Director, Community Development Programs

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The mission of the Department of Commerce is to ensure that Philadelphia is a globally competitive city to which employers flock, entrepreneurs thrive and innovation abounds; to recruit and retain a diverse set of businesses; to foster economic opportunities for all Philadelphians in all neighborhoods; and to partner with workforce development programs and local businesses on talent development ensuring that all Philadelphians can find and retain living-wage jobs. For more information about the Department of Commerce, visit www.phila.gov/commerce.

Job Description

The Director, Community Real Estate Programs, is a management and supervisory role applying strategic planning and project management skills to all assignments. The position reports to the Senior Director for Neighborhood Economic Development.

Essential Functions

• Plan, develop, and implement programs and resources for non-profit and community real estate development projects, including the Department’s Community-Oriented Real Estate Grant and the Neighborhood Economic Development Impact Grant of the Neighborhood Funding Stream.
• Implement the Community Development Corporation (CDC) Tax Credit Program in partnership with the Department of Revenue, and the companion CDC Economic Development Support Grant program.
• Oversee Commerce funding streams and assure compliance with all funding sources, including, but not limited to CDBG, General Funding, Neighborhood Preservation Initiative, City Capital, Neighborhood Funding Stream, and DCED.
• Supervision of all program aspects, including planning, coordination with other departments, marketing, applications, funding, implementation and outcomes, of the community development programs of the ONED, including programs and resources for community development corporations, and non-profit/community real estate development projects. 
  • Includes partnering with individual project owners through the pipeline from concept to groundbreaking to opening, including assembling a development team and capital stack, receiving planning, environmental and historical approvals, compliance with Labor Standards and Economic Opportunity regulations, payment of invoices, and submission of reports.
• Participation in annual HUD Consolidated Action Plan for community and economic development and provide oversight of Consolidated Plan’s economic development programming.
• Establish strategic goals by gathering information; identifying and evaluating trends; choosing a course of action; defining objectives; evaluating outcomes.
• Seek additional sources of funds to manage, leverage, and initiate ONED and Commerce programs in order to create access to capital for disadvantaged communities including equity financing.
• Build relationships and partner with community organizations, other City departments, and other neighborhood economic development entities to achieve ONED goals.
• Produce and provide reports as required to Commerce Director, Mayor, City Council.

General Duties of ONED unit staff:

• Contributing information and recommendations to strategic plans and reviews for ONED, Department of Commerce, and neighborhood efforts.
• Preparing and implementing action plans for ONED programs.
• Resolving problems and determining system improvements.
• Preparing project presentations and reports using all appropriate software. 
• Drafting status reports, talking points, statements and other written work product as needed.
• Other duties as assigned. 
• Minimal night and weekend work may be re