Description

Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids NPHC

Job Description

Job Title: Community Land Trust Manager

Department: Real Estate Development

Reports To: Director of Real Estate Development 

FLSA Status: Exempt

Approved By: Chief Operations Officer

Approved Date: February 23, 2024

Summary Under the direction and supervision of the Director of Real Estate Development, the Community Land Trust (“CLT”) Manager shall perform administrative, program, and project management work in the development and construction of Dwelling Place CLT projects, including working with professional consultants and for-profit and nonprofit development partners. The primary responsibility is program development, management, and oversight. The position requires extensive community outreach and education. This position performs moderately complex assignments. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities The CLT Manager must have the skills necessary to supervise and manage all functions of the Dwelling Place Regional CLT, including:

• Leadership & Management: Manage the day-to-day functions of the Dwelling Place Regional CLT. Provide supervision of the CLT sales coordinators. Work with Dwelling Place leadership to set goals and update the business plan. Monitor progress towards goals and plans. Provide feedback and review work products to ensure high-quality work and professional growth while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment that promotes teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Community Outreach: Conduct educational campaigns to market the CLT concept and coordinate our efforts with other stakeholders.
• Financial Partnerships: Establish and maintain critical relationships with Banks and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to ensure that homebuyers have access to mortgage lenders for Community Land Trust properties.
• Public Relations: Develop and implement PR strategies in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications staff, including events, materials, and publications.
• Stakeholder Management: Establish and maintain relationships with government agencies, community organizations, realtors, and other stakeholders to support collaboration and project success. Representing the organization in meetings, conferences, and public forums to advocate for affordable housing initiatives and promote the organization's mission. Advocate for public policies that support the CLT's mission.
• Project Management: Oversee new CLT developments, ensuring they are within budget and meet objectives. Manage relationships with nonprofit and for-profit housing developers and participate in development activities, including acquisitions, negotiations, and evaluations of development opportunities.
• Funding and Financial Management: Oversee finances of CLT projects. This includes preparing and analyzing cost estimates, identifying cost-effective alternatives, monitoring expenditures against the project plan, approving payments, submitting funding requests in line with authorized budgets, and securing funding for operational and housing project needs.
• Construction Oversight: In collaboration with construction management staff, manage all aspects of construction projects, including monitoring project progress, making key decisions within authority limits, and negotiating contract modifications. The manager also serves as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, contractors, and consultants, ensuring projects align with contracts and resolving any conflicts or issues that arise.
• Performing other duties and activities as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities Supervises one or more employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education The job requires a bachelor’s degree in Community Development, Public Administration, Business, Planning, or a related field. Educational qualifications may be waived depending on work history and experience. 

Experience and Understanding Five or more years of related experience and/or training in affordable housing, project management, real estate finance, real estate development, and/or homeownership programs. A minimum of three years in a management position is required. Experience in developing budgets and business plans. In-depth knowledge of real estate finance, project management, and affordable housing regulations and funding programs with a demonstrated passion for affordable housing and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the field.

Commitment Skills Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure and is adept at multitasking while maintaining accountability for complete and timely work performance. Demonstrates strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills with a proven track record of successful real estate development projects, preferably in the affordable housing sector.

Communication Skills Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Language Skills Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. Bilingual (fluent in Spanish) is preferred.

Finance Ability Strong financial acumen and ability to analyze complex financial models and investment structures.

Reasoning Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Property Management Software; Database software; Internet software; CRM Software, Adobe Software, and Microsoft Suite Software.

Professional Licenses, Certificates, and Registrations Valid Michigan Driver’s License; Project Management Certification; Michigan Real Estate License; Michigan Broker License preferred.

Other Skills and Abilities Masterful organizational and leadership skills, backed by previous professional success and demonstrated ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and maintain compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Other Qualifications Must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed to complete the requirements of the position. Must be able to travel as required for the position.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. 

Competencies To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

General Competency - To contribute to the Dwelling Place mission, each employee must possess skills beyond the technical requirements for the position. An employee must also demonstrate the ability and capacity to work with others in a manner that fosters trust, cooperation, and a positive team esprit de corps. Dwelling Place expects each employee to maintain high ethical standards in their interactions with customers, other staff, vendors, and the public generally. Dwelling Place employees are also expected to be dependable, to be respectful of others, to use sound judgment, to seek out new opportunities for learning, and to communicate effectively with others. 

Employees must abide by all Dwelling Place policies including but not limited to the Dwelling Place Code of Ethics and personnel policies. 

Marketing Skills - Achieves marketing goals; Overcomes objections with persuasion and persistence; Initiates new contacts; Maintains customer satisfaction; Maintains records and promptly submits information.

Use of Technology/Equipment - Demonstrates required skills; Adapts to new technologies or equipment; Troubleshoots technological problems; Uses technology/equipment to increase productivity; Keeps technical skills up to date.

Job Knowledge - Competent in required job skills and knowledge; Exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; Keeps abreast of current developments; Requires minimal supervision; Displays understanding of how job relates to others; Uses resources wisely. Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and codes relating to projects and programs

Problem-Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem-solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating, and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self-available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products, and services.; Continually works to improve supervisory skills; Fosters cooperation; Defines team roles and responsibilities; Supports group problem solving; Acknowledges team accomplishments.

Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost-saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.

Quantity - Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity.

Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions.

Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.