Assistant Director – Public Housing – Chapel Hill, NC

SERC‑NAHRO; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Retirement Savings Plan (NC 401(k))

Paid Time Off

Parking

Tuition assistance

Housing assistance program

Job summary

The Town of Chapel Hill seeks an Assistant Director for Public Housing to oversee the Public Housing division within the Housing and Community Development Department. This role supports the Director in implementing strategic initiatives, managing operations, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local rules.

Success requires HUD and affordable housing knowledge, plus experience in real estate development, property management, housing finance, construction, and project management.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local public housing regulations.
• Experience with LIHTC, RAD blends, and mixed financing models.
• Staff supervision, team building, and organizational leadership.
• Public engagement, conflict resolution, and resident relations.
• Resource management and implementation of innovative solutions.

Responsibilities

• Identify and implement best practices for housing management, maintenance, and resident services.
• Ensure assets remain in good physical, financial, and regulatory condition.
• Supervise and mentor Public Housing staff; oversee work assignments, performance evaluations, and professional development.
• Help develop, monitor, and manage Public Housing budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and compliance with funding requirements.
• Ensure adherence to HUD regulations and other applicable laws and policies.
• Engage with residents and community partners to promote community, transparency, and collaboration.
• Assist the Director in planning, organizing, and directing Public Housing operations, assets, and services.
• Support strategic planning and policy development for the Public Housing division.
• Serve as an active member of the Department and Town-wide Senior Leadership Teams
• Serve as Acting Director of Housing and Community Development when required.

Skills

HUD knowledge

Affordable housing knowledge

Staff supervision

Public engagement

Resource management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s in public administration or related field preferred

Job description

We are seeking a proven leader committed to fostering innovative and inclusive operations for staff, program participants, and the broader community. The Assistant Director for Public Housing administers and manages the Town’s Public Housing division in the Housing and Community Development Department. The position supports the Director in implementing strategic initiatives, managing public housing operations, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Success in this role will require knowledge of HUD and affordable housing, along with experience in real estate development, property management, housing finance, construction, and project management. The role focuses on advancing the Town’s Public Housing program, while fostering a culture of respect, equity, and resident engagement.

Essential Functions

• Identify and implement best practices for housing management, maintenance, and resident services.
• Ensure assets remain in good physical, financial, and regulatory condition.
• Supervise and mentor Public Housing staff; oversee work assignments, performance evaluations, and professional development.
• Helps develop, monitor, and manage Public Housing budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and compliance with funding requirements.
• Ensure adherence to HUD regulations and other applicable laws and policies.
• Engage with residents and community partners to promote community, transparency, and collaboration.
• Assist the Director in planning, organizing, and directing Public Housing operations, assets, and services.
• Support strategic planning and policy development for the Public Housing division.
• Serve as an active member of the Department and Town-wide Senior Leadership Teams
• Serve as Acting Director of Housing and Community Development when required.

Minimum Qualifications

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local public housing regulations and funding programs.
• Experience with Public Housing redevelopment and renovation strategies, including the LIHTC, RAD blends, and mixed financing models.
• Demonstrated skills in staff supervision, team building, and organizational leadership.
• A genuine heart for service including public engagement, conflict resolution, and the ability to build strong relationships with residents, staff, and external partners.
• Effective management of resources and implementation of innovative solutions.
• Ability to model behaviors consistent with the Town’s Values of RESPECT.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s in public administration, planning, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in public housing management, housing agency administration, public housing development, housing finance, modernization programs, real estate development, property management, or a closely related field, including at least 3 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Experience with local government desirable.
• A combination of years of experience and education that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties will be considered.

Supplemental Information

• Valid NC driver’s license and reliable transportation.

The Town of Chapel Hill offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to regular full time and part time employees.
Health and Dental Insurance

Health and dental insurance are effective the first day of employment. The town will provide full-time employees group medical and dental insurance including family coverage. Employees and the town will share equally in the additional cost of the medical plan for dependent coverage if employees desire to purchase such coverage for family members. Employees are responsible for the full cost of dependent dental insurance.

Retirement Health Savings Plan
Employees hired after June 30, 2010, in a regular full-time or regular part- time position are required to participate in the Retirement Health Savings Plan. Contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis. The current contribution amount is 1%.

Paid Time Off

• Vacation/Annual Leave: Employees in regular full or part time positions earn between 12 and 26 days per year depending upon length of Town service.
• Sick Leave: Employees in full or part time regular positions earn 12 days per year.
• Paid Parental Leave:Eligible employees receive 6 weeks of Paid Parental Leave after birth or placement of a child in the home for adoption or foster care. This leave does not come from Employee’s leave bank.
• Paid Holidays: There are 12 official Town holidays. Employees in full or part time regular positions are eligible for paid holiday time.
• Personal Leave: All employees in full or part time regular positions are granted 3 days of personal leave per year. This leave is non-cumulative

Local Government Retirement System

All employees in regular full or part time position are required to contribute to the retirement system. Contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis. The current contribution amount is 6%.

Supplemental Retirement Plans

• NC 401(k)-The Town makes a contribution of 5% to the 401(k) for all regular full and part time employees. There is no employee match required. Employees have the option of making contributions on a pre or post tax basis. The plan is administered by Empower.
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan-Town of Chapel Hill employees have the option of making contributions to a 457. The Town does not make contributions to this plan. The plan is administered by MissionSquare.

Disability Insurance

• Town Provided: The Town provides both short term and long term disability insurance to all regular full or part time employees. The plan will pay up to 50% of the employee’s base income up to $462 per week for non-job related injuries.
• Voluntary Short Term Disability: Employees have the option of purchasing supplemental disability insurance. This plan will pay employees a maximum of 25% of their base weekly earnings up to $400.

Life Insurance

The Town provides full and part time regular employees with an individual term life insurance policy. Employees have the option of purchasing additional life insurance for a small fee. Dependent life insurance is also available.

Direct Deposit

All employees hired after July 1, 2007 are required to have direct deposit.

Other Benefits

• Credit Union: Employees of the Town of Chapel Hill are eligible to open accounts at Civic Federal Credit Union.
• Parking is provided free of charge at or near worksites
• Annual longevity payment beginning with the 5th year of full or part time regular employment
• Tuition assistance is available upon completion of the initial probationary period
• Town has a Housing Assistance Program that assists employees secure housing in Town see the followinghttps://www.chapelhillaffordablehousing.org/employee-housing