Executive Director

Summary

Description

 This is an outstanding opportunity for a visionary and strategic leader to join a financially sound, high-performing housing authority. As Executive Director of the Colorado Springs Housing Authority (CSHA), you will guide the organization into its next phase of growth—expanding affordable housing and increasing the availability of units for communities across the Pikes Peak region. In this highly visible role, you will build and strengthen partnerships with local governments, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders to drive meaningful, lasting impact.

The Organization

The Colorado Springs Housing Authority (CSHA) is dedicated to providing and sustaining quality affordable housing by being innovative, performance-oriented, and results driven. We work to establish effective partnerships and sound fiscal practices to benefit the quality of life in the Pikes Peak Region.

CSHA is committed to being a leader in the provision of quality affordable housing by:

• Being accountable to our customers, our community, and each other.
• Striving for excellence in performance and communication.
• Creating and sustaining a durable, communicative, and positive organization.

CSHA has five (5) Housing Programs:

Housing Choice Voucher:  The Housing Choice Voucher program is a rent subsidy program that assists eligible low-income persons and their families in obtaining affordable, decent, and safe housing by paying a portion of their rent. 

Public Housing: CSHA owns and manages 706 single-family and multi-family homes across the El Paso County region. This program provides affordable housing for low-income families, and elderly and/or disabled individuals. All programs receive funding and oversight from HUD.

Senior and/or Disabled Housing: Senior and/or disabled housing consists of several apartment buildings located throughout Colorado Springs as part of our Public Housing and CSHA Managed programs. 

Managed Properties: Properties in this program are the only properties exempt from the CSHA prerequisite of living and/or working in El Paso County at the time of application to be placed on the wait list. This program includes properties specifically for our senior and/or disabled community and units for otherwise eligible families. All properties fall under HUD and CHFA regulations.

Outside Managed: Properties in this program are either owned by CSHA and managed by an outside property management company or are properties CSHA has partnered with to use our tax-exempt status to develop additional affordable housing in the El Paso County area. The CSHA does not manage any of these properties.

The Role

Location:

Colorado Springs, CO

Reports to: 

Board of Commissioners

Direct Reports:

Deputy Director who leads a team of seven (7) executives including the Finance Director, HR Generalist, IT Manager, Section 8 Supervisor, four (4) Asset Managers, Maintenance Department Supervisor, Inspection Supervisor, Executive Assistant

Position Overview & Opportunity:

The Executive Director (ED) reports to the Board of Commissioners and leads a highly committed and capable team. The ED will provide strategic leadership to all CSHA departments, programs, partners, and community stakeholders to ensure the provision of quality affordable housing. They will be prepared to undertake growth and innovation in real estate development activity of permanent housing with a particular focus on below 50% AMI and large multi-family unit developments through collaborative relationships with all partners in the real estate development ecosystem. The ED will work collaboratively with the Board of Commissioners, and executive staff in financial planning, development, asset management and strategic goal setting.

The ED will ensure CSHA builds upon an exceptionally strong foundation and remains fiscally sound. They will be responsible for the development of capital investment policies and objectives, sourcing debt, equity, and capital grants and continuing to seek out new opportunities to increase and support the activities of the real estate portfolio, and relationships with local developers. 

This position is a highly externally facing role. Maintaining open communication and strong relationships with city, state and federal stakeholders, the development community, financial institutions and the business community, organizational partners, residents and the broader community is critical to the success of the incoming ED.

Strategic Leadership & Board Relations

• Drive the vision and strategy for growth; engage both internal and external stakeholders to achieve CSHA’s next level of impact.
• Explore trends within affordable housing and community and real estate development; develop new programs and develop strategies to make existing programs more successful and increase the inventory of affordable housing.
• Expand entrepreneurial efforts to increase non-HUD revenues through innovative funding initiatives and partnerships with other entities.
• Ensure CSHA secures the necessary resources through federal financial assistance, capital financing and other financial instruments to meet its goals and objectives.
• In collaboration with the Finance Director, oversee the preparation of the annual budget for Board of Commissioners’ approval; keep the Board informed of the financial health of CSHA and other significant activities.
• Serve as a primary advisor to the Board of Commissioners and ensure that relevant, accurate, and timely information is provided to inform and guide the Board’s strategic level thinking and to ensure fulfillment of the fiduciary responsibilities to the organization.

