VP Real Estate Development Greater Fort Wayne, IN Area

Description

Job Title: Vice President Real Estate Development

FLSA Classification: Salaried/Exempt

Position Status: Full Time

Department: Real Estate Development

Work Location: In person

Teams: Leadership Team, Real Estate Development Team

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Reports To: President/CEO

Pay Range: $75,000 - $85,000 annually

Benefits:

9 paid holidays

Health Insurance (Medical, Vision, Dental)

Vacation & Sick Time

Health Savings Account*

Life Insurance (paid for by Lacasa)

403(b) retirement** (plus match opportunities)

EAP- Employee Assistance Program

Mileage Reimbursement

THE OPPORTUNITY: Builting More Than Homes

At Lacasa, real estate development is about more than buildings and budgets. It is about creating opportunities, strengthening neighborhoods, and helping individuals and families build better futures.

We are seeking a Vice President of Real Estate Development who combines strong business judgment, development expertise, and leadership skills with a genuine passion for serving others.

This is an opportunity to use your professional experience to make a lasting difference in the communities we serve. At Lacasa, success is measured not only by the projects we complete, but by the lives we impact and the communities we strengthen.

Job Purpose

As a key member of Lacasa’s Leadership Team, the Vice President of Real Estate Development provides leadership in shaping, advancing, and executing the organization’s real estate development strategy. The VP is accountable for the success of the full real estate development life cycle—from project conceptualization and financial modeling, to securing funding, managing construction, and ensuring smooth transitions to asset management or disposition. The VP plays a hands-on role in driving innovation and growth, building strong relationships with public and private partners, and proactively managing risk to deliver high-impact, community-centered developments. The VP partners closely with the Executive and Leadership Teams to ensure strategic alignment across departments and optimize portfolio performance.

The VP directly supervises the Real Estate Development Team, fostering a high-performing team culture rooted in accountability, collaboration, and results. Guided by Lacasa’s core values—Respect Human Dignity, Work Together, Pursue Excellence, and Build to Last— this role requires strong business acumen, disciplined execution, and a forward-thinking approach to shaping sustainable and inclusive development across the communities we serve.

Essential Job Duties

Strategic Leadership

Develop and execute short- and long-range strategic plans for the real estate development portfolio in alignment with the organization's mission, community impact goals, and growth targets.

Contribute to organizational business, financial, and operational strategies, aligning real estate development activities with organizational priorities, growth objectives, and long-term sustainability.

Provide leadership and accountability for departmental budgets, annual operating plans, performance metrics, and resource allocation to achieve strategic objectives.

Guide development pipeline planning, site selection, strategic acquisitions, and investment decisions to maximize organizational and community impact.

Integrate real estate development, financial planning, and community development strategies to optimize portfolio performance.

Identify and pursue opportunities to diversify funding sources, strengthen financial returns, leverage public and private investment, and expand community impact.

Lead annual and multi-year capital planning efforts in partnership with Finance and Asset Management, ensuring alignment between development priorities and long-term organizational capacity.

Team Leadership and Development

Attract, develop, coach, and retain a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Establish clear performance expectations, and individual development plans for direct reports; provide ongoing coaching and performance management to ensure departmental effectiveness.

Foster strong communication, collaboration, and coordination among Real Estate Development staff and with other organizational departments to ensure alignment and effective execution of projects.

Ensure staff adherence to safety protocols, construction-site requirements, organizational policies, and applicable regulatory codes.

Project Development

Provide executive oversight of all real estate development projects from concept through end of construction lifecycle, including feasibility analysis, acquisition, financing, design, construction, and project closeout.

Establish, implement, and improve policies and project management standards that promote efficiency, accountability, regulatory compliance, and consistent project outcomes.

Serve as the primary organizational representative and relationship manager for development partners, investors, regulatory agencies, architects, engineers, and other key stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

Evaluate project level risks and implement mitigation strategies to protect organizational assets and ensure compliance with legal, environmental, financial, and safety requirements.

Oversee compliance with federal, state, and local funding requirements, including environmental review processes, grant regulations, and applicable development standards.

Direct relationships with contractors, consultants, vendors, and professional service providers to ensure projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and according to quality standards.

