Developer

Fairstead; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairstead is seeking a Developer, Development, Affordable Housing to lead the lifecycle of affordable housing projects from underwriting through stabilization and 8609s. This role reports to development leadership and requires strong leadership and the ability to assemble teams.

You will coordinate due diligence, review reports, manage budgets and pro formas, handle government subsidies, and engage with financiers, public agencies, and communities to advance projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 7 years in real estate development and/or construction, preferably affordable housing.
• LIHTC, Section 8 and Public Housing development experience strongly preferred.
• Strong quantitative, financial analysis and modeling (Excel) skills.
• Exceptional research and writing abilities and strong communication skills.
• Strong project management and ability to multi-task in a dynamic environment.
• Some travel required.

Responsibilities

• Manage the lifecycle of affordable housing developments from underwriting through stabilization and 8609s.
• Demonstrate leadership, mentor staff, and contribute to team growth.
• Prepare investment materials and present to development leadership.
• Compile due diligence including financial, market, site, and regulatory data.
• Review third-party reports and discuss issues with stakeholders.
• Coordinate community meetings and government approvals.
• Oversee pro formas, budgets, schedules, and underwriting assumptions.
• Support debt/equity financing applications and government subsidy renewals.
• Analyze schedule delays, cost overruns, and contracts; manage design/construction issues.
• Involve in contract negotiation and review of legal documents.
• Lead internal teams and external consultants through design to construction documents.
• Perform pre-development work on architectural/engineering issues and zoning.
• Supervise personnel and provide others as needed.

Skills

Financial analysis

Excel modeling

Project management

Written communications

Verbal communications

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Fairstead is a purpose-driven real estate firm dedicated to building affordable communities across the country. Headquartered in New York, with offices in Colorado, Florida, and Washington DC, Fairstead owns and manages a portfolio of more than 30,000 apartments, including pipeline, across 28 states. As an integrated owner, operator, and innovator, Fairstead brings development, construction, and property management under one unified platform to deliver high-quality affordable housing that serves our residents at scale.

At Fairstead, we believe affordable housing should be thoughtfully designed, professionally managed, and responsibly operated. We seek to create and preserve housing that serves residents while delivering long‑term value to communities, partners, and stakeholders.

Fairstead challenges industry norms through our tech‑forward, entrepreneurial approach to affordable housing. In addition to core real estate capabilities, we operate innovative service lines designed to improve resident outcomes, strengthen communities, and drive operational efficiency. We embrace digital transformation, data‑driven decision‑making, and emerging technologies, including AI, to build scalable systems that support sustainable growth, grounded in a culture of entrepreneurship, innovation, partnership, dedication, and integrity.

The Developer, Development, Affordable Housing, supports all aspects of affordable housing acquisitions, rehabilitation and development (Section 8, Pubic Housing, LITHC, etc.) in core markets across the US. The Developer will report to development leadership.

Responsibilities

• Manage the lifecycle of multiple affordable housing development projects from initial underwriting, through closing to stabilization and 8609s.
• Demonstrate strong leadership and team‑building qualities, mentoring junior staff and contributing to the continued growth and development of the team.
• Make substantial contributions to analysis that will inform the firm’s investment decisions, prepare and present investment materials to development leadership.
• Compilation of due diligence information including financial, market, site, and regulatory data.
• Order and review third‑party reports, including plan and cost reviews and environmental reports, and discuss any pertinent issues with the appropriate parties.
• Coordinate and lead community meetings and governmental approval processes.
• Manage project pro formas including budgets, schedule, timing, and underwriting assumptions.
• Completion of applications and documentation necessary for debt and equity financing, property purchase and sale, and government subsidy renewal.
• Support detailed analyses of project schedule delays, cost overruns, productivity, contracts, change orders and other issues related to design and construction.
• Involvement in contract negotiation and review of legal documentation for each project.
• Validation and support of budgets, assumptions, and pro‑forma analysis.
• Build, coordinate and lead internal team members and external consultants through conceptual design and entitlements leading to construction documents.
• Perform, coordinate, and lead pre‑development work such as preliminary architectural and engineering issues, zoning issues, local government and community support.
• Supervise personnel including team associates and analysts, and others as appropriate.
• Perform other related duties and support development leadership as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field, advanced degree is a positive.
• 7 years of experience in real estate development and/or construction, preferably affordable housing or multifamily.
• LIHTC, Section 8 and Public Housing development experience strongly preferred.
• Strong quantitative, financial analysis and modeling (Excel) skills.
• Exceptional research and writing abilities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills.
• Strong project management skills and follow‑through.
• Ability to multi‑task and prioritize appropriately in a constantly changing environment and act with a sense of urgency and accountability.
• Highly driven and values entrepreneurialism; works well within ambiguity.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Sound judgement.
• Some travel required.

Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

Salary Range

$160,000 - $180,000 USD

Diversity in backgrounds and experiences is key to Fairstead’s success. Being an equal opportunity employer is a central tenet of our philosophy that shapes who we are and the communities we serve. Our goal is to ensure competitive total compensation that is commensurate with experience, location, and other market benchmarks.

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