Special Projects Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

ACOF is a nonprofit affordable housing development corporation founded in 1988 with the goal of developing housing for individuals and families with special needs. Its mission is to end homelessness through the provision of quality permanent supportive housing for people with mental illness. ACOF’s values are Dignity, Excellence, Equity and Community.

Under the supervision of either the Director of Housing or Assistant Director of Housing, the Senior Project Associate (SPA) provides support to project managers to during the lifecycle of the development process – from acquisition through conversion of permanent financing and leads at least one development project on their own. A key feature of the position is preparation for the future role as a Project Manager, by using independent judgement and critical thinking and performing critical tasks to ensure timely development of quality affordable multifamily housing.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

General

• Lead 1–2 real estate development projects as the project manager under the guidance of senior leadership, managing day-to-day project activities.
• Provide critical support as the project associate on 1–3 additional projects, supporting the Project Manager on tasks as needed.

Financing & Funding Applications

• Prepare and assemble financing applications for city, county, state, and federal sources; ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with all regulatory and application requirements.
• Draft, review, and track funding draw requests, check requests, and budget updates; ensure alignment with contract terms, project budget, and lender requirements.
• Assist in assembling due diligence documentation required for loan applications, loan closings, and investor underwriting.

Construction & Lease-Up Coordination

• Support construction administration, including tracking lien releases, managing utility setups, preparing drawings to lenders, and ensuring timely payments to the general contractor and consultants.
• Collaborate with Asset Management and Property Management teams to ensure smooth lease-up and compliance with financing requirements.
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure design and construction align with ACOF’s quality standards, design standards, and long-term operational needs.
• Transition the project and all pertinent documents and information to Asset Management, Property Management, and Services during the lease-up phase.

Pipeline Development

• Analyze the feasibility of potential acquisition sites including performing site analysis, researching site zoning and possible entitlement paths, obtaining, and reviewing title information, engaging consultants to complete due diligence associated with site acquisition.
• Prepare land use, entitlement, building permit applications in a manner that ensures consistency with the proposed project, ACOF’s priorities and project timelines.
• Working with senior management, prepare presentations for community meetings.

Administrative & Internal Responsibilities

• Prepare contracts, check requests, and other documentation timely. Ensure these documents are accurate and comply with ACOF policies and procedures.
• Solicit proposals from consultants needed to advance projects throughout the development process.
• Maintain organized project files and contribute to internal tracking tools and systems.
• Assist the project manager in scheduling and preparing for meetings, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of ACOF’s mission and department objectives.

Stakeholder Communication & Reporting

• Provide accurate, timely and strategic communication with the project team, consultants, lenders, public agencies, and community partners.
• Prepare materials for community meetings and participate in evening or weekend events as needed.
• Provide timely updates to senior leadership on project progress, risks, and key milestones.

Additional responsibilities when leading a project as a project manager:

Project & Schedule Management

• Prepare and manage projects’ development timelines, driving project tasks, and managing project consultants/vendors to keep the project on track and achieve ACOF’s goals.
• Assemble and manage the development team by: identifying consultants, negotiating and monitoring contracts; managing the design process including overseeing the work of design consultants to ensure consistency with ACOF’s standards, project program, budget, and development timeline; ensuring proper communication and coordination across the team; ensuring projects comply with all regulatory requirements, commitments, and contract terms.
• Manage the construction process including but not limited to reviewing and processing pay applications, attending construction meetings, reviewing change orders, managing consultants to ensure timely responses to requests for information, ensuring punch list items are addressed, checking for consistency with ACOF’s goals and standards.
• Collaborate with asset management, property management, and resident services during the predevelopment, construction, and lease-up phases to ensure accurate budgets, high quality designs consistent with ACOF’s design and specification guidelines, and smooth transitions to the operational phase.
• If a Project Associate is assigned to Senior Project Associates’ projects, provide leadership and support for the development of Project Associates and review Project Associates’ work for accuracy and completeness.

Financing & Funding Applications

• Negotiate financing terms, loan agreements, and partnership agreements with equity partners and project lenders while ensuring consistency with ACOF’s standards and preferred terms.
• Prepare, update, and manage project proformas, predevelopment budgets, and construction budgets.
• Independently prepare accurate and complete funding applications that meet applications requirements on time.
• Secure and close all public and private predevelopment, construction and permanent financing needed to complete development projects.
• Function as the primary contact for project lenders, investors, partners, and government agencies.

Pipeline Development

• Manage the entitlement application and approval process to ensure complete and timely submissions and obtain approvals consistent with the development schedule.
• Lead the community outreach process by developing and implementing community outreach plans, attending stakeholder meetings, and presenting at public hearings.

To perform effectively in this position, the Senior Project Associate must have:

Required Skills/Abilities

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines and work effectively across diverse teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with peers and public and private lenders.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor in representing ACOF to colleagues, constituents, funders, and public officials.
• Perform well under stress and interact well with others.
• Ability to effectively synthesize information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe; experience with project management or budgeting software a plus.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum 1.5 years of experience working for an affordable housing developer as an Assistant Project Manager, Project Associate or similar position supporting projects during the predevelopment and construction phases of development.
• Experience creating and updating proformas, draws, flow of funds for affordable housing developments with little support. Experience with other market rate projects will be considered.
• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal funding source regulations for affordable housing.
• Experience preparing at least two funding applications for local, state, or federal affordable housing funding sources.
• Experience preparing, reviewing, negotiating contract terms.
• Ability to negotiate contract terms independently.
• Results and deadline driven.
• One (1) year of experience using Excel to create spreadsheets and manage data.
• Familiarity with reading architectural plans and the construction process.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree/license in real estate or city/urban planning.
• Completed coursework in any of the following curriculum: land use, planning, zoning or entitlements or affordable housing financing.
• Experience performing site analysis for development opportunities for at least one site, two preferred.
• Experience completing due diligence for at least one construction or permanent financing closing for a multifamily affordable housing development.
• Experience leading at least one funding application for local, state, or federal affordable housing funding sources or completing an application independently.
• Experience supporting affordable housing development through the entitlement process.
• Experience negotiating loan terms/documents.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel to project sites and attend meetings throughout Los Angeles County and surrounding areas.
• Evening and weekend availability for community engagement events, as needed.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and eligibility for mileage reimbursement.