--- title: 'Director, Development Operations at Fairstead ESC LLC' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/director-development-operations-fairstead-esc-llc-new-york-new-york-70vrpcdkr15f' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-13' --- # Director, Development Operations at Fairstead ESC LLC - **Company:** Fairstead ESC LLC - **Location:** New York New York, United States - **Compensation:** $170k–$200k - **Posted:** 2026-07-05 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/fairsteadescllc/jobs/5291384008 ## Job description Fairstead is a purpose-driven real estate firm dedicated to building affordable communities across the country. Headquartered in New York, with offices in Colorado, Florida, and Washington DC, Fairstead owns and manages a portfolio of more than 30,000 apartments, including pipeline, across 28 states. As an integrated owner, operator, and innovator, Fairstead brings development, construction, and property management under one unified platform to deliver high-quality affordable housing that serves our residents at scale. At Fairstead, we believe affordable housing should be thoughtfully designed, professionally managed, and responsibly operated. We seek to create and preserve housing that serves residents while delivering long-term value to communities, partners, and stakeholders. Fairstead challenges industry norms through our tech-forward, entrepreneurial approach to affordable housing. In addition to core real estate capabilities, we operate innovative service lines designed to improve resident outcomes, strengthen communities, and drive operational efficiency. We embrace digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and emerging technologies, including AI, to build scalable systems that support sustainable growth, grounded in a culture of entrepreneurship, innovation, partnership, dedication, and integrity. The Director, Development Operations will be responsible for managing, overseeing, and optimizing the performance of a subset of our affordable multifamily real estate portfolio. The primary focus will be on enhancing the value of our assets, maximizing returns, and mitigating risks by developing and executing on asset-specific business plans. This role reports directly to the Senior Director, Development Operations. The Development Operations team sits within the larger Development team and is comprised of several groups, including Portfolio Management and Special Projects. These groups oversee the operations of the entire Fairstead portfolio and execute on asset and portfolio management, stabilization, strategic initiatives, utility management, budgeting, forecasting, and capital transactions. Responsibilities: - Direct, hands-on management and oversight of a portfolio of affordable multifamily assets. - Conduct thorough financial analysis, including cash flow projections, budgeting, and financial modeling to evaluate the ongoing performance and potential of each property. - Develop, manage, and execute comprehensive business plan strategies for the affordable multifamily assets and portfolio. - Investigate variances and identify opportunities to enhance asset performance by analyzing market trends, property operations, and capital improvements. Implement strategies to maximize property values, rental income, occupancy rates, and cash flow. - Work closely with affiliated management companies, as well as third-party managers, to devise and carry out property strategies and business plans for each property. - Assist in the updates of the high-level reporting metrics across the enterprise. - Assist with preparation and submission of information for real estate tax appeals. - Assist with preparation and submission of transactional due diligence materials. - Assess and manage risk factors associated with the portfolio, including market conditions, leasing and occupancy risks, and capital expenditure requirements. Develop contingency plans and risk mitigation strategies. - Prepare regular performance reports and updates for senior management, investment, and other stakeholders. - Present investment strategies, financial analyses, and portfolio performance in a clear and concise manner. - Collaborate with internal teams, including acquisitions, development, construction, and property management to align asset management strategies with broader organizational goals. - Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including investors, lenders, vendors, property management teams, and brokers. - Work closely with construction managers to determine project schedule, scope, and capital needs. - Oversee budgets and monthly variance reports submitted by property management. - Identify value-add projects throughout the portfolio and visit properties on an as-needed basis. - Identify opportunities for capital transactions, including refinancing and dispositions, and assist with executing exit strategies to optimize returns. - Forecast cash flows over the hold period. - Perform special projects and other related duties as required. Requirements: - Minimum 8+ years’ applicable real estate experience required - Bachelor’s degree required - Prior team management and leadership experience - Demonstrated ability to communicate with lenders, investment partners and other external stakeholders. - Experience in multifamily affordable portfolio and asset management - Knowledge and experience with the Project-Based Section 8 and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Programs gained from asset management, operations, or development. - Experience in understanding partnership agreements, loan documents, regulatory agreements, and other deal-related documents - Strong proficiency in financial modeling, Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel), and analytical skills - Demonstrated competency in financial statement analysis, business valuation, accounting, and finance. - Experience in budgeting, accounting, and financial analysis - RealPage and Yardi experience - Manages multiple priorities while demonstrating the initiative to produce results by driving processes - Strong project management skills and follow-through - Team-oriented with strong integrity and professionalism. - Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills - Exceptional attention to detail and sound judgement - Up to 20% travel required This role is preferably based in our New York City office. We are open to considering candidates outside of New York City, and relocation assistance can be discussed. This role is bonus eligible. