Manager Development

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

The Development Manager’s primary purpose is to manage the development of numerous affordable housing projects from site identification, permitting and construction through to building occupancy utilizing a non-profit delivery partner.

The position leads or supports site preparation activities, procurement of development partners, deal structuring and funding arrangements, negotiation and management of development agreements and ground leases, guiding partners through zoning and permitting processes and review of complex financial/proforma and feasibility analysis for these projects. The position establishes and manages collaborative relationships with numerous City departments/staff, other government agencies and non-profit partners to effectively deliver the multi-million dollar development projects within the Vancouver Affordable Housing Endowment Fund (VAHEF) portfolio.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

1. Supports the identification, assessment and progression of land opportunities as directed by the Director of Non Market Housing Development to deliver affordable housing units across the city – both City and partner owned sites.
2. Scopes and develops project plans to deliver assigned projects and liaise with the City staff to determine initial requirements and to develop the site specific specification. Develops these requirements as necessary during the project.
3. Manages assigned projects through the development process including obtaining the needed permits and facilitating rezoning applications through the City of Vancouver Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability processes.
4. Manages the capital budgets and analyzes proformas to assess the financial viability of assigned projects.
5. Manages the procurement of development partners by defining RFP requirements and evaluation of proposals ultimately leading to contract negotiation with preferred proponents.
6. Leads or supports in negotiating contracts, land, financing, construction and operations related to the project.
7. Manages all agreements with the City associated with non-market housing projects including services agreements, development agreements and ground leases.
8. Reviews key project deliverables produced by delivery partners for quality assurance and adherence to project/contractual requirements.
9. Liaises with appropriate City staff and project partners as required to keep all parties informed of the progress of the work through all phases of the project.
10. Coordinates project workflow and collaborates with City departments and project partners to find solutions to key issues and expedite the delivery of non-market housing projects.
11. Writes, presents reports and makes recommendations to council and other internal oversight committees.
12. Promotes the activities of non-market housing and secures opportunities for new development, new funding resources or innovative delivery mechanisms.
13. Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Engineering, Architecture or Urban Land Economics is preferred and minimum of eight years related project management experience in real estate/residential development, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
2. Project Management training/certificate such as a PMP designation preferred, or equivalent experience.
3. Experience managing mixed discipline consultant teams, keeping the project on time and on budget and managing associated contracts.
4. Experience in preparing and managing large capital budgets.
5. Experience in preparing and analyzing development proformas.
6. Experience in preparing requests for proposal and evaluating responses for large developments (preferably in an affordable housing context).
7. Experience in the design and construction of residential buildings (preferably affordable housing) and with utilizing urban planning principles and urban site optimization.
8. Experience in negotiating and managing development and lease agreements.
9. Experience working within a public sector environment.
10. Accreditation in any of planning, design, architecture, real estate, contract management, project management and finance professions or equivalent, preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of the Vancouver Building Bylaw.
2. Knowledge of the City of Vancouver Permit practices and Planning processes.
3. Knowledge of institutional and sustainable building design and construction practices.
4. Knowledge of MS Office suite such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
5. Ability to analyze complex situations, determine appropriate courses of action and make recommendations to senior management.
6. Excellent interpersonal, communications, mediation, and conflict resolution skills.
7. Results-oriented with the ability to effectively manage multiple projects with tight timelines.
8. Skill in preparing project specifications and consulting agreements.
9. Ability to prepare and manage large capital budgets.
10. Ability to manage large mixed discipline consultant teams, keeping the project on time and on budget.
11. Ability to prepare requests for proposal and evaluate responses for large developments (preferably in an affordable housing context).
12. Ability to negotiate and manage development and lease agreements.
13. Ability to estimate costs of a variety of building projects, types of materials, methods of estimating and classes of estimates.
14. Ability to deal effectively with architects, engineers, contractors, non-profit partners, City Departments and the general public to establish cooperative working relationships.
15. Ability to review, analyze and effectively critique building plans, specifications, contract documents and other key project deliverables.
16. Ability to reconcile differing perspectives, develop consensus, and secure cooperation and support from both partners and team members without direct authority.
17. Ability to write and present clear, concise and complete reports and recommendations.
18. Ability to lead, motivate, manage and develop staff.
19. Ability to demonstrate high degree of independent judgment.
20. Thorough knowledge of the Vancouver real estate market an asset.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Office of the City Manager (1010)

Affiliation: Exempt

Employment Type: Regular Full Time

Position Start Date: January 2025

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-101: $111,139 to $138,924 annually

Application Close: November 24, 2024

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process.