As a national leader in the fields of affordable housing and community development, the mission of San Francisco’s Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) is to support San Franciscans with affordable housing opportunities and essential services to build strong communities. Our programs create and preserve affordable housing, protect vulnerable residents, and empower communities and neighborhoods. We center all of our work in a racial equity framework.

We are industry leaders in financing the development, rehabilitation and preservation of affordable housing.  Through our financing, we strengthen the social, physical and economic infrastructure of San Francisco’s low-income neighborhoods and communities in need. We actively collaborate with community-based organizations, non-profits, affordable housing developers, and other City agencies and staff, in our pursuit of a more equitable and affordable San Francisco.  In our hiring practices, we strive to build teams that reflect the diversity of our City and the populations we serve, and we urge qualified candidates of all races, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity to apply.  

MOHCD seeks a highly- experienced and dynamic individual to join its leadership team as the Director of Housing Development. This position serves a critical function in San Francisco’s effort to produce affordable multi-family housing. It offers an opportunity to engage in all aspects of housing development and policy, and operates within a fast-moving, exciting, and challenging environment. The preferred candidate demonstrates a deep commitment to affordable housing and brings expertise in management, real estate finance (with particular expertise in affordable housing financing), multi-family development/construction, racial equity, and community-building.

Under the direction of the MOHCD Deputy Director for Housing, the Director of Housing Development manages MOHCD’s multi-family production programs for infill opportunities.

While managing a team of 4-6 project managers and other housing development professionals, the Director of Housing Development is responsible for the successful implementation of MOHCD’s infill new construction program, including:

• site acquisition strategy for new construction opportunities;
• project underwriting;
• loan closings and permanent financing conversions;
• administration of operating subsidy programs such as the Local Operating Subsidy Program and Senior Operating Subsidy Program;
• updates to and maintenance of MOHCD’s housing development budget, in collaboration with colleagues;

The Director of Housing Development will also be responsible for developing loan policies, programs, and processes for the larger Multifamily Team, which includes major development areas, multiphase projects, and joint development projects with other City departments. Tasks include:

• integration of MOHCD financing with external public and private lenders;
• development and administration of project administration/management policies and procedures;
• managing approval processes, which may include internal, multi-department, and Board of Supervisors approvals;
• development and implementation of training and onboarding opportunities for project management team on project admin policies and procedures;
• development and implementation of procedures to assure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, in collaboration with colleagues.

Qualifications and Experience: Positions in the 0904 classification are responsible for management and leadership of complex and interdisciplinary team activities requiring high level strategic, monitoring, planning, and data and evaluation capabilities. While supervised by the Deputy for Housing, the Director of Housing Development will collaborate closely with Housing’s Preservation Team, Asset Management Team, and Joint Development Teams. Desired qualifications include:

·         Ten years’ direct experience developing affordable housing, preferably in California, with a demonstrated career path of increasing levels of responsibility.

·         Possession of a Juris Doctor degree or a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a real estate-related, planning, public policy, finance, or other relevant field (this educational qualification is strongly preferred; successful candidates may substitute additional work experience).

·         Direct experience financing affordable housing production, including personal responsibility for submission of multiple low-income housing tax credit applications, tax-exempt bond applications, and state funding applications (e.g., the California Housing and Community Development Department’s Multifamily Housing, Transit-Oriented Development, and Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Programs).

·         Direct experience closing construction and permanent loans with conventional lenders and deep knowledge of loan underwriting and administration requirements.

·         Direct experience negotiating and administering tax credit limited partnership agreements.

·         Demonstrated ability to produce an affordable housing proforma on deadline for fast-paced feasibility analyses.

·         Direct experience working on mixed-income housing developments and knowledge of market-rate financing and underwriting.

·         Demonstrated ability to structure a housing development program from inception to completion.

·         Strong knowledge of and experience with CDBG, HOME, HUD capital programs, Housing Choice Vouchers, PBRA, and other rental subsidy programs.

·         Strong knowledge of and experience in construction and design protocols for affordable housing and the management of contractors and design professionals.

