Deputy Executive Director

POSITION SUMMARY
This is a highly responsible administrative position assisting the Executive Director in all aspects of day-to-day management for an array of affordable housing programs with a special focus on fiscal management, compliance and modernization. The incumbent is responsible for the completeness and accuracy of budgetary and financial records required and/or maintained by the Authority. The incumbent must have expertise with the state and federal laws and regulations under which the Authority operates, and be able to develop, install, and monitor all controls necessary to protect the integrity of the organization. The incumbent also works as a liaison with government agencies as determined by the Executive Director. Work is performed with considerable independence of judgement and decisions that are in compliance with the EOHLC, HUD, IRS, LIHTC and other applicable guidelines. The incumbent assumes all duties of the Executive Director in his/her absence in partnership with Director of Maintenance & Modernization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Executive Leadership: Acts for and in the absence of the Executive Director, managing all operations and supervising senior staff, including department heads in partnership with the Director of Maintenance & Modernization. Provides supervision to the Director of Finance, and the Director of Leased Housing.

Financial Management & Modernization: Oversees all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting for federal and state programs. Provides supervision to the Director of Finance and any other finance staff. Assists in preparing and reviewing annual budgets submitted to state and federal agencies. Ensures GAAP/Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) compliance; maintains robust internal controls to protect assets and fiscal integrity. Acts as point of contact with AHA’s Fee Accountant for monthly, quarterly and annual reporting. Leads modernization initiatives for financial systems and processes to improve efficiency, transparency, and compliance. Implements technology-driven solutions for financial planning and reporting. Ensures accuracy and completeness of financial records and compliance with HUD, EOHLC, IRS as well as other State and Federal guidelines where applicable and appropriate. Develops and monitors internal controls to safeguard organizational assets and fiscal integrity. Acts as point of contact for annual audits including EOHLC’s PMR and HUD’s SEMAP.

Voucher & Public Housing Program Oversight: Provides strategic leadership for the Housing Choice Voucher Program & Public Housing Program, including planning, policy development, and performance monitoring. Ensures compliance with HUD & EOHLC regulations and guidances, and optimizes program utilization and funding. Implements initiatives to improve efficiency and service delivery for residents, voucher holders and landlords.

 

Affordable Housing Development: Responsible for planning and implementing large-scale housing redevelopment projects, including but not limited to financing structures for affordable housing redevelopment. Coordinates with federal, state, and local agencies on compliance and funding requirements. Manages stakeholder engagement, including residents, community organizations, and developers.

Strategic Planning & Policy Development: Collaborates with the Executive Director, Director of Maintenance & Modernization, Director of Operations and department heads to develop long-term organizational strategies and policies. Prepares narrative and statistical reports for internal and external stakeholders. Participates in modernization planning and capital improvement initiatives.

 

Risk Management, Compliance & Data Governance: Maintains agency‑wide risk register; mitigates operational, financial, compliance, and cybersecurity risks. Establishes and enforces policies/SOPs for records retention, data privacy/PII protection, and information security; ensures high‑quality data across core systems (e.g., PHA Web, CHAMP, EIV, PIC, other EOHLC/HUD Systems). Oversees corrective actions and continuous monitoring plans; conducts internal reviews to proactively identify issues.

Personnel & Organizational Management: Provides leadership and guidance to department heads, including the Director of Operations, Director of Leased Housing and Director of Finance, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Oversee human resources functions as well as the Shared Human Resources Pilot Project. Maintains oversight of information systems and ensures data integrity. Drives workforce planning, succession/coverage planning, and professional development; fosters peer‑to‑peer backup coverage across critical roles. Leads organizational change initiatives; streamlines workflows; promotes cross‑departmental coordination.

 

Community, Partner & Intergovernmental Relations: Represents AHA in high-level meetings with community organizations and partners and other Federal, State and Local agencies/officials as directed by the Executive Director.  Strengthens partnerships that expand housing access, services, and economic mobility for residents.

Other Duties: Performs additional responsibilities as directed by the Executive Director.

 

QUALIFICATIONS
·         Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.

·         Minimum of five (5) years of executive-level experience in a housing authority or comparable organization, with demonstrated responsibility for financial management and strategic planning.

·         Expertise in HUD programs, particularly Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher administration.

·         Strong knowledge of budgeting, accounting principles, and regulatory compliance.

·         Experience in large-scale affordable housing redevelopment and modernization projects, including financing structures, and implementing technology-driven solutions.

·         Experience supervising senior-level staff and managing multiple departments.

·         Exceptional organizational, analytical, and communication skills.

·         Ability to work collaboratively and maintain confidentiality.

·         Valid driver’s license required.

 

JUDGMENT AND COMPLEXITY

Guidelines only provide limited guidance for performing the work, which may be in the form of administrative or organizational policies, general principles, regulations, legislation, or directives that pertain to a specific department or functional area. Extensive judgment and ingenuity are required to develop new, or adapt existing, methods and approaches for accomplishing objectives or to deal with new or unusual requirements within the limits of the guidelines or policies. The employee is recognized as the authority in interpreting the guidelines and in determining how they should be applied.

 

NATURE AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

Relationships are constant with co-workers, the public, and with groups and/or individuals who have conflicting opinions or objectives, diverse points of view, or differences where skillful negotiating and achieving compromise is required to secure support, concurrence and acceptance, or compliance. The employee will be a public face for the Executive Director when interacting with staff, Board members, and external individuals or groups, for procedures or policy, using good judgment and insight to analyze circumstances and act appropriately, ethically,  and for the benefit of each member authority.

 

CONFIDENTIALITY

The employee has access to confidential information, including official personnel files, lawsuits, criminal records/investigations, client records, and department records, as well as medical and psychological records and is responsible to protect and safeguard it following standard industry practices and all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

 

TRAVEL

The ability to travel is an essential function of this position. Candidate must possess a valid driver’s license at the time of hire and must be eligible to operate agency vehicles and/or use personal vehicle for work-related travel (mileage reimbursement may apply), or be able to meet essential job travel responsibilities routinely to the office, frequently to member authority locations, and occasionally to EOHLC, training sites, and state offices or courthouses by an alternative method

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

 

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods and operate a computer; use, manipulate, prepare, and/or inspect objects and documents, and to receive and communicate information and ideas so others will understand. The employee must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. The employee is frequently required to access items, documents and equipment located in varying positions and at different heights. The employee is required to move and traverse through workplace office environments and attend meetings at other sites. The employee must be able to position or move up to 10 pounds and up to 15 pounds occasionally for various needs. The employee is regularly required to observe, inspect, perceive, identify, and/or recognize persons, documents and objects at close and far range.

This is an office-based job in a dynamic housing authority office.  While performing the duties of the Deputy Executive Director, the employee is required to: interact and communicate frequently with the Executive Director, Board of Commissioners, Department Heads, Staff, Executive Directors and staff of other Housing Authorities including those participating in the Shared HR Pilot program, the public, tenants and potential tenants, government officials, other staff members, and/or third parties transacting business with the Arlington Housing Authority; operate standard office equipment including telephones, computers and keyboards, at efficient speed; travel to and move throughout the member Authority’s physical offices.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary Range: $125,000 – $145,000 (Commensurate with experience).

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, retirement plan, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To apply please submit a cover letter and resume to Jack Nagle at 4 Winslow Street, Arlington, MA 02474 or by emailing to [email protected]. Position will remain open until filled.
All candidates are subject to a comprehensive pre-employment background screening including but not limited to criminal, education and employment.

 

The Arlington Housing Authority is an Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity Employer.