Director of Property and Real Estate Services, Action for Boston Community Development

Action for Boston Community Development

Seeks Director of Property and Real Estate Services

About ABCD

Action for Boston Community Development (“ABCD”) is a nonprofit human services organization that each year impacts 100,000 residents with the tools and resources needed to transition from poverty to stability and from stability to success. To fulfill this purpose, ABCD uses a comprehensive approach, through its local neighborhood based services center network to systematically address the range of barriers faced by households in poverty, from day-to-day crises to long term needs for jobs and education. As one of the nation’s largest members of the Community Action Network created with the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act in 1964, highlights of ABCD’s work include:

• Health – ABCD’s Health Services Department keeps residents and communities healthy through public health and wellness programs, including Title X family planning. Through its community provider network, tens of thousands of people in Greater Boston and beyond access sexual reproductive health services each year.
• Children’s Services – ABCD’s children services begin before babies are born through its national Head Start program. Programs range from teaching to health screenings to family supports which aim to help caregivers find time to work or go to school and build a better life.
• Energy – ABCD offers many heating and energy services to income eligible residents of Boston, Brookline, Newton and the Mystic Valley cities and towns of Malden, Medford, Everett, Melrose, Stoneham, Winchester, and Woburn. ABCD helps residents stay warm in winter, cool in summer, and even assist residents go green!
• Workforce Development – ABCD offers educational and career training programs to help people achieve their employment and career goals. Whether clients want to pursue a career in early childcare, financial services, healthcare, information technology, the restaurant industry, or several other fields, ABCD likely has a pathway to pursue.

ABCD has a staff of 850 and an annual operating budget of approximately $325 million.

Position Overview

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Administration, the Director of Property and Real Estate Services (“Director”) oversees ABCD’s mix of 40 owned and leased properties throughout Boston and the Mystic Valley. Leading a skilled team of 7 individuals responsible for all property-related services, core responsibilities include upkeep of owned properties; management of internal property services team and external property management companies; coordination of subcontractor activities; building emergency resolution; and oversight of landlord relationships, asset acquisitions, and occupancy.

Specific Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Relationship Management

• • Design, implement, and refine organizational systems and processes, working effectively across departments and with outside partners and vendors to manage ABCD’s properties.
  • Participate actively in annual and long-term budget planning by providing insights and projections related to technical and construction projects for existing and new assets.
  • Identify potential building and/or rehab sites for possible agency program use.
• Collaborate with program staff and the properties team to nurture relationships with landlords, follow-up on property management issues and landlord concerns, and mobilize appropriate resources.

Property Management and Oversight

• • Oversee day-to-day management of the agency's leased and owned properties either directly or through third party property managers.
  • Plan, implement, and oversee the administration of physical improvement projects at ABCD sites.
  • Serve as an expert resource with all ABCD departments and other neighborhood staff to identify applicable property related needs, including lease negotiation, site searches, and physical improvements.
  • Respond to property-related emergencies as needed; it is expected that off-hours emergencies would be rare, and the majority would be handled by phone.
  • Collaborate with property team to conduct the initial, annual, and special inspections of spaces according to city, state, and federal standards.

Leasing, Compliance, and Reporting

• • Ensure the quality of and compliance with systems to track and report regularly on property acquisition, property turnover, property readiness, occupancy, insurance claims, and maintenance issues.
  • Secure various licenses, permits, zoning variances, inspections, etc. for ABCD sites with appropriate regulatory entities.
  • Ensure timely lease renewal of all units; track lease dates and follow through on all aspects of the renewals.
  • Interface with the finance team to support rent invoicing and client payments.

Staff Management

• • Manage, review, and mentor the ABCD’s Property Services team including the maintenance team, property management staff, and departmental administrative support;
  • Set comprehensive goals for performance and growth for employees within the Director’s areas of responsibility.
  • Oversee training of staff on property-related matters, ensuring compliance with agency policies.

Other Responsibilities

• • Collaborate with Planning and Grants staff to obtain funding for capital and other real estate-related expenditures.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Profile of the Ideal Candidate

Credentials:

• A minimum of ten years of experience in community development, housing, property management, facilities services, and/or real estate.
• Bachelor’s degree in business management or a related field or equivalent experience.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Skills and Qualities:

Strategic Asset Management

• Able marry day-to-day operations with a long-term vision, creating one-, three-, and five-year outlooks for the real estate portfolio.
• Skilled at developing and implementing an asset management strategy for both owned and rented properties with a focus on capacity, utilization, and asset quality and performance.
• Experience in creating budgets and utilizing the financial tools associated with real estate and property management.
• Knowledge of city, state and federal building codes and related regulations as well as with banking rehabilitation financing packages.
• Experienced in contracts and project management.
• Some background in energy conservation techniques would be advantageous.

Operational Excellence & Systems Improvement

• Strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to work well with managers, peers, direct reports, and internal and external partners.
• Strong day-to-day planning and operations skills, with the desire to provide hands-on assistance.
• Process-oriented mindset with the ability to evaluate, improve, and document workflows.
• Commitment to and skilled at moving ABCD toward technology-driven systems to improve the real estate department’s efficiency, effectiveness, management, and reporting.

Collaborative Leadership

• Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to form mutually beneficial relationships with internal and external parties, such as management companies, city, state, and federal officials, and landlords, to advance ABCD’s real estate goals.
• Ability to understand the needs of renters and the community served by ABCD and to deal sensitively and effectively with individuals of diverse economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Exhibit strong communication skills, both oral and written, to build and sustain trust and maintain open and honest communications.
• Effective and experienced staff leader who understands the abilities of each team member so the team can collectively maximize its contributions.
• Able to manage expectations vertically and horizontally and to set boundaries when needed.
• Skilled at rapport development with diverse personalities, comfort working with consultants and managing external vendors, and able to play well in the “sandbox” with others.

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position with a starting salary range of $120,000 to $140,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications. ABCD also offers a highly comprehensive and generous benefits package which includes health insurance (80% paid by ABCD), dental, group life and disability, 403b plan with extremely generous employer contribution, and significant paid time off. This on-site position is housed at ABCD’s headquarters on Tremont Street in Boston. This on-site position is housed at ABCD’s headquarters on Tremont Street in Boston.

Additional Information and Application Process

At ABCD, employees are as diverse as the individuals and families served. ABCD staff are community advocates, educators, students, mentors, volunteers, and businesspeople. At ABCD, your passion can influence those around you. It inspires, motivates, and drives staff, shaping the way they work and creating positive change in lives both in communities and at the agency. ABCD is the organization it is because of the people who believe in its mission, and for nearly 60 years, ABCD has continued its practice of developing innovative and successful programs. Many ABCD employees have started at the agency as volunteers or interns or landed their first job out of school. And many stay for five, ten or more years because ABCD recognizes talent and dedication, and it does its best to cultivate its staff.

ABCD is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. To apply, candidates must include a resume and a cover letter, both in PDF format, which describe how qualifications and experience match the needs and mission of ABCD. A background check will be required of finalists. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Upload required documents to: https://eostransitions.applicantpool.com/jobs/.

This executive search is being conducted by Eos Transition Partners consultant, John Tarvin. All submissions will be acknowledged and are confidential, and any questions can be submitted to John at: jtarvin@eostransitions.com.