Chief Administrative Officer

Vhfa; Burlington (VT); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Education assistance up to $4,000

Parking reimbursement

403(b) and 457 retirement plans

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) seeks a visionary Chief Administrative Officer to lead IT, HR, marketing, and administrative services from its Burlington office, with hybrid work options. This executive role drives technology modernization, culture, risk management, and infrastructure to advance affordable housing priorities.

The CAO will shape talent, policies, and operations, ensuring alignment with VHFA’s mission and state housing goals while guiding organizational planning and resource

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 8–10 years of progressively responsible executive leadership across admin, HR or technology operations.
• Ability to lead IT, HR, marketing and facilities while aligning with VHFA’s mission.
• Strong communication, diplomacy and public engagement skills with policy experience.
• Strategic thinking and analytical abilities to translate agency strategy into priorities and results.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction across IT, HR, marketing, and facilities.
• Oversee cybersecurity, business continuity, information management, and technology modernization.
• Lead stakeholder engagement, agency communications, and legislative affairs.
• Support executive leadership with planning, budgeting, and organizational development.

Skills

Executive leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic thinking

Executive communications

Public engagement

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/public administration/HR/IT or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Enterprise software

Job description

Description

Are you an executive leader ready to shape the operational backbone of a mission-driven agency?

At the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), we are on a mission to ensure all Vermonters have access to affordable housing. We are seeking a visionary Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to serve as a key member of our Executive Leadership Team, providing strategic direction across our core operational pillars: Information Technology, Human Resources, Marketing & Public Affairs, and Administrative Services & Facilities. This isn't just an operations role—it is a transformational leadership position responsible for modernizing agency technology, nurturing a high-performing culture, safeguarding institutional reputation, and aligning organizational infrastructure with state housing priorities. If you excel at connecting day-to-day operations to long-term strategic vision, building accountable teams, and driving operational excellence, we want you on our executive team!

Core accountabilities and responsibilities:

Technology Strategy

• Ensure technology investments, priorities, and systems are aligned with Agency business needs and strategic objectives.
• Oversee cybersecurity, business continuity, information management, and technology modernization efforts.
• Promote the effective use of technology and emerging tools to improve efficiency, collaboration, service delivery, and decision-making.
• Recommend prioritization and resource allocation for Agency-wide technology initiatives.

Human Resources Strategy

• Maintain effective talent acquisition, employee development, performance management, succession planning, compensation, and employee engagement practices.
• Direct the development and implementation of human resource policies, programs, and practices that support organizational goals and compliance obligations.

Marketing, Communications & Public Affairs

• Direct the marketing strategy and oversee its implementation.
• Maintain strategic communications plan and oversee its implementation.
• Serve as strategic advisor on communications, messaging, reputation management and public engagement.
• Oversee crisis communications planning and response efforts.
• Oversee legislative affairs, public policy and intergovernmental relations.
• Coordinate organizational responses to legislative, regulatory, and public policy developments affecting the agency’s mission and operations.
• Direct internal agency-wide communications and all-staff meetings to address general organizational matters.

Administrative Services and Facilities

• Maintain a safe, professional, and productive work environment through effective facilities and equipment management.
• Oversees stewardship of administrative resources, vendor relationships, contracts, and operational budgets.
• Maintain effective systems for records management, workplace safety, and business continuity.
• Organizational Leadership & Administration
• Provide strategic leadership for the Agency's administrative, technology, human resources, and facilities functions.
• Ensure organizational infrastructure, business systems, and administrative services effectively support Agency operations and strategic priorities.
• Promote operational excellence, continuous improvement, and organizational effectiveness across administrative functions.
• Contribute to Agency-wide planning, decision-making, and implementation of strategic initiatives.

Leadership and Management

• This position supervises the following role(s): IT Director; Public Affairs Director; Human Resources Manager; Administration and Facilities Specialist; and Administrative Support Specialist
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, relevant operational information by fully utilizing enterprise software systems.
• Provide direction, accountability, coaching, and development to support individual and team success.
• Connect day-to-day activities to long-term organizational goals and identifies opportunities to advance VHFA's mission.

Work Environment & Flexibility

This position offers a hybrid work structure. You will work in our collaborative Burlington office environment and remotely as coordinated with executive leadership, with in-office presence required for key agency events, board meetings, and legislative sessions.

The Perks

• A comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and the family or optional buy-out plan
• Flexible Spending Account & Dependent Care Account
• Company-sponsored Short and Long-Term Disability
• Company-sponsored Life Insurance
• Up to $4,000 educational assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Combined Time Off & Holiday Pay
• Up to 6 weeks of paid time off for parental and family leave
• Parking Reimbursement for designated lots
• 403b Savings Account & 457 Retirement Plan

Ready to help us build a stronger community?

Requirements

What You Bring to the Table

• Executive Experience: A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, HR, Information Technology, or a related field (Master’s preferred), paired with at least 8–10 years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience across administrative, HR, or technology operations.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Proven ability to manage diverse functional areas—from IT infrastructure and cybersecurity to media relations, HR policy, and facilities management.
• Strategic Vision & Analytical Thinking: Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex operational data, interpret financial metrics, allocate resources effectively, and translate agency strategy into clear priorities and results.
• Exceptional Communication: Outstanding executive communication and diplomacy skills with experience advising leadership on public engagement, crisis response, and legislative developments.
• Mission Alignment: Deep alignment with VHFA’s VIIBE values: Integrity, Innovation, Belonging, and Equity.