Director of LIHTC & Compliance

Position Overview

This role provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for a multi-site Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) portfolio, including compliance operations, property management system functionality (OneSite/RealPage), regulatory reporting, and audit readiness. The Director of LIHTC & Compliance partners with executive leadership and key stakeholders to develop and implement compliance strategies, strengthen operational controls, and ensure adherence to all applicable affordable housing program requirements.

This position requires a deep understanding of affordable housing compliance, strong leadership capability, and the ability to manage complex regulatory frameworks while supporting portfolio performance and operational excellence across multiple properties and jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Portfolio Oversight

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including property management, leasing, accounting, compliance, and system administration to ensure consistent and compliant operational workflows.
• Oversee processing of rental applications, move-ins, move-outs, annual and interim recertifications, and other LIHTC and compliance-related activities.
• Develop and present management-level reporting for senior leadership, owners, investors, and regulatory agencies.
• Ensure timely submission of compliance reports to federal, state, and local monitoring agencies, as well as private investors and stakeholders.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of affordable housing programs including LIHTC (Section 42), HUD, HOME, Section 8, Rural Development, and other applicable housing programs.
• Monitor regulatory updates and interpret changes to ensure organizational compliance and best practices.
• Serve as the primary liaison for property management systems, including functionality, reporting, user access, and system enhancements.
• Oversee Tenant Selection Plans and Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plans (AFHMPs), including updates, reviews, and implementation.
• Coordinate internal, external, and regulatory audits and ensure timely and accurate responses to findings and inquiries.
• Support annual agency and investor reporting requirements, including research, analysis, and response preparation.
• Ensure implementation and adherence to all compliance policies, procedures, and operational standards.
• Conduct post-project and process reviews to identify improvements and strengthen compliance and operational efficiency.

Financial Oversight

• Oversee implementation of annual income and rent limit updates, including utility allowance analysis where applicable.
• Support preparation and oversight of property budgets based on historical performance and financial analysis.
• Monitor portfolio financial performance and ensure alignment with approved budgets and operational targets.
• Analyze financial statements and operational reports to identify performance gaps and support corrective actions.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial and compliance-related reporting across the portfolio.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop compliance and operations teams across multiple locations.
• Conduct performance evaluations and support professional development initiatives.
• Oversee training programs for site-level and compliance personnel, ensuring ongoing education and regulatory awareness.
• Establish performance metrics and accountability frameworks for team effectiveness.
• Manage escalated compliance, operational, and personnel matters with sound judgment and professionalism.
• Foster a culture of compliance, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Maintenance & Asset Compliance Oversight

• Oversee property maintenance, repair, and capital improvement activities to ensure compliance with established standards.
• Conduct routine inspections to ensure properties meet safety, appearance, and operational requirements.
• Monitor maintenance-related expenses to ensure cost-effective operations and budget adherence.
• Ensure vacant unit readiness, work order management, and property condition standards align with compliance and ownership expectations.
• Support alignment of physical asset conditions with regulatory, safety, and organizational requirements.

Stakeholder & Customer Experience

• Maintain strong communication with internal departments including accounting, property management, and compliance teams.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with owners, investors, agencies, and regulatory bodies.
• Promote positive relationships with residents, applicants, and external stakeholders.
• Ensure responsive, professional, and compliant communication across all operational areas.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of LIHTC multi-site portfolio or compliance management experience.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent industry experience.
• Strong knowledge of Section 42 LIHTC requirements, HUD programs, Rural Development, and other affordable housing regulations.
• Experience with OneSite/RealPage or similar property management systems.
• Experience with compliance reporting, audits, and regulatory agency coordination.

Essential Knowledge & Skills

• Advanced knowledge of affordable housing compliance programs and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong leadership, team development, and performance management capabilities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, project management, and time management skills.
• High attention to detail with ability to interpret complex regulatory and contractual documents.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in compliance and operational contexts.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, and email systems.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a highly regulated environment.
• Strong relationship-building, influencing, and conflict resolution skills.