Director of Real Estate Development

CARE Housing Inc.; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

CARE Communities is seeking an experienced real estate development leader to advance our mission of creating thriving Northern Colorado communities. The Director will shape development strategy, manage the project pipeline, and collaborate with leadership, staff, and external partners.

We focus on affordable housing, rehabilitation, and partnership-based developments, balancing strategic leadership with hands-on involvement to ensure successful outcomes across multiple projects and teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, urban planning, business administration, finance, or related field preferred.
• Experience in real estate development with affordable housing finance and development processes.
• Experience advancing affordable housing through multiple phases.
• Experience leading and developing staff; direct supervision preferred.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Advance development and preservation opportunities aligned with CARE’s mission, financial capacity, and organizational priorities.
• Guide projects from feasibility and acquisition through financing, design, construction, and transition to operations.
• Develop financing strategies, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and public funding.
• Build and maintain relationships with municipalities, lenders, investors, landowners, nonprofit partners, and community stakeholders.
• Lead negotiations and evaluate project risks, budgets, schedules, and major commitments in collaboration with the Executive Director and organization leadership.
• Coordinate staff and consultants, establish clear project responsibilities, and support effective teamwork and professional growth.
• Collaborate with Property Operations and Resident Services to incorporate resident needs and long-term operating considerations into development decisions.
• Provide clear project updates and recommendations to CARE leadership and the Real Estate Development Committee.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Communication

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in real estate, urban planning, business administration, finance, or related field

Job description

CARE Communities is seeking an experienced, collaborative real estate development leader to help advance our mission of creating thriving communities in Northern Colorado. This is an opportunity to guide new development and preservation initiatives, build strong partnerships, and help shape the next chapter of CARE’s development work.

Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a member of CARE’s leadership team, the Director of Real Estate Development will lead CARE’s development strategy and project pipeline, working closely with development and leadership staff, and external partners.

Our work includes new affordable housing, rehabilitation and preservation of existing communities, and partnership-based developments. The Director will balance strategic leadership with direct involvement appropriate to project needs and department capacity.

Key areas of responsibility

• Advance development and preservation opportunities aligned with CARE’s mission, financial capacity, and organizational priorities.
• Guide projects from early feasibility and acquisition through financing, design, construction, and transition to operations.
• Develop financing strategies and coordinate affordable housing funding applications, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and public funding.
• Build and maintain relationships with municipalities, lenders, investors, landowners, nonprofit partners, and community stakeholders.
• Lead key negotiations and evaluate project risks, budgets, schedules, and major commitments in collaboration with the Executive Director and organization leadership.
• Coordinate staff and consultants, establish clear project responsibilities, and support effective teamwork and professional growth.
• Collaborate with Property Operations and Resident Services to incorporate resident needs and long-term operating considerations into development decisions.
• Provide clear project updates and recommendations to CARE leadership and the Real Estate Development Committee.

What we’re looking for

• A commitment to CARE’s mission, values, and collaborative approach.
• Relevant experience in real estate development, with a strong understanding of affordable housing finance and development processes.
• Experience advancing affordable housing developments through multiple phases, from early feasibility and financing through construction and transition to operations.
• Experience developing or coordinating affordable housing financing strategies, including low-income housing tax credits and public funding.
• Experience leading and developing staff or project teams. Direct staff supervision is preferred.
• Sound judgment, strong communication and negotiation skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A bachelor’s degree in real estate, urban planning, business administration, finance, or a related field is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will also be considered.

Compensation

• The anticipated annual salary range is
  $100,000–$117,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
• CARE provides a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our investment in our team, with generous paid time off, retirement contributions, health and wellness benefits, stipends, and opportunities for professional development.

About CARE Communities

Founded in 1992, CARE Communities is a nonprofit affordable housing organization based in Fort Collins, Colorado, with a mission to create thriving communities throughout Northern Colorado. We develop, preserve, and manage affordable rental housing while connecting residents with services and opportunities that support their well-being. Across eight communities, CARE provides 440 apartments serving approximately 1,000 residents.