Job Description:

Senior Director, Affordable Housing Development (Atlanta, GA)

Location: Atlanta, Georgia (Must reside in Georgia)
Travel: ~20%
Reports to: Vice President, Affordable Housing Development

About the Role

National Church Residences is seeking a Senior Director of Affordable Housing Development to lead and expand our Senior Affordable Housing development pipeline in Georgia, with a primary focus on the Atlanta market. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across the full development lifecycle, from deal sourcing and underwriting through entitlements, financing, and closing.

The ideal candidate is a strategic planner, self-starter, and relationship builder with deep experience in affordable housing development. Approximately 60% of the role focuses on development execution and 40% on external networking, partnerships, and deal origination.

This position directly supervises a small development team and plays a key role in advancing National Church Residences’ mission to expand high-quality, financially sustainable senior affordable housing in core markets.

Key Responsibilities

Development Leadership

• Source, evaluate, and advance 2–5 senior affordable housing development opportunities annually

• Lead projects from concept through LIHTC application, entitlements, financing, and closing

• Successfully close a minimum of two LIHTC transactions per year (9% or 4%), acquisitions, refinances, or other revenue-generating transactions

• Prepare and manage financial underwriting, budgets, and pro forma models through board approval

• Create, analyze, and negotiate deal summaries, purchase & sale agreements, and key transaction documents

• Oversee zoning, entitlement, and approval processes with municipal and state agencies

• Manage third-party consultants (architects, engineers, market analysts, attorneys, etc.)

• Partner with Pre-Construction to guide design development, construction estimating, and cost-benefit analysis

• Track and manage project milestones using Smartsheet and other project management tools

• Participate in internal investment committee and strategic planning processes

Networking, Partnerships & Market Presence

• Build and maintain strong relationships with:

  • Affordable housing owners and developers

  • Government agencies and housing authorities

  • Brokers, lenders, investors, and municipal stakeholders

• Represent National Church Residences in community meetings, public hearings, and stakeholder presentations

• Identify off-market and strategic development opportunities

• Strengthen the organization’s presence and reputation in Georgia’s affordable housing market

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in affordable housing or multifamily real estate development

• Demonstrated LIHTC experience (9% and/or 4%)

• Direct people management experience

• Strong knowledge of:

  • Affordable housing finance and underwriting

  • Entitlement and zoning processes

  • Budgeting and construction cost analysis

• Proven ability to create and negotiate deal terms

• Proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Office, and Smartsheet

• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with limited oversight

• Must live in Georgia and be able to travel up to 20%

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Urban Planning, Business, or related field

• Experience with Cost-Plus / CM at Risk contractor procurement

• Background working with cross-functional teams (design, construction, finance, legal)

Core Competencies

• Strategic planning & execution

• Affordable housing development expertise

• Financial analysis & budgeting

• Deal negotiation & relationship management

• High emotional intelligence (EQ) and team leadership

• Self-starter mindset with strong accountability

Work Environment

• Office-based with regional travel

• High financial responsibility and decision