Developer

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 Developer will support and manage all phases of ground-up real estate development projects in New York City, from site acquisition through construction, leasing, and stabilization. This role requires a strong understanding of NYC’s regulatory environment, coordination with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and the ability to drive complex projects forward in a fast-paced urban market.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, proactive, and experienced in navigating zoning, permitting, and construction processes unique to NYC.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and support ground-up development projects from pre-development through completion and stabilization.


• Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and legal counsel throughout the development process.


• Oversee project schedules, budgets, and deliverables to ensure milestones are met on time and within budget.


• Assist in the preparation and review of development budgets, pro formas, and financial analyses.


• Support site due diligence efforts, including zoning analysis, environmental review, and feasibility studies.


• Navigate NYC-specific entitlement processes, including ULURP, zoning actions, DOB approvals, and agency coordination (DOB, HPD, DCP, LPC, etc.).


• Assist with community engagement efforts, including coordination with elected officials, community boards, and local stakeholders as needed.


• Manage the design development process in collaboration with architects and consultants to ensure alignment with program, budget, and schedule.


• Support affordable housing development transactions, including projects utilizing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and other public financing sources; assist with coordinating applications, agency requirements, and compliance considerations in collaboration with internal and external partners.


• Review construction documents, value engineering options, and change orders.


• Monitor construction progress through regular site visits and coordination meetings.


• Assist with lender, investor, and agency reporting requirements.


• Support closings, financing draws, and compliance related to development funding sources.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, finance, architecture, engineering, urban planning, or a related field.


• 8+ years of experience in ground-up real estate development or a related role, preferably in NYC.


• Strong working knowledge of NYC zoning, permitting, and regulatory processes.


• Experience managing consultants and coordinating complex project teams.


• Proficiency in Excel, project management tools, and development budgeting.


• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.


• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

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.