Real Estate Program Director - Lift Orlando

ABOUT LIFT ORLANDO

Lift Orlando is dedicated to revitalizing the historic 32805 neighborhood. Through strategic partnerships with businesses, residents, and community leaders, we drive impactful change by investing in mixed-income housing, education, health, and economic development. Our holistic approach ensures access to quality education, meaningful employment, and safe, affordable housing, laying a sustainable foundation for long-term growth.

GENERAL POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Real Estate Program Director at Lift Orlando is a multifaceted leadership role designed to oversee real estate development and rehabilitation of single-family and multi-family residential properties. This role improves the financial feasibility of communities by identifying and securing funding from national, statewide, and local sources. The impact of this work is significant, as it drives key real estate initiatives and troubleshoots, strategizes both organizational and financial structure, and provides other strategic support as needed to solve complex real estate and funding challenges within our footprint. The Real Estate Program and Financial Manager must be an exceptional communicator, fostering collaboration and building lasting partnerships that strategically leverage resources to amplify our impact. They must be adept at utilizing complex financial tools and programs tailored to meet the unique needs of our residents and the communities we serve.

ESSENTIAL JOB REQUIREMENTS

Strategic Planning and Execution

· Lead the development and execution of strategic plans in collaboration with the VP of Asset Development and Executive Leadership Team to drive impactful real estate initiatives.

· Provide strategic insights on financial structuring and project feasibility to guide long-term organizational and real estate development goals.

· Assess and report regularly on the progress of real estate projects and strategic initiatives to ensure alignment with broader organizational goals.

· Ensure consistent communication across departments to facilitate cohesive execution of real estate strategies.

Real Estate Development Oversight

· Oversee the entire life cycle of real estate development projects, including:

o Coordinating financial packaging, from acquisition to permanent financing.

o Securing necessary entitlements and building strong community and governmental support.

o Manage and supervise architects, consultants, property managers, contractors, and critical development team members.

· Monitor the development and construction phases to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget, with timely lease-up processes.

· Collaborate with the VP of Asset Development to identify new acquisition opportunities, develop service programs, and assess overall project feasibility.

· Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with external partners, including community leaders, funding sources, and governmental entities.

Financial Structuring and Procurement

· Lead efforts to secure and manage all financing for real estate projects, including acquisition, predevelopment, construction, and permanent loans.

· Identify and procure funding from diverse sources, including federal, state, and local grants, tax credits, and other financial instruments.

· Negotiate and manage all significant financial agreements, such as limited partnership agreements, loan documents, construction contracts, and architectural agreements.

· Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting and documentation that aligns with organizational and project timelines.

· Develop innovative financial strategies that enhance the profitability and sustainability of affordable housing projects.

Stakeholder Management and Collaboration

· Foster strong relationships and collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure project success and alignment with organizational objectives.

· Coordinate meetings and ensure stakeholders are informed of project developments, risks, and opportunities.

· Represent Lift Orlando in high-level external meetings and events, advocating for the organization"s real estate and financial goals.

Team Leadership and Development

· Provide direct leadership and mentorship to the real estate development team, ensuring technical proficiency and alignment with project goals.

· Facilitate cross-functional collaboration with other departments to ensure cohesive execution of real estate projects.

· Support staff development by offering training and guidance on real estate financial models, compliance, and project management.

· Lead crisis management efforts related to real estate projects, ensuring rapid and effective problem resolution.

Compliance and Contract Management

· Oversee the negotiation and execution of significant contracts, including construction, architectural, and property management agreements.

· Ensure strict adherence to local, state, and federal regulations throughout the development and execution of real estate projects.

· Proactively manage financial and contractual risks by reviewing and negotiating terms to protect the organization's interests.

· Implement and maintain compliance standards related to zoning, environmental laws, and other legal requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

· Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, real estate, management, accounting, or a related field or equivalent experience

Experience:

· Minimum of ten years of experience in banking, real estate, affordable housing, or real estate credit analysis and underwriting.

· A background in affordable housing products such as federal housing credits, New Market Tax Credits, Federal Home Loan Bank grants, and other federal, state, and local housing finance tools such as SAIL, HOME, and CDBG funding is a plus.

· At least five years of experience working with senior leadership, preferably in a non-profit or community-focused organization.

· Proven track record of managing complex projects and driving impact.

· Experience working with and for a board of directors and senior executives.

Skills and Abilities:

· Strategic thinker with solid financial structuring and problem-solving skills

· Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities, building relationships and influencing stakeholders.

· Integrity, discretion, and professionalism

· Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and project management tools.

· Skilled at managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

· Aligned with Lift Orlando"s mission and values.

· Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and committed to high-quality work.

· Flexible team player with a positive attitude.

· Able to simplify complex financial models for broader understanding.

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