Real Estate Project Manager

Valley Community Development seeks an experienced Real Estate Project Manager to coordinate the development of affordable housing.

The Organization
Valley Community Development Corporation (Valley) seeks an enthusiastic, motivated, and experienced Real Estate Project Manager. Valley is a community-based nonprofit organization formed in 1988 and serves Hampshire and Franklin counties. Our mission is to empower underserved low- and moderate-income people and improve the quality of their lives. We accomplish this by developing affordable housing, providing small business economic opportunities, and first-time homeownership support.

Valley owns 81 units of affordable housing spread across six properties in Northampton and Amherst. The organization receives federal and state grants, and donations from corporations and individuals. Valley’s seven staff members are dedicated professionals from varying backgrounds. The organization, Board of Directors, and staff adopted the MACDC Racial Equity pledge in December 2021. One of the prime tenants of this pledge is that our staff should be diverse, equitable, inclusive, and representative of the communities we serve.

Valley is an equal opportunity employer. Valley will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Valley on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.

Real Estate Development at Valley
Valley has developed more than 260 units of affordable rental and ownership housing and 4 commercial properties. We engage in project development/planning, and we collaborate with other partners in Western Massachusetts.

We also have a 28-unit building under construction in Amherst and we’re assisting Rural Development, Inc with a 33-unit affordable senior housing development under construction in Sunderland. Valley’s pipeline of upcoming projects includes:
o 20-unit family rental housing development (new construction)
o 60-unit family housing rehab
o 30 homeownership units
o 50 units of hotel conversion

The Real Estate Project Manager (PM)
Valley seeks an experienced real estate development professional who will, together with the Real Estate Development team (the Real Estate Development Director and another Project Manager) develop and maintain an active real estate pipeline as well as manage projects underway. The PM will report to the Director of Real Estate Development.

The PM will have the opportunity to work on a range of affordable rental and mixed-use development projects primarily located in the vibrant communities of Northampton/Amherst/Hadley/Easthampton. 

Primary Responsibilities include:
• Engage in planning, site selection, securing site control, permitting, design, loan closings, construction, and implementation of real estate development projects
• Schedule capital needs assessments and coordinate re-capitalization/re-finance of Valley’s existing portfolio, as needed
• Prepare development and operating budgets, conduct financial analyses and financial tracking
• Select and manage project team members i.e., architects, engineers, development consultants, attorneys, and other professionals as appropriate
• Develop project proposals, determine feasibility, and seek project financing
• Provide project management services during construction including tracking budgets, managing project schedules, preparing requisitions, and managing lender relationships
• Collaborate on efforts to engage community residents in housing development and mixed-use real estate development
• Participate in coalitions with a variety of community-based, statewide and/or national organizations
• Other related duties and responsibilities as assigned

Required Skills and Qualifications
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in affordable real estate development and/or related fields
• Proven understanding of real estate project development, financing, construction, and planning
• Excellent organizational and time management skills including at least 3 years of experience managing project teams
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including modeling
• Familiarity with permitting and zoning in Massachusetts
• Passion for energy-efficient building, including Passive House and Net Zero Construction
• Computer literacy, including fluency in MS Office
• A passion for housing and community development
• Affinity for working with people across cultures and economic positions

Preferred Skills
• Preferred experience in property and asset management
• Experience developing larger (25 units +) and complex real estate developments
• Experience with the Massachusetts One Stop Application process
• Demonstrated experience using a range of public and private affordable housing and community development resources, including Low Income Housing Tax Credits, preferably in Massachusetts
• Spanish proficiency

Salary and Benefits
Hours for the position are negotiable within an expected range of 30 hours to 37.5 hours per week (Valley’s full-time work week is 37.5 hours). Hours are generally scheduled between 9am and 5pm Monday through Friday. Occasional early morning or evening hours are required. Valley is a community-based organization that requires regular weekly in-office time of at least one day a week. We require that staff are vaccinated against COVID.

The salary range for this position is $65,000-78,000 for full-time equivalency and depending on experience. The PM is an exempt employee. Benefits include 15 vacation days, 2 personal days and 15 sick leave days, health and dental insurance, and a retirement plan. Our office is in downtown Northampton with free parking.