Real Estate Development Officer - RIHousing

What we are all about:

We are seeking a dynamic professional to serve as a Real Estate Development Officer within RIHousing’s Real Estate Development Department. This position is accountable for reviewing, underwriting, and closing loan applications in a prudent, timely, and cost-effective manner to support the construction, rehabilitation, and/or transfer of multifamily rental properties in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and RIHousing program requirements.

This is a hybrid position based in Providence, Rhode Island, where you will be an integral part of our Development team. The role is designed for in-person collaboration and active engagement within our office environment.

• Review, underwrite, and close assigned development proposals, including production proposals, loan restructurings, and asset transfers, in accordance with prudent credit and underwriting standards, applicable regulations, and RIHousing funding policies and priorities.
• Analyze the completeness and compliance of applications and evaluate site suitability, marketability, development team capacity, financial feasibility, and overall project feasibility; identify and resolve underwriting issues and deficiencies in collaboration with applicants and internal staff.
• Manage approximately 7–10 active development proposals at a time, with typical total development costs ranging from $2.5 million to $15 million. Proposals generally involve complex, multi-source financing, including taxable or tax-exempt bonds, housing tax credits, federal HOME funds, and other debt and equity sources.
• Coordinate with applicants and a diverse range of stakeholders, including nonprofit sponsors, for-profit developers, investors, local officials, regulatory agencies, and public organizations, to facilitate successful project review and completion.
• Prepare funding recommendations, Board presentations, commitment letters, correspondence, technical and status reports, schedules, and other documentation necessary to support project approval, closing, and ongoing file management.
• Monitor and coordinate internal processes to facilitate timely and effective loan closings and ensure project assignments are completed in accordance with established deadlines.
• Promote RIHousing programs by communicating program information to clients and stakeholders through correspondence, meetings, public forums, and other outreach activities in a timely, courteous, and professional manner.
• Participate in the development and implementation of new loan programs and revisions to underwriting guidelines, policies, and procedures, including preparation of Requests for Proposals (RFPs), as assigned.
• Perform special assignments across various program areas, which may include single-family construction lending, federal tax credit programs, housing preservation, loan restructuring, and financial or database modeling.
• Prioritize and manage multiple assignments in a complex, highly negotiated financing environment while exercising sound judgment and meeting established deadlines. Underwriting decisions can have significant implications for RIHousing’s financial performance, bond and credit ratings, and public reputation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Minimum of five years of experience in commercial real estate lending and/or real estate development, with experience in underwriting, appraisal review, loan documentation, and closing preferred.
• Working knowledge of federal and state housing subsidy programs preferred.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, analytical, supervisory, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with spreadsheet and report-writing…