Director of Real Estate

The Director of Real Estate at the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) presents an exceptional opportunity to play a critical leadership role in the continued growth and development of one of the country’s most highly regarded housing agencies. CHA is at a pivotal moment in time, and the Director will lead a highly talented team, work alongside recognized leaders in their fields, and in an agency recognized as being at the forefront of innovation and best practices.

The Director of Real Estate oversees the end-to-end execution of CHA’s real estate development and construction pipeline to protect, preserve, reposition, and expand its housing portfolio in accordance with agency policy and goals and applicable federal, state, and local requirements. The position manages responsibilities related to these initiatives including planning, financing, transaction management and delivery, construction management, and quality review and assurance.

The position ensures compliance with CHA’s goals and objectives, and manages all project schedule and budget, design and financing, and transaction execution for the various projects in CHA’s pipeline. First and foremost, the ideal candidate will be an exceptional leader of people and teams leading staff and consultants, and the management of community and resident engagement related to real estate initiatives.

In close partnership with the Deputy Executive Director of Development and CEO, they will also act as liaison between CHA and the outside community, funding, and regulatory agencies. All activities must support the agency’s strategic goals and objectives and produce results that advance the goals of the Planning & Development Department, the CHA’s real estate arm.

The Planning & Development Department has an annual capital budget of approximately $190m and a departmental budget of $7m. CHA leverages its MTW designation, public housing consulting practice, and acquisition and land banking strategies to build a development pipeline of over $1 billion. In addition to CHA’s Cambridge pipeline, the team manages approximately 10 consulting clients with scopes ranging from a development advisor to co-development partner.

The Planning & Development Department includes all real estate functions, including construction, with 24 employees and two consultants in total. The Director of Real Estate is a newly constructed position, which will accommodate the continued growth and complexity of CHA real estate activities and ensure efficiency, quality, accountability, and promote clear communication, collaboration, and staff development.

The Director of Real Estate will join an exceptional leadership partnership with direct access to both the Deputy Executive Director of Development and Chief Executive Officer. The role is designed for a leader who wants to combine operational responsibility with strategic influence, leading a high-performing team while helping define the future direction of a development pipeline. Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director of Development, the Director will also work closely with the CEO on agency-wide priorities, strategic initiatives, and major development opportunities.

Deputy Executive Director of Development

Director of Construction

Deputy Director(s) of Planning & Development

Chief Executive Officer

General Counsel

Director of Asset Management

Director of Operations

Director of Facilities Management

Project Managers

• Provide leadership and coordination from project conception through financial closing, construction, and permanent loan conversion across finance, legal, procurement, construction, asset management, property management, and resident services staff to support project execution and ensure alignment with agency goals.
• Provide thoughtful and adaptable leadership that is inclusive, transparent, and empowering to support and guide a healthy and productive department that delivers on CHA mission.
• Ensure the Planning & Development Department is fully integrated, and partners cross functionally with all agency departments to support a “one CHA” culture. Increase…