Vice President, Project Manager

Walker & Dunlop; Calabasas (CA); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

401(k) with match

Transit benefits

Parental leave

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Walker & Dunlop in California seeks a VP, Project Manager within Affordable Equity’s Acquisitions team to lead a pod of project managers, oversee LIHTC transactions from underwriting through closing, and guide performance against objectives. This senior role reports to the SVP, Acquisitions and requires 10+ years of real estate finance and development experience.

You will mentor staff, coordinate cross‑functional teams with legal, asset management, and lenders, and strengthen relationships with

Qualifications

• 10+ years in real estate finance, development or affordable housing transactions.
• Experience underwriting, structuring, and overseeing complex transactions.
• Demonstrated experience supervising and coaching professionals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a pod of project management professionals with performance coaching.
• Oversee LIHTC acquisitions from underwriting to closing and risk management.
• Guide negotiations of partnership agreements and financing documents with developers and lenders.
• Coordinate with underwriting, legal, asset management and construction teams to close deals.
• Mentor team, foster accountability, and strengthen investor relationships.

Skills

LIHTC deals

Real estate finance

Leadership

Contract negotiations

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Underwriting software

Job description

Department:

Affordable Housing | Equity - Acquisitions

We are Walker & Dunlop. We are one of the largest providers of capital to the commercial real estate industry, enabling real estate owners and operators to bring their visions of communities — where people live, work, shop, and play — to life. We are committed to creating meaningful social, environmental, and economic change in our communities.

Department Overview

W&D Affordable Equity (formerly Alliant Capital)

is a leading tax credit firm focused on tax credit syndication for the development and financing of affordable multifamily rental housing. As a syndicator of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), W&D Affordable Equity raises corporate equity and monitors the development, construction, lease‑up, and permanent financing phases of its investments. With a dedicated team of experienced real estate, asset management, legal, and tax professionals, we provide the highest level of fully integrated real estate and investment support services.

The Impact You Will Have

Reporting to the SVP, Acquisitions, the VP, Project Manager is responsible for leading a pod within W&D Affordable Equity’s Acquisitions team, providing direct management, guidance, and oversight to project management professionals. This role is accountable for the pod’s overall transaction execution, performance, and professional development, ensuring the successful acquisition of limited partnership interests in affordable housing developments. The VP oversees LIHTC transactions from underwriting and due diligence through closing, providing strategic direction, managing complex transaction matters, and ensuring effective risk mitigation and cross‑functional coordination. As a people leader, the VP is responsible for setting expectations, delegating responsibilities, coaching and developing team members, and fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration. This position plays a key role in strengthening developer and investor relationships, advancing investment opportunities, and supporting the continued growth and success of W&D Affordable Equity.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a pod of project management professionals, providing direction, coaching, performance management, and professional development to support individual and team success.
• Establish team priorities, delegate responsibilities, and oversee workloads to ensure timely execution of transactions and accountability for results.
• Oversee the acquisition of limited partnership interests in affordable housing developments, ensuring transactions align with investment objectives, underwriting standards, and established processes.
• Provide guidance on the negotiation of project partnership agreements and financing documents with developers and lenders.
• Oversee financial feasibility analyses and due diligence reviews, including construction budgets, financing structures, market studies, appraisals, environmental reports, and regulatory approvals.
• Monitor transaction timelines and coordinate with underwriting, construction, modeling, legal, and asset management teams to facilitate successful closings.
• Serve as a senior point of contact for developers, investors, and internal stakeholders, providing guidance on complex transactions and resolving escalated matters.
• Oversee the preparation of Project Acquisition Reports (PARs), including investment recommendations and risk assessments, and support Investment Committee presentations and investor due diligence.
• Identify and mitigate financial, legal, development, and transaction risks while ensuring the accuracy, quality, and compliance of transaction deliverables and due diligence files.
• Drive process improvements, promote collaboration, and strengthen team capabilities to support operational efficiency and consistent transaction execution.
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Attendance is generally required from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm local time, Tuesday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 10+ years of experience in real estate finance, development, or affordable housing transactions.
• Extensive experience underwriting, structuring, and overseeing complex real estate transactions, preferably in LIHTC investments.
• Demonstrated experience directly supervising and managing professionals, including responsibility for delegation, performance management, coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
• Experience leading transaction teams, managing competing priorities, and overseeing multiple transactions simultaneously.
• Familiarity with escrow processes, title, and survey review preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of real estate development, finance, and LIHTC transactions.
• Advanced financial analysis skills with high proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with executive presence and the ability to effectively engage developers, investors, senior leadership, and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated people leadership skills, including the ability to establish clear expectations, delegate effectively, provide constructive feedback, develop talent, and hold team members accountable for results.
• Ability to oversee multiple complex transactions while balancing strategic priorities, team workload, and competing deadlines.
• Strong organizational and decision‑making skills, with the ability to guide team members through complex transactions and resolve escalated issues.
• Sound business judgment and ability to assess and mitigate transaction risk while providing appropriate guidance and direction to the team.
• Ability to foster collaboration, support team development, and promote consistent execution of established processes.
• High degree of professionalism and discretion.
• Ability to show ownership of your work, embrace challenges and growth opportunities, and demonstrate patience when learning new processes.
• Demonstrates courtesy, respect, and thoughtfulness when teaming with colleagues and collaborating with stakeholders.

This position has an estimated base salary of $175,000 - $200,000 plus a discretionary bonus. An employment offer is based on the applicant’s relevant work experience, applicable knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

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#LI-Hybrid

What We Offer

• The opportunity to join one of Fortune Magazine’s Great Places to Work winners

• Comprehensive benefit options* that have earned Walker & Dunlop the gold level of the 2025 Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation™, some of which include:
  - Up to 83% subsidized medical payroll deductions
  - Competitive dental and vision benefits
  - 401(k) + match
  -Pre-tax transit and commuting benefits
  - A robust health and wellness program – earn cash rewards and gain access to resources that
  promote health, engagement, and balance
  -Paid maternity and parental leave, as well as other family paid leave programs
  -Company-paid life, short and long‑term disability insurance
  -Health Savings Account and Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending

• Career development opportunities

• Empowerment and encouragement to give back – volunteer hours and donation matching

*Eligibility may vary based on average number of hours worked

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We are committed to equity in all steps of the recruitment and employment experience. We believe in equal access to opportunities in our workplace. We do not tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on any characteristic protected by applicable law, such as race, color, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, sex, age, disability, veteran or military status, and genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We strive to be a safe place to ask questions, build professional relationships, and develop careers.

Fair Chance Hiring

Background checks, including any questions related to infractions, arrests, or conviction records, will not be conducted until after a conditional offer of employment has been accepted. We will consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of arrest and conviction records, in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.