Director, Project Based Vouchers & Special Programs

Housing Authority of Cook County
  • Chicago, Illinois
    Today

    Job Description

    Director, Project Based Vouchers (PBV) and Special Programs
     
    Position Summary
    The Director of Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) and Special Programs provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and regulatory direction for the Housing Authority’s Project Based Voucher Program and assigned HUD Special Programs. The Director is responsible for advancing affordable housing initiatives, maximizing program performance, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering partnerships that expand housing opportunities and promote resident self-sufficiency. This position provides executive oversight of Project-Based Voucher operations, Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS), and other HUD-funded special programs while serving as a key advisor to executive leadership on housing policy, program development, regulatory compliance, and strategic initiatives. The Director develops innovative solutions that improve housing stability, strengthen community partnerships, and enhance resident outcomes while ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources.
     
    Essential Duties and Responsibilities

    Strategic Leadership & Program Development
    Develop and implement strategic initiatives that expand affordable housing opportunities 
    through the Project-Based Voucher Program and other HUD Special Programs.
    Evaluate emerging housing needs and recommend innovative program enhancements 
    aligned with the Authority’s Strategic Plan.
    Identify opportunities to expand housing inventory through Project-Based Voucher 
    developments and strategic community partnerships.
    Recommend policy, operational, and program improvements that enhance customer 
    service, operational efficiency, and housing outcomes.
    Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership regarding affordable housing 
    initiatives, HUD regulations, and special program development.
    Lead organizational change initiatives affecting PBV and Special Programs.
     
    Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Administration
    Direct all operational aspects of the Project-Based Voucher Program.
    Oversee competitive selection processes for PBV developments in accordance with HUD 
    regulations and agency policies. 
    Monitor execution and administration of Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contracts. 
    Ensure timely lease-up of PBV units and maximize voucher utilization. 
    Oversee owner relations, contract compliance, and program performance.
    Coordinate PBV development activities with internal departments, developers, and 
    external stakeholders.
    Monitor occupancy rates, vacancy trends, and portfolio performance. 

    Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) & Special Programs
    Provide strategic oversight of the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program and assigned HUD Special Programs.
    Monitor participant outcomes, escrow account growth, employment outcomes, graduation rates, and performance measures. 
    Develop partnerships with workforce development agencies, educational institutions, financial literacy providers, employers, and community organizations to improve resident self-sufficiency.
    Evaluate program effectiveness using performance metrics and continuous improvement strategies.
    Ensure assigned Special Programs operate in compliance with HUD regulations while supporting resident independence and economic mobility. 
    Oversee implementation of future HUD Special Programs and demonstration initiatives as assigned.

    Affordable Housing Development & Community Partnerships
    Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with developers, property owners, 
    management companies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, service providers, and community stakeholders. 
    Collaborate with internal departments on new affordable housing development opportunities. 
    Participate in project planning, environmental review coordination, lease-up planning, and implementation activities.
    Represent the Housing Authority before governmental agencies, industry organizations, and community partners. 
    Identify partnership opportunities that expand affordable housing resources and supportive services.

    Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
    Ensure compliance with all applicable HUD regulations, federal statutes, state laws, agency policies, and Administrative Plan requirements.
    Oversee compliance related to:
    Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contracts
    Fair Housing
    Equal Opportunity
    Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
    Reasonable Accommodations
    Environmental Review requirements
    Uniform Relocation requirements (when applicable)
    Coordinate HUD monitoring reviews, audits, and corrective action plans.
    Interpret regulatory guidance and implement operational changes as required.
    Develop internal policies and procedures that promote regulatory compliance and operational consistency.

    Financial & Performance Management
    Monitor program budgets, Housing Assistance Payments (HAP), grant expenditures, and 
    funding utilization.
    Develop forecasting models and recommend resource allocation strategies.
    Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for PBV and Special Programs.
    Analyze utilization rates, leasing performance, vacancy trends, participant outcomes, 
    financial performance, and operational metrics.
    Prepare reports and presentations for executive leadership, HUD, and the Board of 
    Commissioners.
    Recommend operational improvements based on performance data and industry best 
    practices.

    Leadership & Organizational Excellence
    Direct, supervise, coach, and evaluate assigned management and professional staff.
    Establish departmental goals, objectives, and performance expectations.
    Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, customer service, and continuous improvement.
    Foster employee engagement and professional development.
    Lead cross-functional teams in support of strategic organizational initiatives.
    Collaborate with Finance, Legal, Procurement, Asset Management, Resident Services, Inspections, Compliance, and Housing Choice Voucher Operations to achieve 
    organizational goals.
     
