Now Hiring - Athens Housing Authority - Chief Real Estate Officer in Athens, GA

Full description of the position

Position Summary

The CREO has the overall responsibility for managing the operations and administration of the Real Estate Department. Critical functions of this position include real estate acquisition, rehabilitation, redevelopment, development, multi-family and single-family home design, construction observation, finance, and federal, state, and municipal program administration and regulatory compliance. Provides leadership and facilitates increased operational effectiveness and efficiency due to an ongoing and changing regulatory environment 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 Athens Housing Authority (AHA or Agency). Coordinates assigned activities with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCUG) departments, among other outside agencies. Performance of these duties also requires the application of executive skills and excellent judgement and decision-making skills. Duties are performed under the general supervision of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and results are evaluated by the CEO, HUD audits, on-site inspections by HUD facility personnel, and independent audits of the departments programs.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

The statements contained here reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. The CREO may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. The CREO is an at-will employee, and the listed duties and functions in no way alter or affect the at-will relationship between the parties.

Department Oversight

1. Oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, procedures, and guidelines for the programs and operations related to real estate development, capital improvements, Multifamily Bond Financing Program, and neighborhood revitalization programs.

2. In coordination with the Finance Department, oversees and monitors the operating budget relative to the department and programs, to ensure department is operating within budget constraints. Manages budgets and cost allocations for acquisition/construction recommendations.

3. Reviews and evaluates staff work/projects. Reviews and approves all staff documentation, applications, and reports before submitting to the CEO for final review and execution.

4. Prepares written reports, oversees HUD reporting, revitalization plan amendments, and the close out process for grants.

5. Conducts presentations to CEO and Board of Commissioners.

6. Performs site visits to observe work in progress or for inspection purposes.

7. Serves as development resource to ACCUG staff, DCA, HUD, and other partners/stakeholders.

8. Performs speaking engagements, presenting information regarding AHA and real estate programs.

9. Participates in training and developmental activities as directed by the CEO.

10. Provides coordination and leadership within the organization and between development team members such as Architect and Engineering (A/E), environmental consultants, appraisers, market analysts, legal, debt/equity partners.

11. Works closely with A/E firms, as primary AHA contact, to ensure that final contract documents are complete and accurate.

12. Communicates orally and in writing with funding agencies and other governmental entities regarding issues related to the AHAs development, capital needs, and homeownership programs.

13. Proposes budget and staffing levels for the department.

14. Performs other duties as directed by the Chief Executive Officer.

15. Develops and implements programs as directed by the Chief Executive Officer.

Real Estate Development

1. Directs, plans, and monitors programs related to the development, redevelopment, and acquisition of land or acquisition of land and improvements, and rehabilitation; directs the strategy of repositioning existing properties through portfolio planning efforts.

2. Holds primary responsibility for creating redevelopment strategies and overseeing implementation; executes strategies for making the AHA a self-sustaining real estate organization; meets and maintains production goals.

3. Meets or confers with prospective development partners and property owners to evaluate opportunities for joint ventures related to the development of affordable housing.

4. Engages in activities that identify and pursue appropriate funding to support affordable housing goals; monitors market conditions and reviews opportunities for refinancing of properties.

5. On Public-Private Partnership (P3) and Joint Venture (JV) opportunities, recommends the best alternatives on transactions involving new developments, acquisitions, and dispositions. Assists CEO in the negotiation of JV agreements, key business criteria, development agreements, Limited Partnership Agreements, and other transaction documents.

6. On AHA self-develop opportunities, produces development and operating budgets and proformas, oversees all team member contracts (i.e., A/E, contractors, and specialty consultants such as appraisers, environmental and market analysts). Oversees execution of project and ensures project budget and schedule are adhered to.

7. Administers the Agencys single-family and infill housing programs, including but not limited to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and ACT I Homes Program.

8. Oversees the handling of eminent domain actions when necessary, zoning issues, and easements for public improvements on AHA property.

Capital Needs

1. Administers the Agencys Capital Fund Program (CFP) for making improvements to existing public housing.

2. Coordinates capital improvement efforts with the AHA Chief Operating Officer. Maintains and updates the Five-Year Plan, Annual Plans and budgets related to the HUD modernization programs to assure that funds are obligated and expended within statutory timeframes. Assure that funds are obligated and expended on time and within budget allocations.

3. Procures contractors by advertising, bidding, bid evaluation, selection, and bid award process that follows established AHA procedures and HUD regulations.

4. Plans, schedules, and coordinates approved construction/modernization work within specific established cost and time parameters.

5. Conducts pre-bid, pre-construction, and routine progress/status report conferences and meetings with contractors and A/E firm.

6. Maintains and prioritizes a Needs Assessment by surveying the current conditions of AHA facilities and identifying work required to upgrade buildings and grounds to market standards.

7. Develops RFPs for the selection of the A/E, environmental, testing, and other consulting firms following the AHA's professional firm selection criteria and procedures.

Minimum Education and Experience

1. Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with a major in real estate, finance, urban planning, or a related field. Graduate level degree preferred.

2. Ten (10) years professional experience in design oversight, development project management or, preferably, affordable housing development, with progressively increasing responsibility required.

3. Relevant experience around complex affordable housing development may be substituted for formal education requirements.

4. Experience in private sector real estate development is preferred.

5. Computer literacy essential.

Physical Requirements

The following is a list of physical requirements necessary to perform this job, either with or without accommodation.

1. Must be physically able to access all units, common areas, grounds, and construction/modernization sites for inspection purposes.

2. Must be able to work, move, or carry objects or materials such as files, computer printouts, reports, calculators, pencils, legal pads, plans, etc.

The AHA will provide reasonable accommodations provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform the duties and assignments connected with the job and provided that any accommodations made do not require significant difficulty or expense.

Knowledge and Skills

1. Thorough knowledge of the real estate development process, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit financing, HUD development and operations programs.

2. Knowledge of rental housing design, construction, and financing.

3. Ability to develop feasible public-private affordable housing developments.

4. Ability to read and interpret site and building plans.

5. Ability to collect and analyze data.

6. Ability to evaluate and prepare professional and technical reports, competitive funding applications, and other documents.

7. Requires human collaboration skills and the use of technical skills.

8. Ability to perform a job independently upon receiving general instructions.

9. Advanced capabilities relative to Excel for modeling of development projects.

10. Advanced writing skills necessary for report writing, business letters, expositions, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

11. Ability to operate appropriate Agency computer and other office equipment, use applicable software such as Microsoft Office Suites.

12. Ability to deal effectively with sensitive and confidential information.

13. Ability to establish and maintain effective, professional, and tactful working relationships with co-workers and persons outside the Agency.

Special Requirements

1. Must have or obtain a valid State of Georgia Driver's License.

2. Must be bondable.

3. Must be able to occasionally work at night and on weekends if required.

4. Must be insurable by AHA's fleet insurance carrier.

Supervision Controls

Chief Real Estate Officer provides guidance to subordinates in the Real Estate Department, setting priorities and deadlines, monitoring the work of subordinates for accuracy, completeness, conformance to policy, and achievement of department goals and objectives.

Qualified candidates should email a cover letter, salary requirements, and detailed resume to: Carol Kirchman [please apply online] [No phone calls please.]

Job Type: Full-time

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Athens, GA 30606: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person