Senior Project Manager (Affordable Housing)

 

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER (AFFORDABLE HOUSING)

ABOUT DECRO

Since 1989, DECRO, a California nonprofit, tax-exempt affordable housing developer, has been committed to meeting the critical shortage of affordable and permanent supportive housing for those who most need this housing – individuals, families, and seniors who are homeless or at risk of becoming so and those whose wages do not keep pace with ever-increasing rents.  

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under the direction of Decro's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Real Estate Development Officer (CRDO), the Senior Project Manager reports to the Director of Real Estate Development.  The Senior Project Manager has primary responsibility for managing all stages of affordable housing development for a portfolio of three to four projects at any given time, depending on size, complexity, and development phase. The Senior Project Manager is expected to lead complex projects from initial feasibility analysis and acquisition through financing, entitlements, construction, lease-up, and transition to operations, while managing risk, schedule, budget, consultants, and key stakeholder relationships.

As a senior member of the development team, this position provides strategic judgment, anticipates and resolves complex project issues, communicates effectively with executive leadership and the Decro Board, and helps strengthen Decro's development practices and organizational capacity. The Senior Project Manager directly oversees assigned entry level and mid-level development staff, including setting priorities, delegating work, reviewing deliverables, coaching performance, and supporting professional development. The Senior Project Manager also represents Decro with public agencies, financing partners, community stakeholders, and other external partners.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Development Strategy, Site Acquisition & Feasibility

• Identify and evaluate prospective affordable housing and mixed-use development opportunities consistent with Decro's mission and growth strategy.
• Lead preliminary site due diligence, feasibility analysis, development concept evaluation, and assessment of project risks, opportunities, schedule, and financial viability.
• Prepare clear recommendations and decision materials for review and approval by the Director of RED and then submitted to the CEO, CRDO, and Decro Board for their consideration and decision.
• Lead the acquisition and due diligence process for approved sites, including coordination of brokers, attorneys, consultants, purchase and sale agreements, escrow, closing, and related loan disbursements.
• Establish the overall project vision in consultation with executive leadership, the project architect, property management, and service-provider staff, including identification of target resident populations and long-term operational needs.

Project Finance, Pro Formas & Capital Strategy

• Create, maintain, and regularly update project pro formas, development budgets, predevelopment budgets, cash-flow projections, and financial models for assigned developments and project entities.
• Evaluate project feasibility and recommend financial, programmatic, or development-strategy adjustments as assumptions change.
• Garnering community and political support by identifying stakeholder interests, assessing stakeholder interests, meeting with stakeholders, preparing presentations and other documents as necessary, attending and/or organizing meetings with stakeholders.
• Evaluate financing options (e.g. LIHTC, tax-exempt bonds, soft loans, grants) and recommend optimal capital stacks.
• Independently prepare and timely submit accurate and complete funding applications that meet application requirements.
• Lead or coordinate preparation of financing applications and pursue predevelopment, construction, and permanent debt; Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity; public subsidies; tax-exempt bond financing; and other conventional or non-traditional funding sources.
• Coordinate financing due diligence, lender and investor requirements, closing checklists, approvals, and compliance matters through financial closing and project completion.

Entitlements, Public Approvals & Community Engagement

• Lead the land-use entitlement and public-approval process, including development applications, agency submissions, schedule management, and resolution of entitlement issues.
• Coordinate outside land-use consultants, government and community relations consultants, CEQA counsel, relocation consultants, architects, and other specialists as applicable.
• Build productive working relationships with city officials and public-agency staff to advance project approvals and resolve development issues.
• Coordinate with the CEO, CRDO, and resident/community engagement staff on community outreach, public hearings, stakeholder engagement, and related project communications.

