(Planning and) Development Manager

Philadelphia Housing Authority; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Philadelphia Housing Authority seeks a Development Manager to oversee affordable and public housing development from acquisition through construction, coordinating with internal teams, architects, lenders, and public partners to ensure timely and on-budget delivery.

The role emphasizes feasibility, budgeting, financing, environmental and regulatory compliance, and leadership of staff and consultants, with experience in LIHTC and public funding preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a directly related field; five (5) years of related experience; two (2) years of supervisory experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience in real estate, affordable/public housing development preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manages the full development lifecycle for public and affordable housing projects from acquisition through closeout.
• Oversees and manages work of development staff and consultants.
• Leads negotiations related to property acquisitions, development agreements, and contracts.
• Oversees pre-development activities including scope, scheduling, and entitlements.
• Structures and secures project financing from public and private sources; reviews financing applications.
• Develops and monitors project budgets and pro formas across all phases.
• Coordinates interactions with architects, engineers, general contractors, and consultants.
• Adheres to procurement processes per HUD and agency requirements; manages RFP/RFQ processes.
• Monitors construction progress, reviews pay apps and change orders, ensures compliance.
• Ensures compliance with HUD, local, state, and federal requirements for public/affordable housing.
• Collaborates with finance, legal, asset management, and operations teams.
• Prepares reports and presentations for senior leadership and public stakeholders.
• Supports project closeout activities and transition to asset management.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Skills

Budgeting

Scheduling

Contract administration

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

Project management software

Job description

Reporting to the Senior Vice President - Construction, the Development Manager is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of affordable and public housing development initiatives, from acquisition and negotiation through pre-development, financing, and construction coordination. This position oversees project feasibility, budgeting, and financial structuring while ensuring developments align with agency goals, regulatory requirements, and funding constraints. The Development Manager serves as a primary point of coordination among internal stakeholders, architects, general contractors, lenders, and public partners to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with applicable federal, state and local standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Manages the full development lifecycle for public and affordable housing projects, including acquisition, due diligence, negotiation, pre-development, financing, and construction through project closeout.
• Oversees and manages the work of other development staff and consultants.
• Identifies, evaluates, and supports property acquisition opportunities, including site analysis, feasibility assessments, and coordination of environmental, physical, and financial due diligence activities.
• Leads negotiations related to property acquisition, development agreements, joint ventures, and consultant and vendor contracts, in coordination with legal counsel and senior leadership.
• Oversees pre-development activities, including scope definition, scheduling, entitlement processes, design development, and coordination with local jurisdictions and regulatory agencies.
• Structures and secures project financing, including public housing capital funds, grants, tax credits, bonds, loans, and other public or private funding sources; prepares and reviews financing applications and related documentation.
• Develops, monitors, and controls project budgets and pro formas throughout all phases of development, ensuring fiscal discipline, accurate forecasting, and timely identification of budget risks or variances.
• Coordinates and manages relationships with architects, engineers, general contractors, construction managers, and other consultants to ensure design and construction activities align with project goals, schedules, and budgets.
• Understands and adheres to procurement processes in accordance with public housing, HUD, and agency requirements, including RFP/RFQ development, evaluation, and contract administration.
• Monitors construction progress, reviews pay applications and change orders, and ensures compliance with contract terms, funding requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Ensures all development activities comply with HUD regulations, local, state, and federal requirements, and applicable public housing, affordable housing, and procurement standards.
• Collaborates with internal departments, including finance, legal, asset management, and operations, to ensure smooth project execution and long-term operational viability.
• Prepares reports, presentations, and recommendations for senior leadership, boards, and public stakeholders related to project status, risks, budgets, and timelines.
• Supports project closeout activities, including final inspections, documentation, funding reconciliation, and transition to asset management or operations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A Bachelor's degree in a directly related field and a minimum of five (5) years of directly related experience; Minimum two (2) years of experience supervising staff. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Preferred

Experience in real estate, affordable housing, or public housing development, including responsibility for managing projects through multiple phases of development. Experience overseeing pre-development, financing, budgeting, and construction activities for housing or similar capital development projects; Experience coordinating and working with architects, general contractors, consultants, public agencies, and other project stakeholders.

Required Knowledge of:

• Federal, state, and local statutes, codes, and regulations governing public sector housing development, construction, and finance, including HUD and Code of Federal Regulations requirements.
• Affordable housing development and preservation programs and financing tools, including Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Historic and New Market Tax Credits, HOME, RCAP, and other federal, state, and local funding sources.
• Project and construction management principles, including budgeting, cost control, procurement, contract administration, environmental review requirements, building codes, and construction inspection standards.
• Public sector administrative and management practices, including budgeting, cost accounting, records management, performance management, and continuous improvement.
• Local community issues and available regional resources relevant to public and affordable housing development.

Required Skill in:

• Interpreting and applying federal, state, and local public housing rules, regulations, and development guidelines.
• Developing and analyzing development pro formas and applying for public and private funding.
• Project and construction management, scheduling, contract administration, and review of construction documents.
• Analyzing operational and financial records, evaluating policies and procedures, and making recommendations for improvement.
• Planning, organizing, and prioritizing multiple projects and coordinating the work of others.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders, including staff, residents, community partners, and public officials.
• Verbal and written communication, including presenting information in public meetings and preparing reports.
• Using computers and standard/specialized software for project management, budgeting, and reporting.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

A valid Driver's License is required.

Supervisory responsibilities

Supervises three to five professional employees

Limited travel to PHA sites as necessary