Director of Community Development

SUMMARY

The Director of Community Development provides strategic leadership and oversight of UACDC’s community development, housing, redevelopment, infrastructure, and capital improvement initiatives. This role is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing transformative projects that strengthen neighborhoods, expand affordable housing opportunities, improve infrastructure, and advance economic mobility within the University Area and surrounding service areas.

The Director oversees major federally, state, and locally funded capital projects and community development initiatives, including projects funded through programs such as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Community Project Funding (CPF), HUD, infrastructure grants, and other public and private funding sources. This position requires strong knowledge of federal grant compliance requirements and development regulations, including but not limited to 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance, Davis-Bacon and Related Acts, Build America Buy America (BABA), Section 3, Fair Housing regulations, environmental review requirements, procurement standards, and other applicable local, state, and federal regulations.

This role serves as a lead project implementation and coordination position responsible for managing redevelopment initiatives, affordable housing development, land acquisition, infrastructure planning, and community asset improvements. The Director works closely with executive leadership, public agencies, engineers, consultants, developers, contractors, and community stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered effectively, compliantly, and aligned with UACDC’s long-term strategic vision.

This role also provides oversight of UACDC’s Real Estate and Facilities Departments, including the management, maintenance, coordination, and long-term stewardship of the organization’s physical assets, facilities, properties, and community spaces. The Director is responsible for ensuring organizational assets are maintained effectively, operated efficiently, and aligned with UACDC’s strategic redevelopment and operational goals.

The Director also supports organizational advocacy, strategic partnerships, grant development, and funding initiatives related to housing, infrastructure, redevelopment, and community revitalization efforts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Core duties and responsibilities include the following. Provides office support services in order to ensure professionalism and effectiveness including but not limited to:

• Provide strategic oversight and implementation of UACDC’s community development, affordable housing, redevelopment, infrastructure, facilities, and real estate initiatives
• Lead and manage major capital improvement projects funded through federal, state, local, and private funding sources
• Oversee implementation and compliance of grants and contracts including, but not limited to, CDBG, HOME, HUD, CPF, infrastructure grants, and related funding programs
• Provide leadership and oversight of the Real Estate and Facilities Departments, including property operations, facilities coordination, asset management, and maintenance activities
• Oversee the maintenance, preservation, operational performance, and long-term stewardship of all organizational facilities, housing assets, community properties, and physical infrastructure
• Coordinate preventative maintenance planning, capital improvement planning, facility assessments, safety inspections, and operational readiness across all organizational properties and assets
• Coordinate affordable housing, land acquisition, infill redevelopment, mixed-use development, and community asset projects from planning through implementation
• Manage infrastructure assessment, planning, and improvement initiatives
• Coordinate with engineers, architects, planners, contractors, consultants, and public agencies to support project development, permitting, maintenance, and implementation
• Assist in developing neighborhood redevelopment strategies, corridor plans, infrastructure priorities, asset management plans, and community investment initiatives
• Partner with executive leadership to establish and execute short- and long-term community development goals aligned with organizational strategy
• Develop and manage project scopes, implementation schedules, budgets, procurement activities, and performance benchmarks
• Support grant writing, funding strategy development, and resource cultivation efforts related to community development, infrastructure, housing, and facility improvement projects
• Manage procurement and contractor selection processes in accordance with organizational and federal procurement standards
• Coordinate project reporting, documentation, compliance monitoring, and stakeholder communication related to funded initiatives
• Build and maintain relationships with local governments, housing agencies, transportation agencies, funders, developers, financial institutions, and community stakeholders
• Support community engagement, resident outreach, and stakeholder participation efforts related to redevelopment and infrastructure initiatives
• Monitor and evaluate project outcomes, implementation effectiveness, asset performance, and community impact metrics
• Supervise assigned staff, consultants, contractors, and project teams while fostering accountability, collaboration, and professional development
• Represent UACDC at public meetings, community forums, committees, conferences, and stakeholder engagements related to housing, infrastructure, redevelopment, facilities, and community development initiatives
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, professionalism, accountability, and mission-driven service throughout development and redevelopment initiatives

OCCASIONAL DUTIES

Participation in company events.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Quality Control, Customer Service, Record-Keeping

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervisory responsibilities for administrative employees.

COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Conflict Resolution (Collaboration & Problem Solving): Seeks mutually beneficial solutions; addresses conflict constructively and collaboratively; identifies and addresses root causes of issues with transparency and professionalism.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness (Communication, Teamwork): Builds strong, respectful relationships across all levels of the organization; communicates clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats; listens actively and engages others with openness and professionalism; fosters a positive, team-oriented environment.
• Self-Management (Adaptability, Reliability, Composure): Demonstrates flexibility in a fast-paced environment; maintains focus and effectiveness under pressure; works independently with minimal supervision; consistently delivers reliable, results-driven performance while maintaining professionalism and composure.
• Judgment & Decision-Making (Analytical Thinking, Innovation, Quality Focus): Gathers and evaluates relevant information before making decisions; identifies connections across issues; considers alternatives and risks; makes timely, sound decisions that support organizational goals and quality standards.
• Motivation & Initiative (Professionalism, Ethics, Influence): Demonstrates commitment to organizational success; takes initiative and assumes leadership when needed; generates innovative ideas; exhibits confidence, integrity, and strong persuasive and negotiation skills.
• Planning & Organization (Prioritization, Attention to Detail): Effectively manages multiple priorities; develops clear plans and timelines; anticipates challenges and develops solutions; maintains a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Leadership (Development, Empowerment, Team Orientation): Leads, mentors, and develops staff; empowers others to take ownership and make decisions; promotes continuous improvement and professional growth; collaborates effectively and builds cohesive, high-performing teams.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree (BA) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Real Estate, Operations Management, or related field preferred. Minimum 5-7 years of responsible experience in operations, administration, facilities, real estate, operations, or organizational management. Minimum 3 years of supervisory/management experience is required. Experience managing cross-functional operational and/or asset portfolios is preferred. Strong organizational, project management, and process-improvement skills. Excellent communication and leadership abilities.  

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Bi-lingual, English and Spanish is an added plus. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to apply mathematical concepts.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

COMPUTER SKILLS

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Database software; Design software; Internet software; Order Processing systems; Outlook and Microsoft Office Suite, including but not limited to Spreadsheet, Presentation, relational database, and Word Processing software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADA Statement:

In addition to the duties enumerated above, this position also has physical components as listed below. The list is intended to give an overview of the position as performed by a person without disabilities. In conformation with the American with Disabilities Act and UACDC’s policy on Equal Employment Opportunity, UACDC will make reasonable adjustments to enable an otherwise qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation where necessary.

1. Occasional reaching 

2. Occasional bending 

3. Occasional stooping

4. Occasional kneeling 

5. Occasional crouching 

6. Occasional stair climbing

7. Frequent Standing

8. Frequent walking 

9. Frequent sitting

10. Occasional carrying, pushing and or pulling up to 10 lbs,

The Duties and Responsibilities, Skills and Abilities listed above are not intended to be an exhaustive list for this position. They are intended to be exemplary of the level and complexity of work generally performed by a person in this job. The duties and responsibilities may be changed due to evolution of the position or to reflect the special abilities or disabilities of the person in the position.

Disclaimer: Job descriptions are not meant to be all-inclusive and the job itself is subject to change. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

University Area CDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. University Area CDC does not discriminate applicants or employees for terms of employment on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, familial status, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability status, veteran status or any other terms prohibited under county ordinance, state, or federal law.