Senior Director of Community Investment

Background

The Real Estate Council

Founded in 1990, The Real Estate Council (TREC) is the largest and most influential membership organization of its kind, representing 95 percent of the commercial real estate business in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. TREC’s membership base of more than 2,000 professionals and 600 companies is comprised of developers, architects, builders, brokers, attorneys, bankers, and more. Because the commercial real estate sector, and TREC’s
members by extension, drive one-sixth of the economic output in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the organization wields strong influence in the region. Beyond opening doors for its members through networking, TREC also advances careers through leadership development, educational programs, and events, while also influencing public policy and driving community transformation. TREC also serves as a stimulus for philanthropy and volunteerism through thoughtful investment in the community.

Leadership Development

TREC offers personal and professional development opportunities for members at every career stage. Through programs like the Associate Leadership Council (ALC), Leadership Alumni Program, and Mentorship Program, members enhance their careers through education, networking, and valuable experiences.

Public Policy

Through the Public Policy Committee and the TREC Political Action Committee (PAC), the organization educates members and advocates for local and state policies that impact the commercial real estate industry promoting long-term economic growth across the region.

Events

As a robust social and networking organization, TREC boasts two signature fundraising events annually. Fight Night is a highly anticipated fundraising gala that has been held annually since 1989 and has raised more than $35 million to support TREC’s Community Investors and its neighborhood revitalization efforts. In 2023, the event raised $1.5 million.
In addition, Young Guns, the young professionals group boasting 1,000 members aged 35 and under, hosts a Casino Night attended by over 40% of their members that, in 2023, raised over $115,000. Proceeds from the night funded the group’s project to convert a former liquor store building into a community hub and pop-up space.

The Real Estate Council Mission

To cultivate relationships in the commercial real estate industry, to catalyze community investment, influence public policy, propel careers, and develop the leaders of tomorrow. We believe relationships are the lifeblood of career success, community investment, and civic responsibility. 

TREC Community Investors

For 30 years, TREC Community Investors (TREC CI), the philanthropic arm of the organization, has made catalytic investments with over 250 nonprofit organizations dedicated to transforming Dallas. In 2021, TREC merged the TREC Foundation and the TREC Community Fund to launch a newly reimagined TREC CI. Although it remains under the TREC umbrella, TREC CI is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providing a combination of loans, equity-equivalent investments, and expert TREC member technical assistance to work in collective partnership with neighborhood leaders and community members.

TREC Community Investors Mission
TREC Community Investors joins forces with underserved communities to invest in the disinvested, energize neighborhoods, and change lives. Through access to flexible capital and real estate expertise, we make an unwavering commitment to build a lasting impact in the communities we serve.

Loans
As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), TREC CI provides access to capital and technical assistance for real estate projects serving low-to moderate income neighborhoods and communities.

Dallas Housing Opportunity Fund
The Dallas Housing Opportunity Fund (DHOF) was launched in 2022 in partnership with Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) Strategic Investments and the City of Dallas. DHOF pools public and private capital to invest in the development and preservation of affordable housing. Since its inception in 2022, DHOF has funded over 400 units of affordable housing.

Dallas Catalyst Project
The Dallas Catalyst Project (DCP) is a place-based economic development initiative under TREC CI, led by TREC members. Its goal is to collaborate with underserved communities to invest in neglected areas, revitalize neighborhoods, and transform lives. Through access to flexible capital and real estate expertise, TREC CI makes an unwavering commitment to build lasting impact in the communities it serves.

In its initial project, TREC CI launched DCP: Forest District in 2018. Over a five-year period, TREC CI and its community partners revitalized the Forest District neighborhood, located adjacent to Fair Park, through 22 completed projects, and grants of more than $3 million in the community, in addition to over $1.2 million in pro bono professional services, and more than 6,000 volunteer hours. This investment by TREC CI catalyzed over $140 million of additional investment in the neighborhood.

In 2024, TREC CI has launched its second DCP initiative. Known as DCP: Mill City, the project will transform Mill City, another close-knit Southeast Dallas community blighted by vacant lots and increased crime. In partnership with the Mill City Community Association, Builders of Hope Community Development Corporation, and Urban Specialists, TREC members will provide professional expertise, in-kind services and volunteer hours to revitalize and energize the area. TREC CI has committed $1 million over a three-year grant period toward catalytic real estate projects that address neighborhood issues of food insecurity, public safety, affordable housing, outdated infrastructure, and a lack of community gathering spaces and youth mentoring opportunities.

Dallas Collaborative for Equitable Development
The Dallas Collaborative for Equitable Development (DCED) was created from a $6 million investment in TREC CI from JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s “Partnerships for Raising Opportunity in Neighborhoods” (PRO Neighborhoods) program. The DCED exists to help residents stay in their homes or obtain affordable housing, to create jobs and wealth, and
to foster community ownership and leadership.

Summary

The Opportunity
In the initial year of launching its next community investment initiative, TREC Community Investors, is seeking a Senior Director of Community Investment. This leader will collaborate with the TREC CI board to set the strategic direction for community investment initiatives in support of the organization’s overarching goals. With a culture that values integrity, professionalism, and ongoing improvement in the real estate sector, TREC CI offers ambitious individuals the opportunity to exercise their leadership, project management, and relationship building skills.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the President and Chief Executive Officer of TREC, the Senior Director strategically positions the organization within the context of changing philanthropic, social and political environments. Managing a team of five, the Senior Director is responsible for overseeing lending portfolio management, fundraising, community investment projects,
educational programs and outgoing grants. Essential functions include:

• Representing the TREC CI organization in philanthropic and lending activities
• Advising TREC CI leadership and the board regarding TREC CI’s role in community investment in the region
• Responsibility for business development, including oversight of originating, underwriting, and managing a portfolio of CDFI lending activities, as well as overseeing underwriting for the Dallas Housing Opportunity Fund
• Responsibility for directing and managing TREC CI educational programs
• Oversight of the grant making process, including data collection of community impact
  metrics which are provided to the board and funders
• Managing the Fundraising Director in fundraising efforts
• Building relationships with community partners, lenders and funders
• Overseeing place-based community impact programs led by TREC members as volunteers

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in banking, financial or community development areas, CDFI experience preferred.
• Experience with community-based organizations, and a proven track record of strong project and people management skills.
• Knowledge of the nonprofit sector required; existing relationships with local philanthropic organizations a plus.
• Commercial bank lending and underwriting experience required.

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive with comparable organizations, and commensurate with capability, experience, and prevailing market trends.

How to Apply

Senior Director of Community Investment – Peña Search Consulting (penasearch.com)