Design, Consultant & Development Team Leadership

• Direct and coordinate the multidisciplinary development team, including architects, attorneys, engineers, land-use consultants, sustainability and accessibility consultants, and other third-party professionals.
• Establish clear scopes, deliverables, schedules, and accountability for consultants and actively manage performance throughout the development lifecycle.
• Coordinate design decisions with property management, asset management, resident services, and other internal stakeholders to support long-term operating performance and resident needs.
• Work with Decro's Controller and Accounting Department and executive leadership to review development invoices, monitor consultant spending, and maintain alignment with approved budgets.
• Identify project risks early, develop practical mitigation strategies, and elevate significant issues to the CEO and CRDO with recommended solutions.

Preconstruction, Construction & Cost Management

• Under the direction of Director of RED, work with the general contractor, architect, and construction manager to establish and manage project cost expectations from conceptual design through construction completion.
• Provide owner-side oversight during construction, including management of the construction budget, participation in job-site meetings, review of key project decisions, and coordination of development-team responses to construction issues.

Project Closeout, Lease-Up & Transition to Operations

• Coordinate with Asset Management, property management, the construction manager, and other partners on project marketing, lease-up, occupancy, and transition to stabilized operations.
• Lead development-side coordination of construction closeout, punch-list completion, warranty items, turnover documentation, and resolution of outstanding development matters.
• Support an effective handoff to Asset Management and property operations and ensure that key project commitments, financing requirements, and operational considerations are communicated and documented.

Organizational Leadership & Portfolio Oversight

• Provide clear, concise project reporting to executive leadership and the Board, including project status, key decisions, budget and pro forma performance, schedule, risks, and recommended actions.
• Capable of representing Decro professionally with public agencies, lenders, investors, consultants, community stakeholders, and industry partners.
• Support consistent development practices, tools, and processes across the organization, including project tracking, financial modeling, risk management, and consultant oversight.
• Supervise assigned development staff, including setting priorities, delegating work, reviewing deliverables, coaching performance, supporting professional development, and fostering a collaborative, accountable, and solutions-oriented team culture.
• Perform other duties and special projects as directed by the Director of RED or the CEO or CRDO.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible, directly related real estate development experience, with substantial experience in affordable housing development strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing multiple complex development projects through major milestones such as acquisition, entitlement, financing, construction, and stabilization
• Advanced knowledge of the real estate development process, including property due diligence and acquisition, land use and entitlement, site planning and design, financing, construction, lease-up, and project closeout.
• Preferred qualification - Review cost estimates, evaluate value-engineering opportunities, and ensure that design and program decisions remain aligned with approved budgets and financing requirements.
• In-depth knowledge of affordable housing finance, including public subsidies, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, tax-exempt bonds, construction and permanent lending, and equity investment structures.
• Strong proficiency in project pro forma analysis, financial modeling, development budgeting, and Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to synthesize complex financial, legal, design, construction, and policy issues and make sound, timely recommendations to executive leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead consultants and multidisciplinary project teams, establish accountability, and move complex projects forward through competing priorities and constraints.
• Demonstrated experience supervising and developing staff, including delegating work, setting expectations, providing feedback, and maintaining accountability for results.
• Ability to initiate and maintain effective, cooperative relationships with colleagues, project team members, consultants, local government agencies, lenders and investors, community stakeholders, and external partners.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, negotiation, presentation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex issues clearly and concisely in plain English, both orally and in writing, including with executive leadership, Board members, public officials, and community stakeholders.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the capacity to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously and remain accountable for results under pressure.
• Entrepreneurial, creative, and solutions-oriented approach to real estate development, with strong judgment, initiative, collaboration, and team-building skills.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The annual salary range is $140,000 to $160,000. This is a hybrid role based in Culver City, California. Benefits include employer-paid medical and dental insurance for the employee, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after one year of continuous employment, 14 paid holidays, vacation, sick and comp days, a cell phone stipend, and on-site parking.

DECRO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of gender, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender orientation, or different ability.

Envision Consulting was retained by DECRO to conduct the search for their incoming Senior Project Manager (Affordable Housing).

Applicants needing accommodation for any part of the application process may contact Envision Consulting at 626.714.7577 to request and arrange for assistance.