Seattle Social Housing Developer Housing Developer III Seattle, WA · Full time Company website

Apply for Housing Developer III

The Seattle Social Housing Developer is creating permanently affordable, high-quality homes that strengthen communities and expand opportunity. We’re looking for passionate, mission-driven people who want to make a real impact in housing justice. If you thrive in collaborative environments and are excited to help shape Seattle’s future, explore our open roles and join us in making homes affordable forever.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW 

The Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD) is a Public Development Authority (PDA) committed to creating, owning, and stewarding permanently affordable, mixed-income social housing that is publicly financed, publicly controlled, and free from market speculation. As we lay the foundation for this transformative model, guided by international examples and rooted in public accountability, we are building a team to define a new standard for equitable, sustainable, and community-centered social housing development in Seattle. Our goal is to expand access, strengthen the social fabric of our city, and ensure housing that is affordable forever and inclusive by design for current and future generations. 

POSITION OVERVIEW 

We are seeking a Housing Developer III to manage the development of complex multifamily mixed income rental housing projects from concept development through feasibility, design, permitting, construction, and closeout. Operating with operational autonomy, the Housing Developer III is responsible for project management, efficiently guiding projects through the development process, mitigating risks, and collaborating with other agency departments – operations, finance, and communications.  

The Housing Developer III reports to the Chief Real Estate Development Officer (CREDO) and works closely with the housing development team, external partners (property sellers, legal counsel, title companies, due diligence vendors, design teams, and general contractors), and community stakeholders to advance new social housing projects. 

POSITION DETAILS 

Job Title: Housing Developer III 

Department: Real Estate Development 

Reports To: Chief Real Estate Development Officer (CREDO) 

Direct Reports: None 

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Compensation $120,000 - $144,000 

SCOPE OF AUTHORITY & ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

New Construction Projects 

• Project Management: Manage project development. Keep projects on track, moving through the development process as quickly and efficiently as possible. Host regular team meetings and maintain project records. Analyze feasibility, financial and reputational risks; develop and implement strategies to reduce and manage risks. Keep the CREDO informed during all phases of development. 
• Site Selection: Work with the team to evaluate new opportunities, score potential sites, make recommendations to the CREDO. Present potential projects to the Real Estate Committee.  Assist with site control negotiations and manage land acquisition process. 
• Feasibility: Complete preliminary capital and operating proformas, order and analyze third party due diligence reports (environmental, geotech, survey, arborist, and others as needed), review title reports and work with legal team, seller, and title company to remove title objections, Assemble development team including the architect and preconstruction services vendor. Present project to the Board of Directors. Keep CREDO updated on project risks. 
• Design and Permitting: Manage biweekly team meetings, ensure SSHD leadership has an opportunity to provide design input at key milestones including during feasibility, schematic design, and during design development. Include Resident Governance and Facilities staff at key junctures to get input on amenity and staff spaces, product choices and other design features that impact maintenance and the resident experience. In collaboration with the design team, work with the City of Seattle on access to expedited permitting and other special zoning or permit permissions available to SSHD. For projects using a Housing Cooperation Agreement, work with the CREDO and CEO on preparing materials for the City’s HCA approval process. 
• Financing: Propose project budget to the CREDO and manage the budget within approved spending authority. Manage value engineering process. If the property will secure public or private loans, either philanthropic or government financing, or private market financing, assist to apply for the funds, manage, in collaboration with a more senior staff member, the underwriting and closing process for the funds.  Approve project bills, complete predevelopment draws and monthly draws during construction, even for projects funded entirely by SSHD’s discretionary resources. 
• Construction: General Contractor Selection – manage the selection process either through the State GC-CM approval process or the design-bid-build process.  Review plans and specs for compliance with government regulations and compliance with SSHD’s Project Labor Agreement. Manage the process of entering into a construction contract.  Manage the contract during construction, including monthly draws, compliance with the State LNI prevailing wage compliance portal, maintain lien releases and other key paperwork from the GC, and manage the contingency budget.  Manage the SSHD Owner’s Rep, and trouble shoot any construction related issues with the Owner’s Rep, architect, GC and CREDO.  Represent SSHD, along with the Owner’s Rep, in monthly OAC (Owner, Architect, Contractor) meetings. 
• Close Out: At least 120 days before construction is complete, notify the COO to begin the staff up process and preparation for rent up. Manage the close out process, including approving substantial completion, prevailing wage and PLA compliance, retainage release, final lien releases, receipt of operating and maintenance manuals, as-built drawings, warrantees, etc. Schedule warranty inspections and ensure that facilities staff are connected with the general contractor to respond to warranty issues. Hand off key documents to the COO or CFO. Prepare financial records for cost certifications if necessary. 
• Community Relations: Coordinate with the SSHD Director of Communications for community presentations and other public facing presentations regarding project development.  Maintain relationships and represent SSHD with community stakeholders. 

