Housing Development Associate II

CommonBond Communities; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

CommonBond Communities is seeking a Housing Development Associate II to support affordable housing projects in Saint Paul, MN. You will assist with due diligence, budgets, financing, and coordination with partners to advance construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, and recapitalization.

Applicants should have 3+ years in real estate development or related fields and a Bachelor’s degree. You will analyze feasibility, prepare financial models, manage schedules, and engage residents throughout

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, urban planning, finance, or related field.
• 3+ years of progressive real estate development, affordable housing, or project management experience.
• Strong financial modeling and analysis skills; experience with tax credits is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support project management and development efforts for affordable housing projects.
• Conduct due diligence, feasibility analysis, and funding applications.
• Prepare financial analyses, budgets, cash flows, and pro formas.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to advance projects.
• Engage with residents and oversee development communications where needed.

Skills

Project management

Financial analysis

Communication

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree (real estate or related)

Tools

Excel

MS Project

Job description

Central Office
1080 Montreal Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55116, USA

Description

Summary

Under the direction of the Director of Acquisitions & Development and other senior A&D staff, the Housing Development Associate II supports and manages key aspects of affordable housing development projects, including new construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, preservation, and recapitalization.

The Associate II independently manages defined components of complex projects and may lead lower-complexity projects with oversight from a Senior Project Manager or Director. Responsibilities include project coordination, financial analysis, due diligence, financing and funding activities, construction coordination, and resident engagement, working closely with internal departments and external development partners.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND ASSOCIATED TASKS

Project Management and Development

The Housing Development Associate II provides project management and development support to Project Managers and Directors and assumes direct responsibility for assigned project activities and lower-complexity projects.

• Conduct and coordinate site and project due diligence, including highest and best use analysis, development feasibility, planning and zoning reviews, and review and coordination of legal, environmental, market, physical needs, and other project information.
• Prepare and maintain financial analyses, including development budgets, operating pro formas, working capital needs, sources and uses, multi-year cash flow projections, and other project financial models.
• Coordinate input from internal departments, including Property Management, Asset Management, Advantage Services, Accounting, Portfolio Strategy, and others, throughout project planning and implementation.
• Prepare and submit applications for funding to state, local, federal, and other funding providers, coordinating required information and managing application deadlines.
• Prepare project approval memos, financial analyses, presentations, and supporting materials and present project information and recommendations for internal review and approval.
• Participate in and, as appropriate, lead meetings with city staff, elected officials, neighborhood groups, community organizations, funders, and other stakeholders necessary to advance projects and obtain required approvals and support.
• Lead or coordinate community and resident engagement activities associated with assigned projects.
• Coordinate the activities of development teams that may include the owner, architect, general contractor, attorney, lenders, investors, consultants, internal staff, and public funding partners.
• Support and, as assigned, lead components of debt and equity financing, including lender and investor due diligence, financing applications, document review, closing requirements, and coordination of project closings.
• Manage assigned project schedules, budgets, deliverables, and critical deadlines and identify issues that could affect project cost, schedule, financing, or implementation.
• Maintain accurate project records and prepare project updates, presentations, briefing materials, and status reports for internal and external audiences.
• Manage lower-complexity development, acquisition, rehabilitation, or recapitalization projects with oversight from a Senior Project Manager or Director.

Resident Communication, Engagement and Support

Lead and coordinate resident communication and engagement activities for assigned rehabilitation and construction projects, working closely with Asset Management, Property Management, Advantage Services, and other project partners to support a positive resident experience throughout construction.

• Develop and coordinate resident communication and engagement plans, including notices, construction updates, resident meetings, and accessible and translated materials.
• Serve as a primary development team contact for resident questions and concerns related to construction activities, ensuring issues are documented, appropriately escalated, and followed through to resolution.
• Coordinate with Asset Management, Property Management, Advantage Services, General Contractors, relocation consultants, and other project partners to anticipate resident impacts, address concerns, and minimize construction-related disruptions.
• Coordinate resident relocations and temporary accommodations when required, including schedules, notices, reimbursements, documentation, and communication with residents and project partners.
• Identify accessibility needs, safety concerns, or other resident issues requiring additional attention and coordinate appropriate responses and accommodations with the project team.
• Help ensure project activities comply with applicable resident notice, privacy, access, relocation, and other requirements.
• Identify recurring resident concerns or construction impacts and work with the project team to develop solutions and improve communication and coordination.

