Senior Developer

Fairstead ESC LLC; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairstead is a purpose-driven real estate firm focused on affordable housing across the US. The Senior Developer, Affordable Housing, will lead development from underwriting through construction in core markets, partnering with executive leadership to shape investment and asset decisions.

The role demands a decade of real estate development experience, LIHTC/Section 8 know-how, and strong financial modeling skills, with leadership to mentor a growing team and manage complex projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field required; advanced degree is a plus.
• 10 years of real estate development/construction experience, preferably affordable housing.
• LIHTC, Section 8 and Public Housing development experience strongly preferred.
• Experience managing and growing a small team is a plus but not required.
• Strong quantitative, financial analysis and modeling skills (Excel).
• Exceptional research and writing abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Strong project management skills and follow-through.
• Ability to multi-task and adapt in a dynamic environment; urgency and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Manage lifecycle of multiple affordable housing development projects from underwriting to stabilization.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to junior staff and grow the team.
• Contribute to investment analysis and present materials to executive leadership.
• Compile due diligence information including financial, market, site, and regulatory data.
• Manage project proformas, budgets, schedules, and underwriting assumptions.
• Coordinate debt/equity financing, property transactions, and government subsidies.
• Review contracts and legal documents for each project.
• Validate budgets and proforma assumptions.
• Analyze partnership agreements and cash flow waterfalls.
• Lead internal and external teams through design to construction documents.
• Lead pre-development work on architecture, engineering, zoning, and government relations.

Skills

Financial analysis

Project management

Leadership

Written communication

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Excel

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 Senior Developer, Affordable Housing, supports all aspects of affordable housing acquisitions, rehabilitation, and development (Section 8, Public Housing, LIHTC, etc.) in core markets across the US. The Senior Developer will report to executive leadership and their contributions will be used in the investment and management decisions of the company.

Responsibilities

• Manage the lifecycle of multiple affordable housing development projects from initial underwriting, through closing to stabilization and8609s.
• Demonstrate strong leadership and team-building qualities, mentoring junior staff and contributing to the continued growth and development of the team.
• Makes substantial contributions to analysis that will inform the firm’s investment decisions, prepare and present investment materials to executive leadership
• Compilation of due diligence information including financial, market, site, and regulatory data.
• Manage project proformas including budgets, schedules, , and underwriting assumptions.
• Completion of applications and documentation necessary for debt and equity financing, property purchase and sale, and government subsidy renewal.
• Involvement in contract negotiation and review of legal documentation for each project.
• Validation and supportof budgets, assumptions, and proforma analysis.
• Analyzing and comparing complex partnership agreements and cash flow waterfall
• Build, coordinate and lead internal team members and external consultants through conceptual design and entitlements leading to construction documents.
• Perform, coordinate and / or lead pre-development work such as preliminary architectural and engineering issues, zoning issues, local government, and community support.
• Perform other related duties and support executive leadership as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field required, advanced degree is a plus
• Ten (10) years of experience in real estate development and/or construction, preferably affordable housing or multi-family.
• LIHTC, Section 8 and Public Housing development experience strongly preferred.
• Experience managing and growing a small team a plus but not a requirement
• 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.

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

Salary Range

$180,000 - $200,000 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.