Chief Operating Officer

EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION - APPLY ONLINE

The Jacksonville Housing Authority is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. It is the policy and the intent of the Jacksonville Housing Authority to provide equality of opportunity in employment for all persons, and in all aspects of its personnel policies, programs, practices, operations, and in all its working conditions and relationships with employees and applicants for employment. Recruitment, hiring, assignment, training, compensation, promotion, retention, and disciplinary decisions will be made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected class status applicable under local, State of Florida or federal law.

POSITION

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Summary

Serves as the head of JHA operations programs as the principal adviser to the CEO, Chief Executive Officer, in directing and implementing strategies, policies, and practices that maximize the key programs and general operations of the agency.  This position will oversee the Housing Choice Voucher Program, Public Housing, Compliance and Resident Services (FSS, ROSS, etc.).

Essential Job Functions

• Planning, directing, supervising, coordinating and evaluating all of the daily operations integral to the activities of Housing Management (under Public Housing, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Programs), the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), Maintenance, Real Estate Development and Capital Fund Programs. Heavily involved in strategic planning and organizational development.
• Oversees Housing Operations, Assisted Housing, and Customer Service functions regarding administrative operations, goals, progress toward meeting goals and problem areas.
• Collaborates with departmental leadership to identify and address operational needs and provides leadership to proactively improve JHA operations.
• Provides visionary leadership to staff and ensures long-term sustainability of agency operations by developing goals and objectives, implementing strategies, promoting collaboration between departments, and building relationships with external players.
• Prepares program analysis, policies, procedures, and position papers for the CEO.
• Handles sensitive and confidential information skillfully and ethically.
• Monitors annual property budget performance with Directors of HCV (Section 8), Maintenance, Property Management and Resident Services. Reviews annual budgets prepared by the CFO (Chief Financial Officer).
• Analyzes monthly performance measures reports prepared by the CFO and must be able to present key findings to the CEO and articulate follow-up actions.
• Oversees public housing and affordable housing functions of the agency and provides direction to meet the organization's long and short-term goals.
• Represents the Housing Authority in the community, with HUD, and other groups and agencies, as needed.
• Stays abreast of public housing matters, developments, and opportunities by studying HUD regulations, laws, ordinances, and publications, and by attending professional conferences, trainings, and meetings.
• Assists the CEO with strategic planning including the formulation of short and long-term goals and plans for the agency.
• Resolves disputes, aggravated problems, or other matters, as needed.
• Attends and presents at quarterly Board meetings, goals and strategic objectives and updates on progress.
• Prepares agency goals and strategic objectives annually with designated senior management team.
• Presides over regular senior management meetings to discuss company priorities, monitor progress and promote cross-department collaboration.
• Establishes budgets and management practices for new real estate developments, ensures smooth transition from development to operations while also ensuring all lease-up schedules are met.
• Participates in assessing needs and establishing goals and plans for the Housing Agency.
• Participates in monthly company financial performance reviews with CFO.
• Monitors market conditions and oversees rent increases.
• Continually enhances industry knowledge and expertise through property management publications, trainings, networking events, trade group association membership and webinars.
• Promotes communication and collaboration between departments to ensure positive company culture, and main point of contact for owners and community partners.
• Solicits new business opportunities through existing relationships, fostering new relationships and ensuring a positive reputation within the industry.
• Act as ambassador and public face for the agency -attends networking events and sits on organization committees.
• Uses knowledge of industry practices, tenant-landlord law, standards, procedures, and new legislation to constantly update and improve JHA policies and procedures.
• Trains and holds employees accountable to adhering to JHA policies and procedures so that agency exposure to liability is minimized and operational efficiencies are maximized.
• Performs any, and all, other related and appropriate duties and supports strategic goals as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION

Education - A Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration/ management or closely related disciplines is required. A Master's degree in these same discipline areas is preferred. 

