Director - Affordable Housing Practice

Job Description

ABOUT US | HR&A Advisors is a top real estate and economic development consulting firm. We provide strategic advisory services for clients in the public, private, and non-profit sectors to solve some of the most complex challenges of urban development. Our projects range in scale from buildings to neighborhoods, public parks to infrastructure systems, and from program design and management to public policy development and implementation. We care about improving the quality of urban life, and we are increasingly focused on the challenges of inclusivity, infrastructure, and technological innovation in cities as we advance public-private development projects that improve economic, environmental, and social outcomes.

We are former public servants, real estate developers, urban planners, city officials, activists, and economists. We are unique in our ability to create value by integrating disparate disciplines for our clients, and we often lead teams with engineers, architects, lawyers, community organizers, and other specialists.

THE ROLE | We are seeking Director candidates with a passion for addressing housing affordability challenges to work closely with the HR&A Partner-in-Charge to advance the field of practice. HR&A’s housing affordability practice works with cities, advocates, developers and housing authorities across the country to understand their housing challenges and develop effective solutions.

The successful candidate will have a(n):

• Passion for housing affordability, community development and inclusive communities overall;
• Familiarity with local housing policy tools (e.g. inclusionary zoning, preservation loan funds, by-right development, etc.) and emerging housing challenges;
• Grasp of the development process, real estate economics and the ability to draft and read develop project financials;
• Ability to engage with local officials and community leaders on complex housing policy issues;
• Desire to help build the housing affordability practice by leading engagements, training staff and advancing thought leadership;
• Broader interest in HR&A’s work to address the most pressing challenges facing cities.

Day-to-day tasks will require managing internal and external teams to complete housing market analysis, leading stakeholder engagement activities, and evaluating the economic feasibility of housing policies including pro forma analysis for a range of uses, market feasibility research, business planning, public-private partnership strategy, and public policy design. The Director will review and present deliverables to clients, including memos, reports and PowerPoint presentations; and will support the firm’s marketing and client engagement efforts.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED | Candidates must have a bachelors degree and a minimum of five years of work experience in affordable housing, economic development, real estate, public policy and/or consulting in a related field. Candidates should also have a Master’s Degree, preferably in real estate, city planning, economic development, public policy, and/or business.  Considerable additional experience in a closely-related field may also be substituted for a graduate degree. 

In addition to considerable experience in affordable housing, real estate and economic analysis, the candidate must also possess substantial project management experience in affordable housing, real estate or economic development; excellent writing and presentation skills; and mentorship capabilities.  The successful candidate will be a highly motivated independent thinker with sufficient poise for direct client interaction. The most successful candidates will show potential for rapid professional growth.

COMPENSATION | We offer competitive compensation packages, based on qualifications and experience.  We are an employee-owned company, meaning you will have the opportunity to benefit from the firm’s growth over time through participation in our Employee Stock Options Plan. Each year, the firm will contribute funds to this long-term wealth-building account, and may make contributions to other retirement accounts. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package that goes well beyond coverage of 90-95% of healthcare premiums, dental and vision coverage.

HOW TO APPLY | HR&A is committed to attracting and retaining a talented, diverse, competitive team of professionals dedicated to solving the challenges of urban life. Women, people of color, members of the LGBT community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document (maximum of 2 pages) online at HR&A's website. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications without a cover lever will be discarded.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

Please do not call regarding this position.