Deputy Executive Director of HRA

Under the direction of the City Administrator, Deputy Executive Director (DED) provides operational, financial, and administrative leadership of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) while ensuring full regulatory compliance and organizational excellence.? This position oversees the day-to-day operation of the HRA by ensuring effective implementation of the policies, priorities, and goals set forth by the City Administrator. ?

The Deputy Executive Director is responsible for developing and leading a high-performing team in a collaborative and supportive environment and delivering measurable community impact.? The Deputy Executive Director works with the City Administrator, community stakeholders, public officials and staff to ensure the HRA succeeds in providing safe, affordable, quality housing with excellence, and in compliance with HUD requirements, Minnesota statutes, Dakota County CDA requirements, MHFA program requirements, fair housing laws, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.Supervisory Responsibilities
Direct Oversight Supervision: Housing Programs Administrator, Property Managers, Housing Office Specialist, Maintenance Staff, Cleaner/Caretaker Staff
Indirect Supervision: Temporary Employees, Assigned Contractors and Consultants

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Deputy Executive Director position is a highly responsible, professional, supervisory, and administrative leadership position within the HRA. The Deputy Executive Director exercises significant discretion and performs a broad range of duties relating to the successful oversight of HRA capital improvements, asset management, regulatory compliance, day-to-day operations, administration, and management of the Housing Authority including but not limited to:

Strategic Leadership

• In partnership with the City Administrator, lead the execution of a long-term vision for the HRA consistent with the City’s mission.
• Develop and implement strategic plans, translating vision into actionable goals and initiatives.
• Anticipate trends and challenges facing the HRA and proactively adapt strategies to meet those challenges.
• Promote innovation and continuous process improvement, project management, and performance measurement.  

Team Leadership & Organizational Culture

• Cultivate a high-performance, results-driven, values-aligned team.
• Develop and retain a talented team with diverse expertise; provide clear direction, mentorship, support, and accountability.
• Lead, manage, and hold accountable HRA staff (including recommending discipline if necessary) and align their work with established goals and priorities.

Administrative & Managerial Duties

• Oversee the management, planning, and general direction of the HRA.
• Recommend new hires; train, supervise, evaluate staff performance; recommend promotions and terminations of employment.
• Draft HRA budgets for the City Administrator approval and administer HRA budgets once approved.
• Prepare records, files, and reports. Analyze data and prepare recommendations for City Administrator action.
• Advise the City Administrator in developing and recommending HRA policies and programmatic actions.
• Attend required meetings, including preparation of written and oral presentations at HRA Board and City Council meetings as directed.
• Provide the City Administrator with regular updates and written and verbal reports on HRA activities.

Key Relationships & Partnerships

• Assist the City Administrator in serving as lead ambassador of the HRA, establishing and maintaining productive and collaborative relationships with the HRA Board, City Council, Resident Councils, community stakeholders, public officials, nonprofit partners, and private-sector stakeholders.
• Actively engage public housing residents and community organizations to ensure programs are responsive to local needs.
• Represent the HRA in policy discussions and public meetings.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality public housing programs and services by establishing and tracking key performance indicators and compliance requirements to assess results and drive continuous improvement.
• Promote innovation and evidence-based practices to maximize outcomes for HRA residents and stakeholders.

Financial Stewardship

• Promote the financial health of the HRA by effectively securing funding; efficiently budgeting, evaluating, and forecasting; and allocating resources to ensure asset preservation and sustainability.
• Build strong relationships with funding sources, clearly articulating the HRA’s community impact and value.
• Oversee the administration of grant and loan funds including meeting all established (especially HUD and MHFA) contracting obligation, spending, and reporting requirements.
• Keep the City Administrator informed of HRA program performance by analyzing budget and financial statements and providing regular reports to the City Administrator.  This includes providing detailed oversight of all HRA capital improvements, asset management functions, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and overall supervision of all department staff and operations.
• Establish departmental priorities, annual work plans, performance expectations, and benchmarks.
• Oversight of assignments and execution of work ensuring staff accountability, operational effectiveness, and alignment with organizational goals and objectives.

Additional Duties

• In the absence of the Executive Director (City Administrator), the Deputy Director represents the Housing Authority in meetings with partner agencies, makes public appearances, and communicates with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Attend HRA Board, City Council, and resident/community meetings as required.
• With the assistance and guidance of the City’s Communications Department, develop effective communication and branding strategies; oversee marketing, publication, and communication efforts.
• Respond to after-hours emergencies involving housing facilities and operations as required.
• Performs other duties of a comparable level or type as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, housing administration, public administration, finance, or a closely related field. ?Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in public housing administration, affordable housing, or related governmental housing programs.? Demonstrated knowledge of public housing programs, financial management, and regulatory compliance.? Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.? Prior supervisory experience. ?Valid driver’s license for work-related travel.? Ability to obtain and maintain required certifications and training. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. 

Preferred Qualifications include:

• Master’s degree and/or professional housing certifications (PHM, etc.).  
• Prior experience as Deputy Executive Director or senior leader at an HRA/PHA/CDA including supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated track record in improving an HRA/PHA/CDA’s PHAs score, correcting other third party (especially HUD) noted performance deficiencies; audit and compliance remediation.
• Experience with HUD’s senior-designated public housing.
• Experience administering HUD Public Housing programs.
• Experience managing capital projects and federal grants.
• Experience with housing finance, redevelopment, or affordable housing initiatives.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The position requires a thorough knowledge of public housing, housing authority programs, policies, and operational procedures; knowledge of other agencies and resources, and the ability to relate to other workers as well as the public. Incumbent must be able to take direction, maintain confidentiality, and perform work in a trustworthy and ethical manner. 
Knowledge of: 

• Extensive knowledge of HUD public housing regulations and reporting systems. 
• Extensive knowledge of Federal, State, County, and Local housing regulations and reporting systems.
• Extensive knowledge of public housing operations, including but not limited to eligibility, leasing, occupancy, management, maintenance, budgeting, routine and capital improvements, audit and compliance requirements. 
• Fair housing laws and civil-rights regulations. 
• Minnesota landlord-tenant law. 
• Housing-finance and grant-administration practices. 
• Budgeting, accounting, auditing, and financial management. 
• Capital planning and grant administration. 
• Procurement and contract management practices. 
• Public-sector records management and data privacy requirements.

Skills & Abilities in:

• Comprehensive skill leading mission-driven change, managing programs, building strategic relationships, managing work processes, and financial resources.
• Demonstrated ability to display analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Proven ability to lead and coordinate HRA staff including project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to display strong communication skills, including strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to analyze and apply complex regulations and policies.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with staff, co-workers, residents, public officials, and community partners.
• Knowledge of and experience with basic software systems including Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Familiarity with PHA software systems including PIC.
• Ability to supervise, train, coordinate, and evaluate staff and oversee contractor performance.
• Ability to administer budgets, grants, contracts, and capital projects.
• Ability to develop policies and operational procedures.
• Ability to resolve complex tenant and operational issues.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information appropriately.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and statutory deadlines.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands
This is a professional administrative and supervisory position performed primarily in office and residential housing environments with periodic site inspections. The position regularly involves interaction with staff, elected officials, governmental agencies, residents, businesses, and the public regarding HUD housing matters. The position requires occasional evening meetings and emergency response activities.  

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.  Work regularly requires sitting, standing, walking, speaking, hearing, use of hands and fingers, and ability to operate standard office equipment. The position may occasionally require reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, carry, push, or move materials weighing up to 25 pounds.