Experience - Ten (10) years of progressive responsibility in leading a property management company or division with a focus on affordable housing; demonstrated ability to manage staff; expertise with local, state and federal housing regulations; strong Section 8, FHA Multifamily, Public Housing and Low Income Housing Tax Credit knowledge and experience; established relationships with HUD and affordable housing providers; experience and familiarity with City of Jacksonville neighborhoods is a plus; solid understanding of accounting requirements; working knowledge of MS Office and YARDI Voyager property management software; strong written and verbal communication skills. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of HUD, and other federal, state, and local policies, procedures, and regulations related to the operation of a public housing agency.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of budgeting, budget administration and report preparation techniques.
• Ability to anticipate and forecast events in the external environment that have the potential to impact agency performance. Finds and sustains competitive advantage by building core competencies. Evaluates strategy implementation and results systematically, and makes strategic adjustments, as necessary.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities while maintaining effectiveness. Strong organizational skills, time management skills, attention to detail, and an appropriate sense of urgency are necessary.
• Ability to compare, contrast and quality check work with keen attention to detail. Able to present numerical data orally and in writing, including through graphics. Ability to apply creative thinking and problem-solving in the execution of one's duties. Ability to analyze reports and data to formulate recommendations
• Ability to work additional hours, if required, and work with pressing deadlines and being task oriented. Proactively seeks work assignments when current assignments have been completed-takes initiative- and is challenged by full workloads. Willingness and flexibility to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while handling a variety of responsibilities is essential
• Skills creating good working relationships at all levels within the agency. Prioritizes tasks effectively for self and assigned team. Understands the needs of different stakeholders and communicates with them as deemed appropriate.  Brings people together to solve problems. Cultivates relationships with employees, residents, vendor and community partners. Develops and implements new ideas.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially spreadsheets, databases and reporting tools. Proficient in the use of electronic management systems.
• Effective interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills: you thrive when working with employees and residents.
• Skilled in the preparation and presentation of ideas and information in formal and informal settings.
• Planning, directing, supervising, coordinating and evaluating all of the daily operations integral to the activities of Housing Management (under Public Housing, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Programs), the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), Maintenance, Real Estate Development and Capital Fund Programs. Heavily involved in strategic planning and organizational development.
• Oversees Housing Operations, Assisted Housing, and Customer Service functions regarding administrative operations, goals, progress toward meeting goals and problem areas.
• Collaborates with departmental leadership to identify and address operational needs and provides leadership to proactively improve JHA operations.
• Provides visionary leadership to staff and ensures long-term sustainability of agency operations by developing goals and objectives, implementing strategies, promoting collaboration between departments, and building relationships with external players.
• Prepares program analysis, policies, procedures, and position papers for the CEO.
• Handles sensitive and confidential information skillfully and ethically.
• Monitors annual property budget performance with Directors of HCV (Section 8), Maintenance, Property Management and Resident Services. Reviews annual budgets prepared by the CFO (Chief Financial Officer).
• Analyzes monthly performance measures reports prepared by the CFO and must be able to present key findings to the CEO and articulate follow-up actions.
• Oversees public housing and affordable housing functions of the agency and provides direction to meet the organization's long and short-term goals.
• Represents the Housing Authority in the community, with HUD, and other groups and agencies, as needed.
• Stays abreast of public housing matters, developments, and opportunities by studying HUD regulations, laws, ordinances, and publications, and by attending professional conferences, trainings, and meetings.
• Assists the CEO with strategic planning including the formulation of short and long-term goals and plans for the agency.
• Resolves disputes, aggravated problems, or other matters, as needed.
• Attends and presents at quarterly Board meetings, goals and strategic objectives and updates on progress.
• Prepares agency goals and strategic objectives annually with designated senior management team.
• Presides over regular senior management meetings to discuss company priorities, monitor progress and promote cross-department collaboration.
• Establishes budgets and management practices for new real estate developments, ensures smooth transition from development to operations while also ensuring all lease-up schedules are met.
• Participates in assessing needs and establishing goals and plans for the Housing Agency.
• Participates in monthly company financial performance reviews with CFO.
• Monitors market conditions and oversees rent increases.
• Continually enhances industry knowledge and expertise through property management publications, trainings, networking events, trade group association membership and webinars.
• Promotes communication and collaboration between departments to ensure positive company culture, and main point of contact for owners and community partners.
• Solicits new business opportunities through existing relationships, fostering new relationships and ensuring a positive reputation within the industry.
• Act as ambassador and public face for the agency -attends networking events and sits on organization committees.
• Uses knowledge of industry practices, tenant-landlord law, standards, procedures, and new legislation to constantly update and improve JHA policies and procedures.
• Trains and holds employees accountable to adhering to JHA policies and procedures so that agency exposure to liability is minimized and operational efficiencies are maximized.
• Performs any, and all, other related and appropriate duties and supports strategic goals as required.

Core Competencies

Strategic Leadership:  Demonstrates knowledge of technical accounting duties involving the maintenance and reporting of financial accounting data; high level of business acumen, including the ability to balance the delivery of programs against the realities of a budget; comprehensive knowledge of strategic planning and project management concepts, methods, techniques, and practices; and ability to remain current in developments and trends in the area of assignment.

Initiate and Build Relationships:  Accepts and celebrates differences within your team. Creates a culture that supports the open-door process and gives employees and residents your time. Be present and available.  Execute empathy and understanding to build connections with people. Trust and provide honest, timely feedback.

Operational Excellence:  Embraces principles and tools to create sustainable improvement across all assigned departments within the agency. Fosters and creates an environment that is resident, and employee focused, to achieve long-term sustainable growth for the agency. Ensures the right tools are applied to the right processes.

Execution and Result:  Defines specific and measurable objectives. Identifies key performance indicators. Stays focused on the results and not the process. Leverages resources available to solve problems and achieve desirable outcomes.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

To perform this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position. Daily movements include sitting; standing; operating computers and other office equipment; moving about the office; attending onsite and offsite meetings. The employee must be able to communicate via email and verbally via telephone. The employee must occasionally transport up to ten (10) pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The work is primarily conducted in an office environment, with a high level of interaction with external/internal clients.  The position may require work to be performed at different properties or sites for interim periods to support business needs., and employee may be subject to environmental elements when conducting visits to various sites or participating in outside events.

Other: Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable by Jacksonville Housing.

We anticipate hiring at the minimum of the respective pay grade per contractual obligations.

We are an EOE & DFWP. A successful applicant will be required to pass a background check including but not limited to employment history, criminal record and driving record, and may be subject to a pre-employment drug screening.

This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job classification. All incumbents may not perform all the job duties listed, and some incumbents may perform some duties which are not listed, and incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description.