Director of Housing Finance and Sustainability

The Director of Housing Finance and Sustainability at the Colorado Department of Local Affairs will lead affordable housing financing efforts in Colorado. Responsibilities include managing grant and loan programs, overseeing funding streams, developing policies, engaging stakeholders, and creating innovative financing tools. The role requires a visionary leader with extensive experience in real estate finance and supervisory skills. This position is based in Denver, CO and is not remote.
About the position

The Director of Housing Finance and Sustainability at the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) is a pivotal role aimed at reshaping the state's approach to affordable housing financing. This position is responsible for leading the administration and budgeting of all grant and loan programs related to housing development within the Division of Housing (DOH). The Director will oversee the management of federal and state funding streams, ensuring that all funding awards and contracts align with DOH's strategic initiatives and compliance requirements. This role requires a visionary leader who can creatively address the pressing issue of affordable housing in Colorado, where a significant percentage of renters are cost-burdened and homeownership is increasingly out of reach due to rising median home prices. The Director will manage a team that includes an Associate Office Director, a Portfolio Manager, and a Housing Development Manager, along with approximately 40 additional staff members. Responsibilities include developing program guidelines and policies related to housing financing mechanisms, engaging stakeholders in program development, and optimizing work processes within the Office of Housing Finance and Sustainability. The Director will also be tasked with creating innovative financing tools and ensuring that all DOH investments are viable and meet the needs of Colorado's diverse communities. In addition to overseeing the financial programming and stakeholder engagement, the Director will evaluate new legislation and regulations impacting housing development programs, ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements. The position also involves assessing and expanding affordable housing initiatives, particularly in underserved areas, and collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of state and federally funded programs. This role is crucial for driving the mission of DOLA to strengthen Colorado's communities through accessible and affordable housing solutions.

Responsibilities
• Oversee the management of federal and state grant and loan funding streams.
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• Lead and manage the Associate Office Director and other key staff members.
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• Develop and adapt program guidelines, policies, and priorities related to housing financing mechanisms.
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• Engage stakeholders in program development and operation to ensure program performance meets legislative intent.
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• Identify and lead efforts to optimize work processes and policies within the Office of Housing Finance and Sustainability.
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• Create financing tools and implement them through application development, underwriting, and contracting.
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• Review and approve the financing of each DOH investment to substantiate funding recommendations.
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• Supervise the OHFS' Associate Office Director and provide guidance for housing program management.
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• Research, assess, and implement new innovative financing mechanisms for housing development.
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• Evaluate new legislation and regulations for impacts on housing development programs.

Requirements
• Nine years of professional experience in multi-family real estate development or finance, including two years in loan origination or underwriting and two years of supervisory experience.
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• Bachelor's degree in finance, business, economics, or a closely related field plus five years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree with four years of relevant experience.
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• Extensive knowledge and experience with multi-family/single-family loans and financial tools.
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• Experience with grant and loan programs for affordable housing development.
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• Demonstrated knowledge of strategic planning and implementation.

Nice-to-haves
• Degree in finance, business administration, or economics.
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• Expert level knowledge of financial tools and mechanisms.
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• Understanding of financial markets and the roles of developers and lenders.
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• Experience with policy and guidelines development and implementation.
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• Outstanding leadership skills and human resource management.

Benefits
• Wellness program
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• Disability insurance
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• Health insurance
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• Dental insurance
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• 401(k)
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• Employee discount
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• Loan forgiveness
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• Flexible schedule
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• Life insurance