Partner with municipal agencies, elected officials, and community stakeholders to secure zoning approvals, entitlements, incentives, and other development-related approvals.

Oversee procurement activities associated with development projects, ensuring adherence to organizational policies, funding requirements, and budget parameters.

Participate in and provide leadership for acquisition and disposition activities, including due diligence, financial evaluation, negotiations, and transaction closings.

Direct organizational sustainability initiatives related to the development portfolio, including energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, resiliency planning, and environmentally responsible construction practices.

Program Oversight

Provide strategic oversight of the Owner-Occupied Repair Program and other housing rehabilitation initiatives, ensuring operational effectiveness, regulatory compliance, measurable outcomes, and exceptional customer service.

Collaborate with Asset Management leadership to facilitate seamless transitions from development to long-term operations by aligning documentation, timelines, compliance requirements, and performance expectations.

Coordinate with Financial Empowerment and other internal stakeholders to support effective marketing, client engagement, and disposition strategies for for-sale housing inventory.

Other Expectations

Participate in Lacasa’s staff meetings, leadership team meetings, board meetings and Annual Meeting.

Participate in community and professional meetings and training events as directed by supervisor.

Comply fully with training and continuing education requirements.

Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, urban planning, construction management or related field. A combination of acceptable education and progressively responsible experience that has provided the necessary knowledge and skills to fulfill the requirements of this position may be considered, provided it demonstrates advanced financial acumen, sound judgement, and leadership capability.

Experience

At least 5 years’ experience in real estate development, including site acquisition, project financing, design, construction and zoning.

Proven success managing multiple concurrent projects in diverse stages of development.

Demonstrated ability to lead complex capital projects.

Proven experience in senior leadership roles with a focus on operations, strategy, and organizational management.

Experience working with government entities, lenders, and other development partners.

Background in affordable housing development (e.g. LIHTC, HOME, CDBG) preferred.

Experience with environmental reviews and sustainability/green building practices.

Successful track record of closing complex real estate transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions.

Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and foster a collaborative, values-driven culture.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Proficiency in project and construction management software.

Performance Factors

Exceptional strategic thinking and analytical skills; able to synthesize complex data and guide long-term planning and decision making.

Strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire, develop and retain a high-performing team.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to convey financial concepts clearly.

Effective at collaborating across departments and working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and roles.

Delivery of projects that meet or exceed financial performance targets (ROI, P&L, cost containment)

Dependable, with the flexibility to adapt to evolving organizational needs.

Effective management of construction quality, safety compliance and risk mitigation.

Adaptable, solutions-focused, and proactive in identifying opportunities for operational improvement and mission advancement.

Effective oversight of budgets, forecasting and financial reporting.

Maintains a positive and professional image with staff, clients, and external stakeholders.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Full-time, 40 hours/week (M–F).

Work is hybrid with a combination of office environment and travel to development sites.

Regular exposure to active construction sites, which may involve noise, dust, uneven surfaces.

Requires travel around Elkhart County, with occasional travel for training and stakeholder meetings; valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required (mileage reimbursement provided).

Must provide employee-owned cell phone, Lacasa will provide a monthly allowance for expense.

Must be able to traverse property(ies) and facility(ies) to assess building/construction progress.

Duties include periods of sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, and occasionally lifting or moving items up to 25 pounds (project samples, equipment).

Frequent computer use required.

Tolerates moderate office noise typical of a workspace with multiple offices and staff.

Must be able to communicate clearly in both office and construction environments, including during site walkthroughs and meetings.

Work is fast-paced and involves prioritizing multiple competing deadlines and needs while maintaining a high level of accuracy and empathy.

DISCLAIMER: Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on program needs without changing the nature of the scope of this position or level of responsibility and they may change with or without notice. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

*Employees selecting Medical Insurance are eligible for an HSA funded by Lacasa. What we contribute on your behalf depends on the type of health coverage you select.

**At the completion of initial 90-day period Lacasa contributes 3% of your salary towards your 403b. In addition, beginning with the second year of employment, Lacasa will match voluntary contributions of regular full-time employees.

Lacasa is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during any part of the application or hiring process, please contact us at HR@lacasainc.net. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable local, state, and federal laws.