Director of Compliance

SustainableHR; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

SustainableHR in Wisconsin is seeking a Director of Compliance to lead regulatory compliance for affordable housing properties. This leadership role manages a team of four specialists and ensures adherence to LIHTC, HUD, and Rural Development requirements across multiple properties.

The Director will shape policies, oversee audits, and coordinate with government agencies and external auditors. Strong experience in compliance management, team development, and reporting is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience managing a compliance department.
• Extensive knowledge of affordable housing compliance regulations, including LIHTC, HUD, Rural Development, and Fair Housing requirements.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, and developing compliance professionals.
• Strong understanding of regulatory audits, certifications, reporting requirements, and corrective action processes.
• Ability to interpret complex housing regulations and implement effective compliance procedures.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field or 10+ years of equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee compliance with affordable housing programs, including LIHTC (Section 42), HUD (Section 8), Rural Development, Public Housing, and other government-subsidized programs.
• Develop, implement, and maintain compliance policies, procedures, and applicant screening processes.
• Monitor changes to federal, state, and local housing regulations and ensure policies remain current.
• Conduct and oversee tenant file and property audits to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Prepare and submit Owner's Annual Certifications and other required government reports.
• Coordinate with government agencies and third-party auditors during compliance reviews and inspections.
• Address audit findings, resolve compliance concerns, and implement corrective action plans.
• Ensure annual inspections meet required standards and achieve satisfactory ratings.
• Oversee applicant screening procedures, government rental assistance payments, and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) requests.
• Manage property recertification schedules and ensure required documentation is completed accurately and on time.
• Address and resolve notices of noncompliance, including IRS Form 8823 findings.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Audits & reporting

Strategic thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree or 10+ years experience

Tools

Yardi

SharePoint

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Director of Compliance

Location: Wisconsin | Fully Onsite
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $110,000–$130,000 Annually
Schedule: Monday–Friday | 40 Hours per Week

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Director of Compliance to lead regulatory compliance efforts for a growing property management organization specializing in affordable housing.

This leadership position is responsible for overseeing compliance with federal, state, and local housing regulations, including HUD, Rural Development (RD), Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), Section 8, and other government-subsidized housing programs.

The Director of Compliance will manage a team of four compliance professionals, develop and implement compliance policies, oversee audits and reporting, and ensure properties consistently meet regulatory requirements.

The ideal candidate brings extensive affordable housing compliance experience, strong leadership abilities, and a thorough understanding of housing regulations and property management operations.

Key Responsibilities

Compliance Management & Regulatory Oversight

• Oversee compliance with affordable housing programs, including LIHTC (Section 42), HUD (Section 8), Rural Development, Public Housing, and other government-subsidized programs.

• Develop, implement, and maintain compliance policies, procedures, and applicant screening processes.

• Monitor changes to federal, state, and local housing regulations and ensure policies remain current.

• Conduct and oversee tenant file and property audits to ensure regulatory compliance.

• Prepare and submit Owner's Annual Certifications and other required government reports.

• Coordinate with government agencies and third-party auditors during compliance reviews and inspections.

• Address audit findings, resolve compliance concerns, and implement corrective action plans.

• Ensure annual inspections meet required standards and achieve satisfactory ratings.

• Oversee applicant screening procedures, government rental assistance payments, and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) requests.

• Manage property recertification schedules and ensure required documentation is completed accurately and on time.

• Address and resolve notices of noncompliance, including IRS Form 8823 findings.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, supervise, and support a team of four compliance professionals.

• Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, and ongoing professional development of compliance staff.

• Establish clear expectations and promote accountability, accuracy, and consistency across the department.

• Provide guidance and support to property management teams regarding compliance requirements.

• Develop and deliver training programs on housing regulations, compliance procedures, and regulatory updates.

• Collaborate with senior leadership, regional managers, and other departments to resolve compliance issues.

• Participate in leadership and stakeholder meetings to provide compliance updates and recommendations.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience managing a compliance department, preferably within affordable housing or property management.

• Extensive knowledge of affordable housing compliance regulations, including LIHTC, HUD, Rural Development, and Fair Housing requirements.

• Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, and developing compliance professionals.

• Strong understanding of regulatory audits, certifications, reporting requirements, and corrective action processes.

• Ability to interpret complex housing regulations and implement effective compliance procedures.

• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively across departments.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or 10+ years of equivalent professional experience.

• Valid driver's license and ability to travel occasionally for business needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional compliance certifications such as HCCP, COS, COSP, EIVS, BOS, STAR, or HCM-R.

• Experience overseeing compliance across multiple affordable housing properties.

• Familiarity with property management accounting, leasing procedures, and resident retention practices.

• Experience with Yardi, SharePoint, Microsoft Word, Excel, and compliance management software.

• Experience working directly with regulatory agencies and external auditors.

Work Environment & Schedule

• This is a fully onsite leadership position.

• Full-time schedule of approximately 40 hours per week.

• Direct responsibility for managing a team of four compliance professionals.

• Occasional travel may be required for property visits, audits, training, and industry events.

• Ability to work in a professional office environment and manage multiple projects and deadlines.

Compensation

Annual Salary: $120,000–$135,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

This position offers the opportunity to take on a key leadership role, guide an established compliance team, and make a meaningful impact on affordable housing operations.

The employer is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.