Real Estate Development

• Negotiate real estate development transactions that maximize return on investment to CSHA.
• Monitor all aspects of CSHA’s real estate development projects including, but not limited to, assembling property, identifying diverse sources of financing, tax partnership programs and building a robust pipeline of both below and market rate development; responsible for the timely completion of projects within the scope of development plan.
• Establish goals and priorities for each real estate development project and plan, schedule, and coordinate work activities through to completion with the developer and project partners; plan, administer, allocate, negotiate, and monitor revenue and/or expenditures to ensure cost-effective management of projects.
• Identify economic, political, and social trends that influence, affect, or have a significant impact on CSHA’s real estate development policies, programs and current portfolio.
• Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Work with the city to administer tax credits.

External Relations & Partnership Development

• Act as CSHA’s spokesperson within the community, media, and all external stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with city, state and federal agencies, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), community groups, residents, and the public to address inquiries, complaints, or regarding CSHA development activity, requirements, policies, and procedures.
• Conduct conflict resolution with partners, developers, and other external constituents with respect to project related issues, including, but not limited to, codes, ordinances, and professional standards.
• Participate in public presentations, leverage financial, political and community support for projects.

Financial & Internal Leadership

• Provide general oversight of all CSHA’s financial activities; ensure diversity of revenue-generating initiatives and innovative financing strategies with a focus on financial sustainability.
• Ensure a strong system of asset management of CSHA’s existing real estate portfolio utilizing industry best practices; ensure residential properties are healthy, thriving communities.
• Align financial resources to best support strategic goals; in concert with the Deputy Director ensure the effective management of day-to-day operations and a highly functioning organization.
• In collaboration with the CFO and the Deputy Director oversee the development of the annual operating budget for the organization; ensure that the organization is in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations and obligations and operates within approved budget guidelines.
• Foster an environment of competency and independence; support a high-performing team, and create continuous opportunities for growth and development across the organization.

Qualifications

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of executive management and leadership experience including strategic planning and execution in affordable housing, real estate development and property management, knowledge of funding resources in housing program areas, community development, or public administration.
• Broad general management experience in complex organizations across finance/finance development, human resources, operations, marketing, programming, raising capital, and working with Boards.
• Track record of developing and executing strategic plans; creating and monitoring budgets, negotiating complex financial transactions; ability to structure complex development deals and build innovative partnerships diversifying revenue and other funding streams.
• Experience working collaboratively with and building positive relationships with developers, financial institutions, politicians, community leaders, residents, and organizational partners.
• Demonstrated ability to minimize confrontations, disagreements, complaints, and grievances and resolve them in a constructive manner; work with CSHA staff, staff from other organizations, vendors, consultants, and local stakeholder groups to generate areas of agreement and joint action.
• Track record of utilizing the following finance sources: New Market Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, LIHTC, HUD funding, bond financing, and loans and tax increment financing.
• Strong understanding of local, county, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations pertinent to development; knowledge of HUD Rules and regulations preferrable; analyze the impact of legislative and funding changes.
• Strong understanding of rules and regulations of a variety of funding agencies and programs including HUD, Colorado State Division of Housing, El Paso County and the City of Colorado Springs.
• Achievement in change environments, bringing to scale complex projects; adept at assessing operational requirements necessary to support sustainable growth and healthy organizational culture.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Personal Characteristics:

• Committed to expanding the role of CSHA as a leader in providing quality affordable housing in the Pikes Peak region.
• Visionary and entrepreneurial leader able to manage and drive change, and willing to take calculated risks.
• Strong business acumen in financial and real estate development; highly numerate and strives for excellence and continuous improvement.
• Experienced community leader comfortable building relationships and strategic partnerships in diverse settings.
• Excellent relationship building skills; able to work effectively with all internal and external stakeholders.
• Skilled negotiator and problem-solver; makes well informed and objective decisions.
• Excellent people management and leadership skills; demonstrates high emotional intelligence and conveys respect.
• Adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.
• Growth-oriented with strong organizational and management skills; ability to delegate and roll up sleeves.
• Strong public speaker and transparent communicator; able to gain confidence and trust of all CSHA stakeholders.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration or related field. 

Compensation

• The anticipated compensation for this role is $200,000. Base salary is one component of CSHA's total compensation, and CSHA is proud to offer its employees a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Any final offer will be based on various factors including job-related knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience.

The Colorado Springs Housing Authority does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, family status, age, religion or disability, in compliance with the Fair Housing Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.