Director of Real Estate Development

Description

Are you passionate about building vibrant communities and expanding access to quality homes? Avesta Housing is seeking a dynamic Director of Real Estate Development to lead affordable and market-rate housing projects across Maine and New Hampshire.

In this leadership role, you’ll oversee a skilled development team, manage projects from concept to completion, and collaborate with partners to deliver impactful new construction and rehabilitation initiatives. Your expertise in affordable housing finance, project management, and strategic planning will help drive Avesta’s mission to create and maintain quality, affordable homes.

This role is ideal if you:

• Enjoy leading and mentoring teams to achieve ambitious goals
• Have deep experience in real estate development and creative financing
• Thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
• Want to make a meaningful impact on communities and residents

About Avesta Housing 

Avesta Housing is a local leader in housing development, property management, and assisted living solutions. Founded in 1972, our nonprofit organization serves individuals and families in need of quality affordable housing in Maine and New Hampshire.

What it’s Like to Work Here 

Our team members have positive attitudes, are creative problem-solvers, and share a dedication to housing equity and inclusion for all. Our shared commitment to improving the lives of others and strengthening our communities through affordable housing gives us purpose and inspires our best work. Our workplace culture and continuous opportunities for growth have resulted in Avesta Housing being a popular place to work.

Our employees selected Avesta Housing as a 2025 Best Places to Work in Maine because of our opportunities for career advancement, friendly workplace culture, impressive benefits and compensation, responsive managers, and company values!

What We're Looking For

The person who is ready for this opportunity will generally offer these attributes: 

• Strong understanding of real estate finance, development regulations, and public funding programs. 
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills; able to manage competing priorities and deadlines. 
• Strong analytical and financial modeling ability. 
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including negotiation and presentation abilities. 
• Collaborative, inclusive, and mission-oriented leadership style. 
• Ability to work independently while fostering a team-based environment. 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Real Estate Development, Urban Planning, Business, or related field required. 
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in affordable housing or mixed-use real estate development, with responsibility for multiple concurrent projects. 
• Demonstrated success managing complex affordable housing projects through all phases of development. 
• Experience with public and private financing sources including LIHTC, Historic Tax Credits, HOME, CDBG, and conventional debt. 
• Supervisory or team leadership experience required; additional experience mentoring staff preferred. 
• Prior experience in nonprofit, mission-driven, and/or community development settings strongly 
• preferred. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant project management or financial software. 
• Professional certifications in real estate development, construction management, or affordable housing (e.g., HCCP, CPM, CCIM, or equivalent) preferred. 
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites and partner meetings required. 

Click HERE to view the full Director of Real Estate Development job description.

This is an exempt, full-time (37.5 hours/week) position, and the annual salary range is $125,000 - $140,000.

While the Director of Real Estate Development’s work may be performed from home, the person in this role is also expected to maintain a presence at our main office, located at 307 Cumberland Avenue, Portland, Maine, and other sites as needed. Occasional travel in Maine and New Hampshire may be required.

Benefits

We have excellent employee benefits, including: 

• Employer-paid health and dental plans for employees;
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts;
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with immediate vested match of up to 6%;
• Employer-paid basic life, long-term and short-term disability;
• Free wellness services for benefits-eligible employees and their dependents;
• 13 paid holidays;
• Up to 8 weeks paid parental leave;
• Generous earned time, starting with 22 days in first year of employment;
• Professional development assistance;
• Employee referral bonus program; and
• Tuition reimbursement

Ready to Apply? 

If this job sounds like a fit for you, please click through to our Employment Application. A resume that tells us how your experience is relevant to this role is required.

Salary : $125,000 - $140,000