Director of Housing at NEW KENSINGTON CDC

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

06 Jan, 26

Salary

89313.64

Posted On

09 Oct, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Housing Counseling, Team Management, Grant Writing, Data Analysis, Client Advocacy, Financial Education, Community Engagement, Policy Development, Compliance Monitoring, Relationship Building, Cultural Competence, Real Estate Knowledge, Foreclosure Prevention, Homebuyer Education, Problem Solving, Communication Skills

Industry

Civic and Social Organizations

Description

Description New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) is a community development corporation committed to sustainable development in housing opportunities, economic development, vacant land strategies, community engagement, health and wellness, and real estate development. NKCDC advances social equity and economic empowerment by nurturing and creating opportunities for residents to live and actively shaping their neighborhoods of choice. To that end, NKCDC provides free resources to residents and businesses in the Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond neighborhoods.???? NKCDC has a strong reputation, both locally and nationally, with longstanding credibility of serving as a trusted and valuable partner and collaborator. The organization is one of only two community development organizations in Philadelphia chartered members of the NeighborWorks America network. Our current work using a trauma-informed community engagement model, applying a racial equity lens across the organization, and leading programs at the intersection of health and housing are keeping NKCDC at the cutting edge of community development. NKCDC draws on the strengths of the communities in Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond — a population of over 62,800, 23% of whom live below the federal poverty level — to make sure neighborhood development benefits all residents. More information can be found at nkcdc.org.?? Function The Director of Housing Services leads NKCDC's housing services department and it’s comprehensive housing counseling program, empowering low- and moderate-income residents in Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond to achieve and maintain stable housing. This role involves overseeing a range of services including first-time homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention, rental assistance, and home repair support. By providing personalized counseling, financial education, and connecting clients to essential resources, the housing services team ensures that residents have the tools and support needed to navigate housing challenges. The Director of Housing Services supervises a dedicated team, manages program performance, reporting, and billing, and fosters partnerships with community stakeholders to enhance service delivery and promote housing stability. The Director of Housing Services will provide direct service to clients as a housing counselor. Additionally, the Director of Housing Services collaborates with senior leadership on fundraising, strategic planning, and organizational operations. Funding This position is supported by multiple funding sources; including DHCD (70%), HUD (20%), and PHFA (10%). The cycles for these funding sources are federal fiscal year (Oct 1) and calendar year. Reports to Vice President of Programs (Amy Perez) Direct Report/Supervises Housing Services Manager (2-3), Housing Counselors (1-4), Intake Processors (2), Receptionist (2) Professional Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership & Department Oversight Lead the Housing Services Department, setting the vision and strategic direction in alignment with NKCDC’s mission and goals. Provide direct service as a housing counselor, covering when staff are out, handling walk-in clients and serving as support to other counselors in day-to-day work. Collaborate with the Vice President of Programs to ensure departmental objectives are met and integrated into organizational planning. Serve as the department's subject matter expert, providing guidance on complex client cases and operational challenges. Participate in development and implementation of policies and procedures to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency. Staff Development & Supervision Provide direct oversight of the housing services department, while supporting Housing Services Managers in the supervision and development of housing counselors, intake processors, and reception staff. Conduct regular team and individual check-ins with department staff. Conduct annual performance review and 90-day reviews, offering constructive feedback and identifying professional development opportunities. Identify training programs to ensure staff are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge. Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment, promoting staff engagement and retention. Compliance & Reporting Oversee the collection and analysis of data to ensure compliance with funder requirements and regulatory standards. Prepare and submit timely and accurate reports to funders, including monthly billing and performance metrics. Monitor program activities to ensure adherence to quality control standards and programmatic requirements. Lead internal audits and prepare for external reviews, ensuring readiness and compliance. Operational Support & Process Improvement Assess and optimize team workflows, identifying areas for improvement and implementing effective solutions. Provide additional support in housing counseling services during staff absences or in complex cases. Collaborate with the Housing Services Manager to manage staffing levels and ensure adequate coverage. Implement best practices to enhance client satisfaction and program outcomes. Fundraising & Stakeholder Engagement Support fundraising efforts in collaboration with the Vice President of Programs, including grant writing and donor relations. Establish and maintain relationships with program funders, lenders, attorneys, vendors, and community leaders. Represent NKCDC at community events, workshops, and other outreach activities to promote housing services. Advocate for policies and initiatives that support affordable housing and community development. Innovation and Growth: Support the Vice President of Program in the evaluation and development of strategies to enhance revenue generation and funder engagement. Support the development and implementation of trauma-informed practices, DEI strategies, and HR policies that align with the organization's strategic goals, fostering a more inclusive and impactful community engagement. Serve as a leader in the organization, participating in regular meetings of directors and managers, contributing to the development of internal policies and procedures, strategic planning and funding strategies. Compensation The pay rate for this position is $89,313.64/yr. with a full-time schedule, 35 hours per week. To counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, we use a nonnegotiable starting salary system, while benchmarking our pay to competitive markets in the nonprofit sector. Excellent benefits include an HMO/PPO health plan, long- and short-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid vacation, and a 403(b)-retirement plan. Work hours are from 9am-5pm. This position will be on-site at our central office, 2771 Ruth Street, Suite 1, Philadelphia, PA 19134. Application process Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume via our Paylocity Application. Applications received by October 24, 2025, will be given full consideration. All candidate resumes are considered and kept on file for one year, but we cannot always respond personally depending on the volume of inquiries. Hiring process Our hiring process includes a 20–30-minute interview with HR, followed by an in-person interview with the hiring manager, and finally an hour-long “panel” interview with 3-8 staff members. Candidates may be asked to provide a writing sample, deliver a presentation, or submit other portfolio materials as part of the hiring process after the first in-person interview with the hiring manager. Reference checks are conducted after the final panel interview. Equal Employment Opportunity NKCDC provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, race, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, religion, language, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or physical ability. We know groups subjected to systemic oppression– including people of color, women, people from working class backgrounds, and people who identify as LGBTQ – are less likely to apply unless and until they meet every requirement for a job. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other communities who are marginalized. Requirements Certification, Education, & Registration: HUD Certification: Must be a HUD-certified housing counselor with a minimum of 5 years of housing counseling experience. Must be registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for the Settlement Grant Applicants & Eviction Diversion Program. No minimum educational requirement; however, a bachelor's degree may be considered an indicator of capacity. Specialized Knowledge: Extensive experience with the Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, including familiarity with conciliation conferences and court procedures. In-depth understanding of the mortgage loss mitigation process, including options like loan modifications, forbearance, and repayment plans. Comprehensive knowledge of the first-time homebuyer process, including eligibility requirements, financing options, and homebuyer education. Experience with grant writing and reporting, including familiarity with funding requirements and compliance standards. Industry Experience: At least 2–3 years of experience working within the lending, counseling, or real estate sales industry. Demonstrated experience in people management, relationship-building, and leading successful teams. Skills & Competencies: Proven ability to manage high-stress situations with empathy and concern. Ability to work both collaboratively within a team and independently as a self-starter. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Experience working with culturally diverse groups. Knowledge of real estate, underwriting policies, mortgages, credit counseling, foreclosure prevention, household budgeting, and loan closing is highly desirable. Familiarity with social service networks in Philadelphia is a plus. Computer literate, and familiarity with Microsoft Suite, Microsoft 365, and RX Office. Additional Requirements: Willingness to work off-site or during off-hours as needed.

Responsibilities

The Director of Housing Services leads NKCDC's housing services department, overseeing a comprehensive housing counseling program. This role involves empowering low- and moderate-income residents to achieve stable housing through various services and direct client support.