Description

Housing Forward Oklahoma, LLC is dedicated to advancing the preservation and expansion of affordable and workforce housing opportunities in Tulsa. We achieve this through non-partisan policy initiatives, robust research, market data, and comprehensive capacity-building efforts. Our focus includes systems transformation, policy alignment, and innovative housing partnerships. Our work amplifies the importance of affordable housing, shaping policies, programs, and initiatives that increase the supply of affordable, workforce, and mixed-income housing across the region. Housing Forward was founded with initial investment from The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation.

Job Purpose

The Director of Housing Development will lead Housing Forward’s outcome-driven housing initiatives. Collaborating closely with the Executive Director, this role translates extensive experience and knowledge from the housing and community development field into data-informed program development and implementation strategies. The Director will manage third-party consultants, ensuring their contributions align with Housing Forward’s goals and standards. This includes overseeing the selection, contracting, and performance evaluation of consultants to guarantee high-quality deliverables.

In addition to managing consultants, the Director will spearhead the development and execution of housing programs, providing expert consulting services to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing units. A key aspect of this role involves actively working with developers in the community to foster partnerships and ensure alignment with Housing Forward’s goals. The Director will also recruit and engage national developers, bringing diverse perspectives and innovative solutions to housing challenges.

Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, developers, and community groups, is crucial. By fostering these partnerships, the Director will facilitate collaborative efforts to address housing challenges and promote sustainable development practices. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for policy alignment and systems transformation, ensuring that Housing Forward remains at the forefront of innovative housing solutions.

The Director will also play a critical role in advocacy efforts, working to influence local and state housing policies to better support affordable housing initiatives. This includes engaging with policymakers, participating in public forums, and contributing to the development of legislative proposals. Through these efforts, the Director will help shape a supportive policy environment that enables the successful implementation of Housing Forward’s mission.

Overall, the Director of Housing Development will be a key leader within Housing Forward, driving the organization’s efforts to create a more equitable and inclusive housing landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the coordinated management of multiple, time-bound projects to ensure excellence in program implementation and housing development.
• Formulate program-related goals, objectives, policies, strategic plans, guidelines, governance, standards, and priorities.
• Build strong partnerships and provide strategic implementation expertise for impactful, efficient, and effective program implementation.
• Serve as a project liaison between internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage project implementation, reporting, contracting, technical content, budgeting, and evaluation.
• Support annual budget development processes.
• Perform other duties commensurate with the position.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and other federal, state, and local funding mechanisms for affordable housing development.
• Proven experience in securing and managing LIHTC and other housing development financing, including tax-exempt bonds, HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), and other relevant funding sources.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and compliance requirements associated with various housing finance programs.
• Strong analytical skills to assess financial feasibility and structure deals that maximize funding opportunities for affordable housing projects.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills to effectively engage with financial institutions, government agencies, and other stakeholders involved in housing finance.
• Proven ability to manage key third-party consultants through effective planning, organization, decision-making, and motivation.
• Professionalism, diplomacy, composure, flexibility, and adaptability.

Education

• Undergraduate degree required. Master’s degree in business, public policy, economics, urban planning, or real estate strongly desired.
• Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in relevant fields such as community development, public policy, government, banking and finance, non-profit, or real estate development.

Desired Strengths and Abilities

• Effective communicator with strong oral and written proficiency, adept at conflict resolution and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build relationships and create alignment with staff and stakeholders from diverse perspectives.
• Creative mindset with the ability to proactively respond to a changing environment.
• Entrepreneurial spirit with high self-motivation.
• Deep understanding of challenges facing affordable and workforce housing development, with a passion for advancing public and private initiatives.

Hours and Location

• In-office environment with some hybrid availability and flexible schedules based on business needs and staff readiness.
• Must live in or be able to relocate to Tulsa, OK or the surrounding area.
• Full-time position with an expectation of working 40 hours per week.
• Typical hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional work outside these hours for events and meetings.

Benefits and Compensation:

As part of our overall compensation package, we offer work/life flexibility, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and generous retirement contributions designed to support you and your family. 

Details:

• 100% employer paid medical, dental, and long-term disability for full-time employees only. Option to add vision and dependents.
• 401K employee and employer contributions.
• Paid time off to support you while you are out of the office.
• Paid holidays so our employees can spend time with those they care about.
• Employer paid AD&D life insurance, with employee option to add supplemental life insurance.