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location. Salary Range $170,000—$200,000 USD Diversity in backgrounds and experiences is key to Fairstead’s success. Being an equal opportunity employer is a central tenet of our philosophy that shapes who we are and the communities we serve. Our goal is to ensure competitive total compensation that is commensurate with experience, location, and other market benchmarks. For information about how we use your personal information, including information submitted for career opportunities, please review our Privacy Policy at https://fairstead.com/privacy-policy/ ## About Fairstead ESC LLC ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Fairstead is a purpose-driven national real estate firm dedicated to building and managing sustainable, affordable communities across the United States. - **Entity Type**: Private (Privately Held) - **Headquarters**: New York, New York, United States - **Founded**: Not publicly available - **Founders**: Jeffrey Goldberg (CEO) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Real Estate – Affordable Housing, Property Management, Development, Acquisitions, Sustainability - **Target customers**: B2B (investors, partners, government agencies) and B2C (residents of affordable housing communities) - **Mission or purpose statement**: “Grounded in empathy and powered by innovation, Fairstead builds vibrant, thriving communities across the country.” [fairstead.com](https://fairstead.com/about/) ## Products & Services - **Affordable Housing Communities**: Fairstead owns and manages more than 27,000 apartments across 28 states, providing high-quality, affordable rental housing. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/fairstead) - **Development & Construction**: In-house expertise in new construction, substantial rehabs, and seismic retrofits (e.g., $120M Samuel Madden Homes redevelopment). [fairstead.com](https://fairstead.com/) - **Sustainability & Resiliency**: Projects include solar roofs, heat pumps, low-flow plumbing, and energy-efficient retrofits, achieving up to 30% energy cost savings. [fairstead.com](https://fairstead.com/about/) - **ResiBridge**: In-house internet service providing affordable broadband to residents (active job postings for Network Deployment Technicians). [greenhouse.io](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/fairsteadescllc) - **Property Management & Resident Services**: Full-service management including compliance, leasing, maintenance, and community programs. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company) - **Key Metric**: $500 million equity commitment announced in 2026 to expand the nation’s affordable housing portfolio. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/fairstead/jobs) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Freddie Mac (named 2025 & 2026 Impact Sponsor), NAHMA (ranked #15 on 2026 Affordable 100 List), Kentucky Housing Corporation, Miami Beach City Commission. [fairstead.com](https://fairstead.com/about/) - **Growth Signals**: 10.6% year-over-year headcount growth (175 employees), 99 active job postings, 24,500+ LinkedIn followers (+7.2% YoY), and consistent industry awards (Top 50 Owner, Top 10 Companies Completing Substantial Rehabs). [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/fairstead/jobs) ## Competitive Advantages - **Comprehensive Platform**: In-house capabilities across acquisitions, development, construction, asset management, and property management – rare in the affordable housing space. - **Sustainability Leadership**: Proven track record of deep energy retrofits and green certifications (Energy Star Award, Gold Award in Excellence Green Initiative). - **Scale & National Reach**: Over 27,000 units in 28 states with regional offices in New York, Colorado, Florida, and Washington, D.C. - **Purpose-Driven Mission**: Strong emphasis on community impact, resident services, and responsible stewardship differentiates from purely profit-driven firms. ## Strategic Focus - **Expansion of Affordable Housing**: Continued acquisition and development of affordable communities, backed by a new $500M equity commitment. - **Sustainability & Decarbonization**: Retrofitting existing properties with green technologies to reduce carbon footprint and operating costs. - **Technology Integration**: Deploying ResiBridge for affordable internet and investing in proptech to improve operations and resident experience. - **Talent Growth**: Hiring across compliance, property management, development, finance, and technology to support national portfolio growth. ## Why Work Here - **Purpose-Driven Culture**: Employees are motivated by a mission to create positive change in communities. The company states: “We believe an organization united in purpose makes a difference.” [fairstead.com](https://fairstead.com/careers/) - **Growth Opportunities**: 99 open positions across multiple divisions (compliance, property management, development, finance, tech) with a 10.6% headcount growth rate. Internship programs also available. - **Work Environment**: Mix of office (NY, Denver, Delray Beach, Bethesda, Fort Mill) and remote roles (e.g., Traveling Compliance Specialist). The company emphasizes a “people first” approach. - **Notable Perks & Recognition**: CEO Jeffrey Goldberg named New York Entrepreneur Of The Year® (2022); company consistently ranked among top affordable housing owners and managers. - **Diverse Career Paths**: Roles range from community management and maintenance to senior engineering, finance, and sustainability – suitable for both early-career and experienced professionals. ## Sources 1. [fairstead.com](https://fairstead.com/) 2. [fairstead.com/about](https://fairstead.com/about/) 3. [fairstead.com/careers](https://fairstead.com/careers/) 4. [greenhouse.io - Fairstead ESC LLC Jobs](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/fairsteadescllc) 5. [linkedin.com/company/fairstead](https://www.linkedin.com/company/fairstead/jobs) ## Other roles at Fairstead ESC LLC - [Senior Litigation Attorney](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-litigation-attorney-fairstead-esc-llc-new-york-new-york-k8dm9k9t22dz) — New York New York, United States - [Assistant Community Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/assistant-community-manager-fairstead-esc-llc-baltimore-maryland-6s0sbp0wej5m) — Baltimore Maryland, United States - [Community Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/community-manager-fairstead-esc-llc-whistler-bk71e3z41yke) — Whistler, AL - [Community Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/community-manager-fairstead-esc-llc-whistler-wj9bj2fghcj6) — Whistler, AL - [Apartment Maintenance Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/apartment-maintenance-manager-fairstead-esc-llc-north-las-vegas-nevada-zqg2rp6x0r5y) — North Las Vegas Nevada, United States - [Apartment Maintenance Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/apartment-maintenance-manager-fairstead-esc-llc-houston-texas-73f3288sf6ez) — Houston Texas, United States - [Violations Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/violations-coordinator-fairstead-esc-llc-brooklyn-new-york-sp82mee7h7g6) — Brooklyn New York, United States - [Resident Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/resident-coordinator-fairstead-esc-llc-brooklyn-new-york-s0xf7qftj0c9) — Brooklyn New York, United States - [Development Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/development-analyst-fairstead-esc-llc-washington-y2xmkehzy6dv) — Washington, DC - [Apartment Maintenance Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/apartment-maintenance-technician-fairstead-esc-llc-fayetteville-north-carolina-8bve9xnc86ym) — Fayetteville North Carolina, United States