Construction Management and Support

Provide construction-related project management and coordination in partnership with the Owner’s Representative, CommonBond Project Managers, General Contractors, and other project team members during rehabilitation and new construction.

• Monitor construction schedules, milestones, budgets, and outstanding issues in coordination with the Owner’s Representative and Project Manager.
• Participate in construction meetings, project walk-throughs, inspections, and other construction-related activities and represent CommonBond on assigned project matters as appropriate.
• Coordinate information, decisions, and follow‑up among the Owner’s Representative, Project Manager, General Contractor, architect, consultants, Property Management, and other project partners.
• Review and process construction draws and monitor development and construction expenditures against approved budgets.
• Track construction issues, change orders, outstanding decisions, and completion items and work with project partners to facilitate timely resolution.
• Assist with review and coordination of project changes that may affect budget, schedule, resident impact, or project scope and elevate significant issues as appropriate.
• Coordinate project closeout activities, including completion and punch‑list tracking, turnover to Property Management, warranties, project documentation, and other required closeout items.
• Manage post‑construction activities, including monitoring lease‑up, coordinating equity installments, completing initial tax credit reporting requirements, and supporting transition of completed projects to ongoing operations and Asset Management.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assess the feasibility of proposed projects and opportunities against CommonBond's project selection criteria, identify key risks and opportunities, and make recommendations regarding next steps.
• Support the Director and Project Managers in evaluating development, acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation, and recapitalization opportunities.
• Participate in networking organizations, conferences, industry events, and community meetings to develop and maintain relationships with affordable housing partners and expand knowledge of industry practices and programs.
• Maintain accurate and timely reporting of project status, financial information, schedules, risks, and other critical A&D department information.
• Identify and help implement improvements to internal tools, processes, project management practices, and cross‑departmental coordination.
• Provide guidance and support to less‑experienced team members on project processes, tools, and assigned activities as appropriate.
• Prioritize workload and independently manage activities and deadlines across multiple projects.
• Complete other related projects and duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

Education:
Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in real estate, urban planning, business administration, finance, public administration, political science, or a closely related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Experience:
3+ years of progressively responsible experience in real estate development, affordable housing, construction, project management, finance, planning, community development, or a related field. Affordable multifamily housing development experience, including experience with Low‑Income Housing Tax Credits and other public or private affordable housing financing programs, is preferred.

Skills

• Strong ability to conduct research, analyze complex information, identify issues and risks, and develop and communicate recommendations.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including experience preparing or reviewing development budgets, operating pro formas, sources and uses, and other real estate financial analyses.
• Ability to interpret and implement requirements of municipal, state, federal, lender, investor, and affordable housing programs.
• Working knowledge of real estate development and finance concepts, including debt, equity, tax credits, public funding, and other affordable housing financing tools.
• Strong project management skills and demonstrated ability to independently manage significant project responsibilities, competing priorities, schedules, and deadlines.
• Ability to identify project issues, evaluate potential solutions, exercise sound judgment, and determine when issues require escalation or additional guidance.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively and professionally with residents, staff, contractors, architects, attorneys, lenders, investors, funders, community representatives, elected and appointed officials, government agencies, and other project partners.
• Strong ability to coordinate across multiple internal departments and external organizations and move work forward when responsibilities and decisions involve multiple parties.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with MS Project or other project management tools is preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex project and financial information clearly to different audiences.
• Ability to work independently, establish priorities, anticipate next steps, and follow through on project responsibilities with limited day-to-day supervision.
• Ability to approach resident and community interactions with professionalism, respect, responsiveness, sound judgment and cultural awareness.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to open and close file drawers.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 15 pounds.
• Ability to file documents.
• Ability to type data into a computer.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must have access to reliable transportation.
• Must be willing and able to travel up to 25% of the time, with occasional overnight travel.
• Must be willing and able to attend city council, planning commission, neighborhood, community, resident, and other meetings that may be scheduled in the evening.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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