·         Expertise in technical assistance areas, such as relocation, environmental reviews, property appraisals, purchase and sales contracts, title/escrow, insurance, historic preservation, supportive services funding and delivery, and disability access.

·         Excellent management skills and a demonstrated ability to successfully mentor, encourage and inspire housing project managers and other junior staff.

·         Excellent organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to coordinate and oversee the work of multiple subordinate staff members, each of whom is responsible for the management and administration of multiple, deadline-focused projects.

·         Excellent verbal, writing, and presentation skills for diverse audiences, e.g., the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, community and neighborhood groups, industry professionals, interdepartmental collaborations, and the press.

·         A demonstrated ability to successfully engage with community groups, to participate in community building, and to resolve complex problems involving constituencies that may be in conflict; (most community meetings require attendance during evening hours).

·         Proficiency in operating computers using Windows-based programs, including word processing, spreadsheet and database software in a standard office environment.

·         Ability to drive an automobile (and possession of a valid California driver’s license) and to conduct on-site walking inspections, which often requires climbing stairs.

Positions in the 0904 classification are responsible for management and leadership of complex and interdisciplinary team activities requiring high level strategic, monitoring, planning, and data and evaluation capabilities. While supervised by the Deputy for Housing, the Director of Housing Development will collaborate closely with Housing’s Preservation Team, Asset Management Team, and Joint Development Teams. Desired qualifications include:

• Ten years’ direct experience developing affordable housing, preferably in California, with a demonstrated career path of increasing levels of responsibility.
• Possession of a Juris Doctor degree or a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a real estate-related, planning, public policy, finance, or other relevant field (this educational qualification is strongly preferred; successful candidates may substitute additional work experience).
• Direct experience financing affordable housing production, including personal responsibility for submission of multiple low-income housing tax credit applications, tax-exempt bond applications, and state funding applications (e.g., the California Housing and Community Development Department’s Multifamily Housing, Transit-Oriented Development, and Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Programs).
•  Direct experience closing construction and permanent loans with conventional lenders and deep knowledge of loan underwriting and administration requirements.
• Direct experience negotiating and administering tax credit limited partnership agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to produce an affordable housing proforma on deadline for fast-paced feasibility analyses.
• Direct experience working on mixed-income housing developments and knowledge of market-rate financing and underwriting.
• Demonstrated ability to structure a housing development program from inception to completion.
• Strong knowledge of and experience with CDBG, HOME, HUD capital programs, Housing Choice Vouchers, PBRA, and other rental subsidy programs.
• Strong knowledge of and experience in construction and design protocols for affordable housing and the management of contractors and design professionals.
• Expertise in technical assistance areas, such as relocation, environmental reviews, property appraisals, purchase and sales contracts, title/escrow, insurance, historic preservation, supportive services funding and delivery, and disability access.
• Excellent management skills and a demonstrated ability to successfully mentor, encourage and inspire housing project managers and other junior staff.
• Excellent organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to coordinate and oversee the work of multiple subordinate staff members, each of whom is responsible for the management and administration of multiple, deadline-focused projects.
• San Francisco Board of Supervisors, community and neighborhood groups, industry professionals, interdepartmental collaborations, and the press.
• A demonstrated ability to successfully engage with community groups, to participate in community building, and to resolve complex problems involving constituencies that may be in conflict; (most community meetings require attendance during evening hours).
• Proficiency in operating computers using Windows-based programs, including word processing, spreadsheet and database software in a standard office environment.
• Ability to drive an automobile (and possession of a valid California driver’s license) and to conduct on-site walking inspections, which often requires climbing stairs.

In line with the Official Public Health Order to slow the spread of COVID-19, “shelter-in-place” has been issued for all San Francisco residents that is expected to be in effect until further notice. As a result, Department of Human Resources (DHR)’s office (located at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103) is currently closed to the general public. If you have any questions, please feel free to email the Exam Analyst listed at the end this job ad.

Specific information regarding this recruitment process are listed below:

Online application available on: Tuesday, May 10, 2022 

Classification - 0903 - Mayoral Staff XV

Salary $131,534- $167,882

Filling Deadline - Friday, June 10, 2022  - 12:01am

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.