    Minimum Qualifications

    Education
    • Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Urban Planning, Housing Administration, Human Services, Finance, or a closely related field.
    • Master’s degree preferred.
    Experience
    Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience administering federally assisted housing programs, affordable housing initiatives, or related public sector programs.
    Minimum of three (3) years of management or supervisory experience.
    Experience administering Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Programs required.
    Experience overseeing HUD-funded Special Programs preferred.
    Experience working with developers, community organizations, and governmental agencies preferred.
    Experience interpreting HUD regulations and managing compliance reviews.
     
    Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
    Thorough knowledge of:
    HUD regulations
    Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Program
    Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program
    Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)
    Affordable housing development
    Federal housing legislation
    Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contracts
    Administrative Plans
    Fair Housing requirements
    Program compliance
    Public sector budgeting
    Performance management
    Strategic planning
    Community partnership development
    Ability to:
    Interpret complex federal regulations.
    Build strategic partnerships.
    Lead organizational and operational change.
    Analyze program performance and financial data.
    Develop policies and operational procedures.
    Resolve complex operational and regulatory issues.
    Effectively communicate with executive leadership, HUD representatives, developers, 
    elected officials, and community stakeholders.
    Lead and develop high-performing teams.
    Manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.

    Preferred Certifications
    Certified Public Housing Manager (CPHM)
    Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS)
    Housing Choice Voucher Specialist Certification
    Nan McKay Housing Program Certifications
    National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Certifications
     
    The salary range is $110,000 - $115,000.

    BENEFITS
    • Health insurance
    • FREE Dental insurance
    • FREE Vision insurance
    • Life insurance
    • Healthcare flexible spending account
    • Dependent Care flexible spending account
    • Commuter flexible spending account
    • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
    • Paid time off including 14 Holidays
    • Hybrid Schedule
    • Flexible Work Hours
    • 401(k) - Employer contribution of 6%

    This job description is subject to change and in no manner states or implies that these are the only 
    duties and responsibilities to be performed. The qualifications listed above are guidelines, other 
    combinations of education and experience that could provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and 
    abilities to perform the job will be considered

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationChicago, Illinois
    Websitehttps://thehacc.org

    Skills

    • Affordable Housingunmatched
    • Alliance/Partner Managementunmatched
    • Analysis Skillsunmatched
    • Asset Managementunmatched
    • Budget Managementunmatched
    • Budgetingunmatched
    • Business Administrationunmatched
    • Business Strategyunmatched
    • Coachingunmatched
    • Communication Skillsunmatched
    • Community Developmentunmatched
    • Continuous Improvementunmatched
    • Corrective Actionunmatched
    • Cross-Functionalunmatched
    • Customer Support/Serviceunmatched
    • Escrowunmatched
    • Federal Laws and Regulationsunmatched
    • Financeunmatched
    • Financial Literacyunmatched
    • Financial Managementunmatched
    • Financial Operationsunmatched
    • Flexible Spending Accountsunmatched
    • Forecastingunmatched
    • Fundingunmatched
    • Governmentunmatched
    • Government Organizationsunmatched
    • Healthcareunmatched
    • Interpret Regulationsunmatched
    • Leadershipunmatched
    • Legalunmatched
    • Local Governmentunmatched
    • Maintain Complianceunmatched
    • Needs Assessmentunmatched
    • Nonprofitunmatched
    • Operational Improvementunmatched
    • Operational Strategyunmatched
    • Operations Processesunmatched
    • People Managementunmatched
    • Performance Analysisunmatched
    • Performance Managementunmatched
    • Performance Metricsunmatched
    • Policy Developmentunmatched
    • Policy Implementationunmatched
    • Presentation/Verbal Skillsunmatched
    • Procedure Developmentunmatched
    • Procurement Managementunmatched
    • Program Evaluationunmatched
    • Project Planningunmatched
    • Project Trackingunmatched
    • Public Administrationunmatched
    • Public Housingunmatched
    • Real Estate Developmentunmatched
    • Regulationsunmatched
    • Regulatory Complianceunmatched
    • Reporting Skillsunmatched
    • Resource Managementunmatched
    • Risk Managementunmatched
    • Set Goalsunmatched
    • State Laws and Regulationsunmatched
    • Stewardshipunmatched
    • Strategic Planningunmatched
    • Team Lead/Managerunmatched
    • Team Playerunmatched
    • Time Managementunmatched
    • Urban Planningunmatched

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