Acquisition Projects 

• Evaluation & Strategy: Partner with the Director of Acquisitions to identify, evaluate, and structure property acquisitions, including preliminary feasibility and financial analysis.  Assist to prepare presentations for the CREDO, CEO, Board Real Estate Committee, and SSHD Board of Directors on key project characteristics including alignment with the organization’s Acquisition Values, financial benchmarks, and risks of proceeding to closing. 
• Due Diligence Oversight: Direct due diligence investigations, including Phase I/II environmental reports, physical needs assessments, title/encumbrance reviews, and risk analyses. 
• Transaction Negotiation: Support negotiations of Purchase and Sale Agreements (PSAs) and related transaction documents in coordination with the Director of Acquisitions and legal counsel. 

General SSHD Process Compliance and Collaboration 

• Procurement: Procure all vendors and negotiate contracts in compliance with SSHD’s Procurement and Contracting Process. 
• Insurance: Work with the CFO or COO and SSHD’s insurance agent to arrange for insurance on new land site acquisitions, and builder’s risk insurance during construction. 
• Record Keeping: Maintain records in compliance with Department electronic filing protocols and in compliance with the Public Records Act. 
• Cross-Functional Representation: Participate in SSHD staff meetings, Housing Development team meetings, Board Real Estate Committee Meetings, and Board Presentations on development projects. 
• Operations Improvement: Participate in agency-wide initiatives to build the agency’s capacity. Examples include building information management systems, reporting formats, policy frameworks, and tools for monitoring benchmarks and improving operations. 
• Policy Contribution: Assist SSHD in evaluating and advancing policy changes (e.g., zoning, land use, or public funding mechanisms) that further the agency’s development goals. 

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Bachelor's/Master's degree required in Real Estate, Urban Planning, Finance, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field.  
• 5+ years of progressive, deep domain professional experience in affordable housing finance, project management, or construction management.  
• Strong working knowledge and mastery of affordable housing finance tools and regulatory compliance.  
• Strong commitment to housing equity and experience working with communities most impacted by displacement and housing instability.  
• Highly organized, independent, and capable of managing multiple high-priority deals and stakeholder relationships in a fast-moving environment. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Master’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, or Architecture.  
• Demonstrated experience with sustainable and resilient building frameworks (e.g. Passive House, green building, LEED).  
• Understanding of the real estate market across various Seattle neighborhoods.  
• Multilingual abilities and/or culturally grounded community engagement experience. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS 

• Must pass a background check. 
• Ability to travel within a 60-mile radius and work occasional evenings/weekends. 
• Ability to adapt to shifting priorities and take on additional responsibilities as the role and organization evolve. 
• As a condition of employment, employees of Seattle Social Housing Developer are generally prohibited from residing in housing that is owned, developed, operated, or managed by SSHD, except where SSHD has approved a limited operational exception.  

OUR CULTURE OF CONSTRUCTIVE CLARITY 

We are carrying out a bold mandate, which requires us to be exceptionally honest and clear with one another. We actively value different perspectives and expect our team members to share constructive disagreements and challenge ideas during our planning stages. We know that brilliant minds process and share information differently. Whether you prefer to speak up in a meeting, share written feedback after digesting a proposal, or discuss ideas one-on-one with your manager, we welcome and support your communication style. What matters most to us is that we don't ignore unresolved issues. Once we have weighed all viewpoints and made a decision, we align and move forward as a unified team. If you value transparency, structured feedback, and committing to shared goals, we would love to have you join us. 

BUILDING EQUITY THROUGH HOUSING AND HIRING 

As part of Seattle Social Housing's overall commitment to racial equity, we work for affordable housing development that is grounded in justice. We see the hiring of this position, and all positions, as an opportunity to be a more equitable and racially just organization. 

Seattle Social Housing is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. People of color, Native and Indigenous people, trans and LGBQIA people, people with disabilities, and other individuals who bring critical perspectives from historically marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Application Notice 

We do not have a set closing date for this position. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the posting will be removed once we have identified a strong pool of qualified candidates. We encourage you to apply early.