Vice President, Residential Real Estate Development (DD)

Heartshare Human Services is seeking a Vice President of Residential Development (Developmental Disabilities) to lead the transformation of our OPWDD residential portfolio. This role is responsible for designing and delivering the next generation of residential programs, homes that support aging in place, promote dignity and independence through universal design, and meet the evolving needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. The Vice President will lead the strategic exit from aging, inefficient, or noncompliant residences while developing modern, sustainable homes that preserve and expand bed capacity and strengthen long-term program viability.

Primary Responsibilities And Essential Functions Of Position

Portfolio Strategy and Development Pipeline

• Lead the agency’s new OPWDD residential development initiatives, coordinating closely with internal departments and external partners.
• Develop and directly manage a rolling 18–24-month acquisition and transition pipeline, including clearly defined outcomes, business cases, milestones, and timelines.
• Prepare materials for senior leadership and the Board of Directors summarizing risk, budget, schedule, compliance, and programmatic fit.
• Partner closely with Real Estate/Facilities & Maintenance, DD Residential leadership, Quality Assurance (QA), Finance, Legal, and Community and Government Relations.
• Preserve and expand bed capacity within budget and regulatory requirements, while ensuring continuity of care and minimizing disruption to individuals and programs during transitions.
  
  

Site Selection, Municipal Process, and State Approvals

• Build and manage a broker and partner network to source and evaluate potential residential sites, including saturation analysis and required due diligence.
• Establish and manage critical paths with OPWDD from letter of intent through occupancy for new and relocated programs.
• Coordinate with the Real Estate Strategy & Systems Department on title, survey, Phase I environmental reviews, zoning analysis, architectural test fits, and preliminary cost estimates.
• In coordination with internal and external legal counsel, prepare and negotiate letters of intent and track transactions through lease execution or purchase and sale.
• Lead and coordinate required municipal notice and community engagement processes, including outreach to community boards and elected officials.
• Coordinate with Real Estate, Facilities, and other stakeholders to deliver projects on schedule and within approved budgets.
• Prepare and submit complete OPWDD applications and coordinate inspections and approvals, including DQI.
• Ensure all sites meet OPWDD, HCBS, accessibility, life-safety, and integrated community living standards.
  
  

Individual-Centered Planning and Program Alignment

• Partner closely with DD Residential leadership, program teams, clinical staff, and Quality Assurance to ensure residential development decisions address the current and future needs of the individuals that we serve.
• Collaborate with programs to identify individual profiles, including mobility, aging, medical, behavioral, and support needs and ensure alignment between individuals and appropriate residential locations.
• Incorporate aging-in-place principles and universal design to support long-term stability, minimize future relocations, and enhance quality of life.
• Ensure that transitions, relocations, and new placements are planned and executed in a manner that prioritizes individual choice, dignity, continuity of care, and emotional well-being.
• Work with program leadership to sequence transitions thoughtfully, ensuring staffing models, clinical supports, and environmental adaptations are in place prior to occupancy.
• Utilize data, program input, and forward-looking needs assessments to inform residential design, site selection, and portfolio strategy.
• Ensure all residential development and transition activities align with OPWDD and HCBS requirements related to person-centered planning and integrated community living.
  
  

Transactions, Transitions, and Operational Readiness

• Partner with Residential leadership to plan decanting, relocations, and move-ins in a manner that avoids service disruption.
• Assess the impact of renovations, relocations, or program closures on individuals and staff and implement contingency plans to minimize disruption.
• In collaboration with Quality Assurance, execute licensing and compliance readiness checklists for the opening, transition, and closing of residential program sites.
  
  

Budget, Funding, and Schedule Management

• Ensure proper OPWDD approvals and documentation to support full reimbursement of allowable costs, including compliance with the PPA process.
• Coordinate with Finance and Fiscal teams to ensure appropriate project budgeting, cash flow, and financial tracking.
• Identify and pursue supplemental capital sources, when appropriate, in partnership with Development and Finance.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators and conduct post-project reviews to continuously improve cost control, scheduling, quality, and overall development processes.
  
  

Stakeholder and Community Engagement

• In coordination with relevant departments, manage communications with municipal partners, community stakeholders, families, and internal leadership.
• Represent HeartShare Human Services with professionalism, clarity, and confidence at public meetings, hearings, and agency forums.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from four year college or equivalent required
• Master’s degree in real estate, business or public administration, planning, or related field preferred
• Minimum 7 years of progressively senior experience in NYC real estate acquisitions, affordable or special needs housing development, or regulated residential development, with a demonstrated record closing transactions, coordinating due diligence and design, delivering multi- site pipelines, and preparing materials for senior leadership and boards.
• Experience with OPWDD, DOH settings or other regulated residential environments strongly preferred
• Knowledge of ADA Accessibility housing and Universal Design standards preferred
• Strong negotiation skills for letters of intent, , and purchase and sale agreements
• Financial modeling and capital budgeting skills
• Vendor and broker management experience with clear performance expectations
• Fluency with zoning basics, environmental and building due diligence, construction sequencing, and schedule control
• Ability to collaborate effectively across Residential Services, Real Estate & Facilities, QA, Finance, Development/Communications and Legal teams
• A proven track record of planning and execution throughout the project life cycle.
• Strong written and verbal communications
  
  

Benefits 

At HeartShare we offer a comprehensive benefit package based on full-time status. You can expect: 

• Rewarding Work in a team environment.
• Paid vacation, sick, personal days, and holidays.
• 403(B) retirement plans with employer contribution.
• Health, dental, vision and life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Flexible spending account (Dependent Care, Medical, Parking, and Transit).
• Employee Appreciation Programs and Events.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Professional Development opportunities.
• Wellhub Discount
  
  

HeartShare is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). If you need to request accommodation during the recruiting process, please reach out to Leaves@heartshare.org.

About Heartshare

Who WE ARE:

For over 150 years, Heartshare has been dedicated to championing and empowering New Yorkers society has too often overlooked and underestimated.

To learn more about HeartShare, please visit our website at www.heartshare.org or Follow us on Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Facebook

HeartShare Human Services of New York | Homepage

HeartShare Human Services of New York nurtures and empowers children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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