ABOUT PORTLAND HOUSING AUTHORITY

Mission: Together with its community partners, PHA provides and expands affordable housing and services that improve quality of life, build community, enhance safety and promote personal success for the people we serve and the neighborhoods in which they reside.
PHA was established in 1943 under the federal Housing Act of 1937, and primarily funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). PHA provides long-term affordable rental housing and rental assistance to more than 3,000 low-income families, seniors and disabled individuals through its Public Housing and Voucher Programs. We house over 6,500 residents, close to 10% of the City’s population and 26% of the public-school population, in approximately 1000 public housing apartments, 1800 Section 8 voucher programs, and 225 other housing units. We also support families in gaining the necessary skills and education to break the cycle of poverty through in house programming at our four public housing locations; we offer programs in education, youth leadership, civic engagement, and college aspirations. PHA currently employs about 100 staff members and has an operating budget of $18.2 million.
PHA, through our nonprofit development affiliate, Portland Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) is an active and ambitious affordable housing developer. We are currently repositioning our public housing properties to convert them to privately financed affordable housing using Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and other HUD repositioning options, and using a range of financing sources and structures, including 4% and 9% LIHTC, bond financing, historic tax credits, brownfields assistance and state and local financing. We are also leveraging our projects and available land to add new housing units, and we seek other opportunities for development of affordable housing in our community. We currently have 900 units of housing in our development pipeline, with a total development cost of $300 million. You can learn more about PHA at www.porthouse.org.

JOB SUMMARY

The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the Portland Housing Authority and is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and management of all activities, and ensuring that all activities support the Housing Authority’s mission and strategic goals and objectives. Appointed by and reporting to the Board of Commissioners, the Executive Director ensures compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, oversees daily operations and long-term planning, and manages relationships with residents, public agencies, private partners, and the community. The Executive Director also serves as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Authority, the Contracting Officer, and may act as the administrator or authorized agent for affiliated entities.

• Serving Authority’s mission to provide opportunities for affordable quality housing to assist individuals and families and to encourage independence within a supportive community.
• Serving as a strategic and visionary leader who balances bold, long-term thinking with operational discipline.
• Serving as the Treasurer, ensuring fiduciary oversight and the integrity of financial operations; overseeing the development and administration of the annual operating and capital budgets, special grants, and funding initiatives.\
• Leading, coordinating, supervises, and evaluating the performance of all agency departments and affiliated entities (Portland Housing Development Corporation, Portland Housing Services Corporation, State Street Preservation Corporation, Opportunity Housing Portland, and multiple property-specific single purpose affiliates.
• Overseeing the development, construction, management, and maintenance of housing properties, ensuring compliance with HUD and state standards; periodically inspecting the condition of Authority-owned buildings and grounds.
• Administering all federal and state housing programs, ensuring quality service delivery and operational efficiency; consulting with individuals, groups, or agencies to develop health, educational, welfare, and recreational programs for residents; overseeing programs and ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the programs.
• Attracting, recruiting, and retaining highly qualified, mission-driven staff who embody the organization’s values and commitment to excellence.
• Fostering and modeling a culture of performance, accountability, collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement grounded in frequent, honest communication, mutual respect, and cooperative problem-solving; actively working to break down silos and promoting a collaborative, integrated culture.
• Ensuring positive public relations of the Authority with residents, the community at large, other public and private agencies, and the press; attending public meetings as the Authority’s representative and ensuring the public awareness and positive image of the Authority through a coordinated public relations program.
• Representing the Housing Authority in meetings with HUD representatives and federal, state, and local officials; maintaining regular contact with HUD officials at field and regional offices.
• Overseeing affiliated organizations (e.g., development corporations, LLCs, LPs, senior housing, condo associations) as President, Administrator, or Authorized Agent as required.
• Ensuring compliance with legal structures, bylaws, and governance standards for all associated entities.
• Serving as the Contracting Officer with authority over procurement, contract administration, and legal agreements.
• Managing all aspects of property operations including leasing, maintenance, and tenant relations.
  Desirable Qualifications include, first and foremost, a passion for affordable housing; Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business, Urban Planning, Housing Policy, or a related field, or the equivalent in education and closely related work experience; Master’s degree preferred; at least 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in providing housing services to meet community needs, with at least 2 years in executive management roles, and proven experience in strategic planning, financial management, organizational alignment, and goal execution; deep knowledge of HUD programs, affordable housing finance, and real estate development; extensive understanding of federal and state housing regulations, government funding, and compliance with all applicable contracts’ regulatory agencies; strong understanding of public sector budgeting, regulatory compliance, and nonprofit management; proven track record of building and sustaining strong organizational culture emphasizing communication, accountability, and collaboration; experience creating inclusive workplace cultures that reward initiative, growth, and mission alignment.
  Portland Housing Authority and its leadership are committed to providing effective communication through auxiliary aids, making reasonable modifications to policies and procedures, and ensuring non-discriminatory hiring and service delivery. To request an accommodation please email clarochelle@porthouse.org or call 207-221-8085.
  We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment where all employees and applicants are treated with dignity and respect. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, protected hair styles, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
  Equal Opportunity Employer
  Job Type: Full-time
  Pay: $185,000.00 - $230,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In perso