Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority, Canton, Ohio, United States
Job Title: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Reports to: Executive Director
FLSA Status: Salary Exempt
Salary: $150,000.00 - $165,000.00
Full Time: M-F 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Included Benefits OPERS Pension Plan Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision 13 Annual Paid Holidays 2 Weeks Paid Vacation Accrued Sick Time (accrual begins on your first day of employment)
General Purpose The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of Stark Metropolitan Housing Authoritys (SMHA) executive leadership team and supports the Executive Director by providing strategic and operational leadership across all core program areas. This includes Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) developments, and Resident Services.
The COO is responsible for advancing the Authoritys mission through sound operational management, fiscal accountability, regulatory compliance, and performance optimization. This role ensures efficient delivery of high-quality housing and resident services and leads continuous improvement efforts to enhance outcomes for families and communities served by SMHA.
Essential Duties and Key Responsibilities Strategic & Executive Leadership Support the Executive Director in the development and execution of the agencys strategic plan, short- and long-term goals, and policy initiatives. Serve as a strategic advisor and operational leader in cross-functional initiatives to improve agency performance and service delivery.
Operational Oversight Oversee day-to-day operations of the Housing Operations (LIPH, RAD, LIHTC), HCVP, and Resident Services departments. Ensure compliance with HUD regulations, state and local laws, and agency policies across all departments. Monitor property performance, site-level budgets, and capital improvement plans. Establish, monitor, and refine operational standards, staffing models, and service benchmarks to align with organizational goals.
Financial & Compliance Management Collaborate with Finance on annual and five-year plans, capital fund planning, and resource allocation. Ensure robust fiduciary and compliance controls in program operations, procurement, and contracting. Review program performance and operational metrics to reduce costs while maintaining or improving service levels.
Community & Stakeholder Engagement Represent SMHA in meetings with HUD, local governments, community stakeholders, neighborhood groups, and resident organizations. Foster meaningful collaboration with tenant councils and community-based partners. Participate in resident engagement activities to strengthen public trust and service alignment.
People & Culture Leadership Lead and coach senior managers to foster a high-performing, collaborative, and accountable team culture. Support labor negotiations and HR policy implementation in alignment with agency values and goals. Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within program delivery and internal operations.
Reporting & Board Relations Prepare and deliver reports, briefings, and presentations to the Board of Commissioners and executive leadership. Translate operational performance into clear insights and recommendations for governance and policy decisions.
Required Education/Experience Masters degree preferred in Public Administration (MPA), Business Administration (MBA), Urban Planning, or Urban Affairs. Bachelors degree required in public administration, business administration, finance, or a related field. Minimum of five (5) years of progressive leadership experience in public housing, affordable housing operations, or a closely related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Core Competencies Leadership: Inspires, motivates, and aligns teams around a clear vision with measurable objectives. Results Orientation: Drives high-quality outcomes and holds self and others accountable for meeting performance standards. Strategic Thinking: Anticipates trends, identifies challenges and opportunities, and develops forward-looking operational strategies. Resident-Centered Mindset: Champions resident satisfaction and equity by aligning services with community needs. Communication & Influence: Communicates complex information clearly across diverse audiences; builds consensus and supports informed decision-making.
Core Values Integrity & Trust: Leads with honesty, transparency, and consistency; builds trust across all levels of the organization and community. Ethical Leadership: Upholds fairness, equity, and compliance in every decision, fostering a culture of responsibility and transparency. Respect & Professionalism: Demonstrates respect in every interaction and sets a professional standard that elevates organizational culture. Collaboration & Service: Values teamwork and maintains a responsive, solutions-focused approach to internal and external relationships. Equity & Inclusion: Advances inclusive practices that reflect the agencys mission to serve diverse communities with dignity and fairness.
Physical Requirements : Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Walking and lifting to 20 lbs.
Working Conditions: Most work is conducted in a standard indoor office environment with visits to the various Authority sites. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Included Benefits OPERS Pension Plan Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision 13 Annual Paid Holidays 2 Weeks Paid Vacation Accrued Sick Time (accrual begins on your first day of employment)
General Purpose The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of Stark Metropolitan Housing Authoritys (SMHA) executive leadership team and supports the Executive Director by providing strategic and operational leadership across all core program areas. This includes Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) developments, and Resident Services.
The COO is responsible for advancing the Authoritys mission through sound operational management, fiscal accountability, regulatory compliance, and performance optimization. This role ensures efficient delivery of high-quality housing and resident services and leads continuous improvement efforts to enhance outcomes for families and communities served by SMHA.
Essential Duties and Key Responsibilities Strategic & Executive Leadership Support the Executive Director in the development and execution of the agencys strategic plan, short- and long-term goals, and policy initiatives. Serve as a strategic advisor and operational leader in cross-functional initiatives to improve agency performance and service delivery.
Operational Oversight Oversee day-to-day operations of the Housing Operations (LIPH, RAD, LIHTC), HCVP, and Resident Services departments. Ensure compliance with HUD regulations, state and local laws, and agency policies across all departments. Monitor property performance, site-level budgets, and capital improvement plans. Establish, monitor, and refine operational standards, staffing models, and service benchmarks to align with organizational goals.
Financial & Compliance Management Collaborate with Finance on annual and five-year plans, capital fund planning, and resource allocation. Ensure robust fiduciary and compliance controls in program operations, procurement, and contracting. Review program performance and operational metrics to reduce costs while maintaining or improving service levels.
Community & Stakeholder Engagement Represent SMHA in meetings with HUD, local governments, community stakeholders, neighborhood groups, and resident organizations. Foster meaningful collaboration with tenant councils and community-based partners. Participate in resident engagement activities to strengthen public trust and service alignment.
People & Culture Leadership Lead and coach senior managers to foster a high-performing, collaborative, and accountable team culture. Support labor negotiations and HR policy implementation in alignment with agency values and goals. Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within program delivery and internal operations.
Reporting & Board Relations Prepare and deliver reports, briefings, and presentations to the Board of Commissioners and executive leadership. Translate operational performance into clear insights and recommendations for governance and policy decisions.
Required Education/Experience Masters degree preferred in Public Administration (MPA), Business Administration (MBA), Urban Planning, or Urban Affairs. Bachelors degree required in public administration, business administration, finance, or a related field. Minimum of five (5) years of progressive leadership experience in public housing, affordable housing operations, or a closely related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Core Competencies Leadership: Inspires, motivates, and aligns teams around a clear vision with measurable objectives. Results Orientation: Drives high-quality outcomes and holds self and others accountable for meeting performance standards. Strategic Thinking: Anticipates trends, identifies challenges and opportunities, and develops forward-looking operational strategies. Resident-Centered Mindset: Champions resident satisfaction and equity by aligning services with community needs. Communication & Influence: Communicates complex information clearly across diverse audiences; builds consensus and supports informed decision-making.
Core Values Integrity & Trust: Leads with honesty, transparency, and consistency; builds trust across all levels of the organization and community. Ethical Leadership: Upholds fairness, equity, and compliance in every decision, fostering a culture of responsibility and transparency. Respect & Professionalism: Demonstrates respect in every interaction and sets a professional standard that elevates organizational culture. Collaboration & Service: Values teamwork and maintains a responsive, solutions-focused approach to internal and external relationships. Equity & Inclusion: Advances inclusive practices that reflect the agencys mission to serve diverse communities with dignity and fairness.
Physical Requirements : Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Walking and lifting to 20 lbs.
Working Conditions: Most work is conducted in a standard indoor office environment with visits to the various Authority sites. #J-18808-Ljbffr