Director of Housing Operations - Affordable Housing/Senior Housing (Chicago)

SCI, the Leader in Real Estate Executive Search®, has been retained by one of the Chicago area's largest non-profit, community-focused owners and operators of high-quality affordable seniors housing to recruit a Director of Housing Operations .

Reporting to the Vice President of Housing, this role helps direct day-to-day operations across our client's entire portfolio of affordable housing communities — owning compliance, portfolio performance, and the systems that keep it all running, while leading and developing the Housing Operations team. Our client is committed to giving residents best-in-class communities to call home, so the ideal candidate pairs deep operational and regulatory command with genuine care, recognizing that a high-performing portfolio ultimately serves the people who live there.

What you'll do

• Partner with the VP of Housing to oversee day-to-day operations across the full portfolio of affordable communities, keeping performance at or above industry benchmarks
• Own HUD, regulatory, partner, investor, and program compliance — including internal/external audits and annual management operating reviews
• Oversee property budgets, rent increase and utility allowance requests, and recommend spending-plan expenditures for repairs, replacements, and major improvements
• Partner with the VP and Facilities to keep communities inspection-ready and resident service requests resolved promptly
• Serve as the primary HUD Secure Systems Coordinator (EIV and TRACS) and administrator for OneSite and vendor/funder portals
• Help develop and enforce area policies, procedures, marketing, management, and tenant selection plans, and advance the VP's strategic initiatives
• Manage the legal and eviction processes for the portfolio in partnership with the VP
• Lead, coach, and develop the Housing Operations team into a high-performing, purpose-driven group
• Respond to emergencies as needed — including after hours and weekends

What you bring

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with 3–5 years of relevant experience (Master's + 5 years preferred)
• Knowledge of compliance and reporting requirements, with strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines under pressure
• Excellent written and verbal communication and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Strong leadership and conflict-resolution skills, plus experience with compliance software or case management systems (preferred)
• Willingness to earn your NCHM Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) and Tax Credit Specialist (TCS) certifications within 12 months, and IREM Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) within 18 months