Housing & Neighborhood Services focuses on creating vibrant, diverse neighborhoods through the delivery of five major service areas: Community Engagement, which works to create successful neighborhoods where people of diverse backgrounds and incomes can build successful lives; Code Enforcement, which works to improve the appearance of communities and maintain standards of living; Housing Services, which provides housing and other programs and services for families residing in the City of Charlotte; CharMeck311, which provides important information and services for customers in the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County; and the Office of Youth Opportunities, which works with youth and young adults in the community to provide resources and opportunities for growth and upward mobility.

The Development Services Manager serves as a senior leader within the Housing Services Division of Housing & Neighborhood Services, responsible for overseeing all City-supported housing development activities. This position provides strategic and operational leadership for programs and projects that advance the City’s goals for affordable, workforce, and mixed-income housing.

The position manages and supervises the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Manager and two additional Project Managers, ensuring effective coordination of federally funded, locally funded, voluntary, and incentive-based development initiatives. The Development Services Manager leads the planning, underwriting, financing, and implementation of complex housing projects that leverage public and private resources to increase housing opportunities throughout Charlotte.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:
• Provide leadership, direction, and management for all City housing development activities, including HTF investments, federal entitlement-funded housing programs, and incentive-based development projects.
• Supervise and mentor the HTF Manager and two Project Managers, ensuring effective workload distribution, professional development, and project accountability.
• Lead strategic planning for housing development, aligning project selection and resource allocation with City Council priorities and community housing needs.
• Oversee the preparation, review, and administration of development Requests for Proposals (RFPs), project underwriting, due diligence, loan and grant agreements, and contract execution.
• Evaluate the financial feasibility of proposed developments and recommend funding commitments in accordance with City policies and available financing sources.
• Coordinate across departments (Planning, Economic Development, Legal, Finance, Neighborhood Development, etc.) to ensure alignment on policy objectives and development processes.
• Manage relationships with public agencies, developers, investors, and community-based organizations to advance collaborative housing solutions.
• Review and comment on rezoning petitions and development proposals to ensure consistency with City housing goals.
• Prepare and present regular reports, briefings, and updates to senior management, City Council, and the community regarding housing development performance and outcomes.
• Oversee compliance with local, state, and federal regulations applicable to housing development programs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Strong understanding of affordable and workforce housing development, including project financing, underwriting, construction, and asset management.
• Demonstrated experience managing the full lifecycle of housing projects — from feasibility and funding through construction completion, compliance, and long-term monitoring.
• Proven ability to supervise, mentor, and coordinate professional staff, effectively managing multiple complex projects and funding sources.
• Skilled in financial analysis and real estate pro forma development, including structuring mixed-finance deals that leverage local trust funds, LIHTC, and federal or private investments.
• Deep knowledge of zoning, land use, and planning principles, including density bonuses, voluntary and incentive-based zoning tools, and comprehensive plan alignment.
• Ability to evaluate and interpret rezoning petitions, site plans, and development proposals, ensuring consistency with City housing objectives and community development priorities.Strong capacity to build partnerships and coordinate with developers, investors, non-profits, and interdepartmental teams to achieve shared housing and policy goals.
• Ability to translate strategic housing objectives into actionable programs and measurable outcomes, advancing City priorities and long-term housing strategies.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and presentation skills, with the ability to prepare clear reports and policy recommendations for senior leadership and elected officials.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, problem-solving, and judgment, balancing policy vision with operational detail and regulatory compliance.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, finance, urban planning, real estate development, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience totaling at least seven years of progressive housing development experience.
• Master’s degree preferred, with a minimum of five years of experience in affordable or workforce housing development, finance, or project management, or a demonstrated record of equivalent experience and training.
• Coursework in finance, real estate, and planning that demonstrates the ability to evaluate development feasibility, structure project financing, and understand land use and zoning principles. Coursework in accounting, public administration, or community development is also beneficial.
• Professional certifications such as Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP), American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), or Certified Housing Development Specialist (CHDS) are preferred and reflect the ideal combination of technical and strategic expertise.

Minimum Qualifications:
Requires a high school diploma or equivalent with seven years of relevant work experience, an associate degree with five years of relevant work experience, a bachelor’s degree with three year of relevant work experience, or a master’s degree with one year of relevant work experience, along with knowledge of Microsoft Office.