Chief Operations Officer

Job Location: Milwaukee, WI

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) is a key member of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee's (HACM) executive leadership team and supports the Executive Director by providing strategic and organizational leadership across a number of core program areas. This includes Public Housing (PH), Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) developments, and affordable market-rate housing developments. It also includes oversight over the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program which is operated and managed by a third-party contractor, CVR Associates.

The COO is responsible for advancing HACM's mission through sound operational management, fiscal accountability, regulatory compliance, and optimizing performance. This role ensures the efficient and effective delivery of high-quality housing and leads continuous improvement efforts to enhance the outcomes for households served by HACM.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic and Executive Leadership

• Supports the Executive Director in the development and execution of the agency's strategic plan, goals, and policy initiatives.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and operational leader in initiatives to improve agency performance and service delivery.
• Oversees the implementation of corrective actions that are necessary for HACM to recover from Troubled status for both its Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs, including those specified in the HUD Recovery Agreement and the Sustainability Plan or in Corrective Action Plans for the voucher program.

Program & Operations Oversight

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of all housing programs, including: Public Housing, RAD. LIHTC, and affordable market-rate housing developments. This includes all aspects of property operations, including but not limited to: waitlist management, eligibility, leasing, regulatory compliance and reporting, maintenance, and inspections.
• Ensures compliance with all HUD regulations, LIHTC regulations, other federal, state and local laws, and agency policies across all departments.
• Monitor property performance, property budgets, and capital improvement plans.
• Establish, monitor and refine operational standards/metrics, staffing models, and service benchmarks.
• Oversee property management (in-house and third-party) and maintenance operations and performance, including occupancy, unit turnaround, rent collections, work order performance, preventative maintenance, and REAC/NSPIRE readiness and inspection scores.
• Facilitate coordination between the vendor for the HCV program and HACM property management to ensure timely leasing of HACM-owned project-based voucher LIHTC developments.
• Negotiate and manage lease agreements and regulatory/finance documents with counsel and partners.

Financial and Compliance Management

• Ensure robust fiduciary and compliance controls are implemented for program operations and procurement/contracting.
• Perform oversight and ensure compliance with partnership agreements, HUD requirements and regulations, and LIHTC requirements and regulations.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting requirements are met for HUD, Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), investors, and other funding sources/partners.
• Review program performance and operational metrics to maintain or improve service and performance while looking for opportunities to reduce costs.
• Collaborate with Finance department on financial budgeting and reporting, capital fund planning, and resource allocation.

Development, Real Estate & Portfolio Transformation

• Working closely with executive leadership, conduct portfolio analysis and update Asset Management Plan; recommend repositioning strategies (rehab, redevelopment, acquisition, conversion, or disposition) to strengthen long-term financial and physical viability of housing developments and of the organization.
• Advance the CNI transformation plan and other revitalization initiatives; structure repositioning transactions (e.g., LIHTC, RAD/Section 18, mixed-finance, etc.) with public/private/philanthropic partners.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement & External Affairs

• Represent HACM in meetings with HUD, WHEDA, local government, investors, donors, residents, resident organizations, landlords, neighborhood groups, media, and other partners.
• Facilitate investor, lender, and state housing agency relations and coordinate communications with the various partners regarding LIHTC developments.

People, Culture & Talent

• Lead and develop senior directors/managers in fostering a high-performing, collaborative, data-driven and accountable team culture that leads to the achievement of excellence and the implementation of best practices.
• Promote a customer-service culture centered on dignity, respect, and timely resolution of resident concerns.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Business, Finance, Law, Real Estate, or a similar field;
• OR, 10 or more years of progressively responsible experience in public housing, affordable housing operations, or a closely-related field;
• OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated proficiency with HUD programs (Public Housing, HCV/Section 8; knowledge of RAD/Section 18 helpful), affordable housing (LIHTC, mixed-finance), asset/property management, finance/budgets, procurement, capital planning, and compliance preferred.
• Other: Valid driver's license

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Resident-Centered Service: Provides excellent resident-centered customer service based on respect, dignity, and good communication.
• Integrity and Trust:Leads with honesty, transparency, and consistency; builds trust across all levels of the organization.
• Strategic Execution: Provides strategic and operational leadership via measurable plans with budgets, milestones, and accountability.
• People Leadership: Values professionalism and teamwork; coaches staff to ensure their development within the organization; manages change with empathy and clarity; maintains a responsive, solutions-focused approach to internal and external relationships.
• Financial & Regulatory Acumen: Excellent knowledge of HUD/LIHTC regulations and has basic financial/budget skills.
• Fair Housing & Access: Promotes compliance with fair housing laws and ensures policies and practices support equal opportunity for all residents.