy.
• Provide on-site support for timely completion of projects, including monitoring inspections, submittals, change orders, requests for information, construction change directives, commissioning, schedule and construction quality.
• Provide pre-acquisition/pre-development advisory and due diligence services on construction related items such as budget, phasing, and site logistics.
• Perform site visits and building analysis/due diligence prior to acquiring an asset and create internal reports detailing risks, recommendations for improvement and other pertinent information based on the site visit.

Financial Management

• Secure funding from diverse sources including LIHTC, HOME, CDBG, HHAP, HCR, HDC, HUD, and private financing.
• Prepare and manage complex development budgets and financial pro Formas.
• Negotiate and execute funding agreements, development contracts, and joint venture partnerships.
• Review contracts, contractor requisitions, change order and draw requests, and ensure adherence to budget, schedule, and design goals.
• Create scopes of work and hard cost budgets for renovations/repositioning and energy efficiency/green measures.
• Work with in-house team of project managers during preconstruction to review construction budgets prepared by outside Construction Managers/General Contractors to support competitive pricing.

Team Leadership

• Manage the design and construction team to ensure financially and operationally viable development in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and mission-driven team culture.
• Coordinate with internal departments (Finance, Legal, Compliance, Operations) to align project goals.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent the organization at public hearings, conferences, and meetings.
• Advocate for housing policy and funding initiatives that support the organization’s mission.

Organizational Growth & Expansion

• Support the CEO and executive team in executing a strategic expansion plan across new geographies in New York and beyond.
• Provide leadership on site and region selection for expansion, including due diligence and community engagement efforts.
• Build and strengthen cross-sector partnerships with local governments, financial institutions, and nonprofit collaborators in new markets.
• Ensure new development initiatives reflect the organization’s standards for quality, impact, and sustainability.

Salary range: $150,000 -$170,000 annually 

What do I need to apply?

Required:

·         5+ years of progressively responsible experience in real estate development, with at least 2 years in affordable or supportive housing. 

·         Deep knowledge of New York housing programs, financing tools, and regulatory requirements. 

·         Proven track record of managing full-cycle affordable housing development projects.

·         Experience leading development initiatives during periods of organizational growth or geographic expansion.

·         Strong financial acumen with experience managing complex project budgets and funding sources.

·         Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and communication skills.

Preferred:

·         Master’s degree in real estate development, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related field. LIHTC certified. 

·         Experience working in or with nonprofit or mission-driven housing organizations.

·         Familiarity with supportive housing models and services integration.

·         Knowledge of emerging housing needs in both urban and suburban New York communities, including upstate and Long Island.

·         Demonstrated ability to cultivate partnerships in new markets and support long-term organizational growth strategies.

DIVERSTY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Community Housing Innovations Inc (CHI) respects diversity and is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation marital status, partnership status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Community Housing Innovations is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This commitment applies to recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, compensation, training, assignments, benefits, employee activities, termination, access to facilities, and programs, and all other terms and conditions of employment as well as general treatment during employment.