Secretary-Executive Director Job at Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee i

Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM)
Location: Milwaukee, WI • Reports to: Board of Commissioners (7 members) • FLSA: Exempt • Status: Full-time

Position Summary

The Secretary–Executive Director (S-ED) is HACM’s chief executive, responsible for overall strategic direction, organizational performance, financial stewardship, compliance, and community impact across public housing, HCV/Section 8, mixed-income/affordable communities, and resident services. The S-ED also serves as corporate secretary to the Board of Commissioners, ensuring excellent governance practices, transparent reporting, and timely execution of Board actions. This role requires a mission-driven, results-oriented executive who can stabilize day-to-day operations while advancing long-term transformation through partnerships, redevelopment, and resident-centered services.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy, Governance & Leadership

• Develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan aligned to HACM’s mission, CNI commitments, the HUD Recovery Agreement, and the Sustainability Plan.
• Serve as corporate secretary: prepare agendas, board books, policies, resolutions, and minutes; maintain records; ensure compliance with applicable open meetings, ethics, and public records requirements.
• Advise and brief the Board on program performance, risks, audits, finance, capital needs, and policy issues; implement Board directives with fidelity and speed.
• Foster a high-performance, values-driven culture emphasizing equity, accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.

Program & Operations Oversight

• Ensure high-quality delivery of Public Housing and HCV programs, including occupancy, eligibility, waitlist management, inspections/HQS, portability, landlord engagement, and customer experience.
• Oversee property management (in-house and third-party) and maintenance operations, including work order performance, unit turnaround, rent collections, REAC/NSPIRE readiness, and preventative maintenance.
• Direct resident services (Jobs Plus, FSS, Economic Mobility initiatives, youth/aging services) to produce measurable outcomes in employment, earnings, education, health, and stability.
• Lead modernization and capital projects to address aging assets; coordinate energy efficiency, sustainability, and resilience investments.
• Advance the CNI transformation plan and other revitalization initiatives; structure transactions (e.g., LIHTC, RAD/Section 18/220/221(d)(4), mixed-finance) with public/private/philanthropic partners.
• Conduct portfolio analysis; recommend repositioning strategies (rehab, redevelopment, acquisition, conversion, or disposition) to strengthen long-term financial and physical viability.
• Negotiate and manage development agreements, ground leases, and regulatory/finance documents with counsel and partners.

Finance, Compliance & Risk

• Oversee multi-fund, multi-program budgeting, cash flow, and financial reporting; ensure clean audits and timely filings.
• Maintain compliance with HUD regulations, PIH notices, 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance), procurement policies, fair housing and civil rights requirements, and applicable state/local regulations.
• Implement internal controls, risk management, and enterprise-wide policies (financial, IT/cybersecurity, privacy/HIPAA where applicable, safety).
• Manage relationships with HUD Field Office, elected officials, City agencies, funders, lenders, and regulators.

People, Culture & Talent

• Lead and develop a team of executives and managers; recruit, coach, and evaluate performance; succession plan for key roles.
• Partner with HR on equity and inclusion, training, safety, and employee engagement.
• Promote a customer-service culture centered on dignity, respect, and timely resolution of resident concerns.

Stakeholder Engagement & External Affairs

• Serve as HACM’s primary spokesperson; communicate proactively with residents, resident councils, landlords, neighborhood groups, media, and partners.
• Strengthen cross-sector partnerships with City departments, schools, workforce agencies, health systems, philanthropy, universities, and employers to expand opportunity pathways.
• Champion Milwaukee as a place to live, work, and invest—highlighting the city’s creative community, riverwalk, year-round attractions, festivals, and restaurant.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Business, Finance, Law, Real Estate, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred (e.g., MPA, MBA, JD, MSRED).
• Experience: 8+ years of progressively responsible leadership within a Public Housing Authority, municipal/public agency, affordable housing, real estate development, or comparable complex enterprise, including executive-level responsibility for programs, people, and budgets.
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated proficiency with HUD programs (Public Housing, HCV/Section 8; knowledge of RAD/Section 18 helpful), affordable housing finance (LIHTC, mixed-finance), capital planning, asset/property management, procurement, audit, and compliance.
• Leadership & Communication: Proven success working with governing boards, elected officials, community stakeholders, staff, and residents; exceptional written/oral communication and public-facing presentation skills.
• Other: Valid driver’s license; ability to travel locally/regionally; ability to meet background and conflict-of-interest requirements.

Preferred Qualifications & Credentials

• Track record leading complex redevelopments and public-private partnerships, including CNI or similar neighborhood transformations.
• Certifications such as NAHRO/NMA PHM, HCV Specialist, Asset Management Specialist, IREM CPM, LIHTC (HCCP), or PMP.
• Experience operating under HUD corrective action, recovery, or performance improvement plans.
• Familiarity with Wisconsin public sector practices, open meetings/public records, and City/County intergovernmental coordination.

Core Competencies

• Resident-Centered Service: Designs programs and decisions around dignity, safety, and opportunity for residents.
• Strategic Execution: Translates vision into measurable plans with budgets, milestones, and accountability.
• Financial & Regulatory Acumen: Masters HUD/LIHTC rules, audits, and internal controls.
• People Leadership: Builds high-trust cultures; coaches leaders; manages change with empathy and clarity.
• Communication & Influence: Clear, credible, data-informed communicator across diverse audiences.
• Fair Housing & Access: Promotes compliance with fair housing laws and ensures policies and practices support equal opportunity for all residents.
• Crisis & Risk Management: Anticipates and mitigates operational, financial, compliance, and reputational risks.

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment with frequent site visits to developments, partner locations, and community meetings; occasional evening/weekend commitments for Board, resident, or public meetings.

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For detailed information regarding HACM's PSLF Program please visit your HACM's Employee Handbook .

Section 3

HACM complies with Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to ensure the provision of employment, training, contracting, and other economic opportunities to its residents and other low-income persons.

People With Disabilities

If you are a person with a disability and require assistance with the application process, please contact HACM Human Resources at 414-286-8500 . Additional website assistance for Americans with Disabilities is available here.

Veterans

At HACM, we respect and honor your service to our country, and we invite you to continue your service by supporting our mission.

The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, handicap, lawful source of income, marital status or sexual orientation.