Real Estate Project Development Lead

Main Office - Navajo - DENVER, CO 80223

• Salary Range: $74,540.00 - $101,397.00 Salary/year
• Position Type: Full Time
• Category: Nonprofit - Social Services

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Shape Communities. Lead Development. Drive Results.
Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver is seeking a highly driven Real Estate Project Development Lead to lead pre-development for projects that directly expand affordable homeownership opportunities across the Denver metro area. This role is ideal for a decisive problem solver who thrives on ownership, strategic thinking, and turning vision into reality. In this role, you will take the lead on a diverse portfolio of projects ranging from small-scale infill developments and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to larger communities. You will be empowered to evaluate opportunities, navigate entitlement challenges, coordinate project teams, and drive projects from concept to construction. This is not a support role. You will have direct responsibility for advancing projects, driving consensus on critical decisions, overcoming obstacles, and delivering tangible community impact.

The following reflects the organization’s definition of essential functions for the job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead all phases of real estate development from site acquisition through permitting
• Drive project strategy, execution, timelines, budgets, and outcomes.
• Identify risks early and implement solutions that keep projects moving forward.
• Balance multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining accountability for results.

Evaluate and Advance New Opportunities
• Assess development opportunities and determine project feasibility.
• Identify key financial variables to advance projects forward.
• Identify creative approaches to increase viability and impact.
• Conduct due diligence on site acquisition opportunities, including zoning, environmental, legal, and construction considerations.

Build and Lead High-Performing Project Teams
• Assemble and manage consultants, architects, engineers, and other key development partners.
• Lead and coordinate internal stakeholders to align resources, resolve challenges, and accelerate project progress.
• Influence decision-making across departments and external organizations.

Navigate Complexity and Deliver Results
• Lead entitlement, permitting, public hearing, and approval processes.
• Resolve development challenges through proactive problem solving and strategic leadership.
• Provide support and continuity during construction to ensure quality, schedule, and budget objectives are achieved. Act as point of contact for field staff for any questions or changes/permit revisions that may arise.
• Continuously improve development processes and standards to increase organizational effectiveness.
• Maintain project documentation and updated information across software platforms including but not limited to SharePoint, Procore and Monday.com

Success in This Role Looks Like
• Taking initiative without waiting for direction.
• Making sound decisions in fast-moving and sometimes ambiguous situations.
• Seeing obstacles as challenges to solve, not barriers to progress.
• Building momentum and driving projects to completion.
• Creating measurable community impact through successful housing development.
• Balancing strategic thinking with disciplined execution.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THIS JOB
• Most work is performed indoors at a desk in a shared office or meeting setting, with the ability to work remotely at times.
• Ability to talk on the phone and work at a computer for extended periods of time.
• Some work is done outside to inspect potential acquisitions or building sites.
• Ability to maneuver typical construction site obstacles and to adequately traverse a residential construction job site.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to be insured under the company’s insurance policy is prerequisite; driving is required. A Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) will be run for insurance purposes.
• The ability to travel to and from meetings and appointments in locations and times when public transportation is unavailable.
• Hybrid work model - minimum 2 days/week at a Habitat location (Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday), with ability to work from home the other days) During the first 6-9 months of employment additional days in the office might be required to learn the role, build critical interdepartmental connections, and strengthen the team’s vision, strategy, and cohesiveness. • Habitat’s office where this position will report to is 430 S Navajo St, Denver, CO 80223.

The starting salary range for this position is $74,540 - $87,969, with offers typically between the minimum to midpoint of the starting pay range posted depending on qualifications, internal equity and the budgeted amount for the role. The full salary range for this position is $74,540 - $101,397.

Benefits available include medical, dental and vision insurance options with employer paying up 100% for employee only coverage; 401k with employer match up to 4%; paid time off for vacation, holidays, floating holidays; and parental leave; short and long-term disability; Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA) Leave; Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML); and paid time to volunteer.

We know everyone’s needs are different. If you require accommodation during the application process, please contact us at hrrecruiting@habitatmetrodenver.org and include the position of interest.

This recruitment process does not involve the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants. All hiring decisions are made by human reviewers.

At Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, we value diversity and strive to ensure that our practices and policies are equitable ad inclusive. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age (40 and older), sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status and gender identity or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), marital status, race, national origin (including ancestry), disability, creed, religion, genetic information, HIV status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Habitat Metro Denver is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, dismissal, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
• A strong belief in Habitat’s mission and a desire to engage others in the organization’s work.
• Detail-oriented with ability to ensure accurate results in every aspect of job while simultaneously evaluating the big picture and prioritizing appropriately.
• Able to simplify complexity and move quickly from theory to action; strives for excellence, not perfection.
• Self-starter comfortable taking initiative while exercising sound judgement; able to understand both vague and implicit instructions and perform duties under general direction.
• Knowledge of financing sources available for affordable housing a plus.
• Ability to prepare and analyze proforma financials for residential development.
• Strong interpersonal and relational skills with diverse populations; ability to flex style to communicate clearly, professionally, and sensitively with diverse audiences of homeowners, volunteers, contractors, suppliers, vendors, coworkers, and other stakeholders.
• Project management software and team collaboration software required. Monday.com, Bluebeam and Procore preferred.
• Experience working with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds is preferred.
• Knowledge of residential construction, relevant building codes, local zoning codes, design, construction documents and land development processes required.
• Must be proficient Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint). Strong Excel skills preferred.
• Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator, or other design software, a plus.

EXPERIENCE:
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in development with a preference for residential and/or affordable housing projects that includes all phases of development: finance, real estate transactions, acquisition, entitlements, community engagement, design, construction, and closeout.
• Experience in real estate financial analysis, land acquisition, or project analysis with a homebuilder, residential developer, or multi-family construction/development firm a plus.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in project management that includes planning, design, development and/or financing of real estate required. 3+ years of experience is preferred.
• Formal education/training in Real Estate Development, Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering or a related field would be highly beneficial in this role.