Director of Housing

Project NOW, Inc.; Rock Island (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Project NOW, Inc. in Rock Island, IL seeks a Director of Housing to provide leadership, strategic planning, administration, and oversight for housing programs including stability, shelter, and development.

The role requires managing grants, budgets, staff supervision, regulatory compliance, and community partnerships to advance affordable housing and homelessness solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree highly preferred.
• Three (3) years supervisory experience or equivalent.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• Ability to read and interpret general business material.
• Strong report writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts to practical situations.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment.

Responsibilities

• Direct, manage, and evaluate housing programs, shelter services, and related initiatives.
• Develop strategic plans to expand housing opportunities and address needs.
• Ensure programs meet goals, funding requirements, and outcomes.
• Supervise and mentor housing, shelter, and property staff.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, and client-centered service.
• Oversee day-to-day shelter operations and safety compliance.
• Coordinate services with partners to achieve housing stability.
• Oversee property management and compliance with HUD and regulations.
• Lead grant writing and manage compliance, reporting, and budgets.
• Develop budgets and program narratives for funding proposals.
• Represent Project NOW at meetings and build stakeholder relationships.
• Monitor expenditures and provide reports to leadership and funders.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Grant writing

Budget management

Staff supervision

Community relations

Regulatory compliance

Data interpretation

Report writing

Presentations

Mathematical concepts

Problem solving

Driver's license

Office equipment operation

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Three years supervisory experience

Experience with diverse populations

Job description

SUMMARY: The Director of Housing provides leadership, strategic planning, administration, and oversight for all housing-related programs, including housing stability, homelessness prevention, emergency shelter, emergency winter overflow shelter, supportive housing, weatherization, housing rehabilitation, property and asset management, and other community development initiatives. The Director is responsible for program development, grant management, regulatory compliance, financial oversight, staff supervision, and community partnership development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Leadership & Program Management

• Direct, manage, and evaluate all housing programs, shelter services, rapid rehousing programs, homelessness prevention initiatives, and supportive housing services.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to expand housing opportunities and address community housing needs.
• Ensure programs meet agency goals, funding requirements, and performance outcomes.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate housing, shelter, and property management staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and client-centered service delivery.

Shelter Operations

• Oversee day-to-day operations of emergency and transitional shelter programs.
• Ensure shelters maintain safe, healthy, and supportive environments for residents.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Monitor client outcomes and program effectiveness.
• Coordinate services with community partners to assist individuals and families in achieving housing stability.

Property Management & Housing Development

• Oversee management and maintenance of agency-owned and leased residential and commercial properties.
• Ensure properties comply with HUD, local housing authority, fair housing, zoning, and safety requirements.
• Coordinate inspections, repairs, capital improvements, and preventative maintenance programs.
• Evaluate opportunities for housing development, rehabilitation, and acquisition.
• Collaborate with contractors, developers, landlords, and regulatory agencies.

Grant Writing & Resource Development

• Research, identify, and pursue funding opportunities from federal, state, local, and private sources.
• Lead grant writing efforts for housing, shelter, and community development programs.
• Manage grant compliance, reporting, and performance measurement requirements.
• Develop budgets and program narratives for funding proposals.
• Maintain relationships with funders and community stakeholders.

Financial & Administrative Management

• Develop and monitor departmental budgets.
• Ensure fiscal accountability and effective stewardship of agency resources.
• Prepare reports for the C-Suite, President & CEO, Board of Directors, and funding agencies.
• Monitor program expenditures and contractual obligations.
• Utilize data and performance metrics to improve program outcomes.

Community Relations

• Represent Project NOW at community meetings, housing coalitions, and public forums.
• Develop partnerships with government agencies, landlords, developers, social service organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Advocate for affordable housing and homelessness solutions throughout the service area.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directly supervises Housing department employees.
• Works closely with the agency and department leadership in service delivery to ensure meeting Agency objectives.
• Provides leadership in a team environment, including recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, disciplining, and evaluating staff.
• Actively participates in management team by attending program-planning meetings; ensuring systems are in place for implementation of program activities.
• Supervises Shelter Staff and Volunteers.
• Evaluates program operations and effectiveness and makes recommendations for program improvements.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and the general public.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts: probability, statistics, fractions, percentages, ratios to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Must have valid driver's license, proof of insurability and reliable vehicle.
• Must be able to operate most office equipment such as 10 key and keyboard.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree highly preferred.
• Three (3) years related supervisory experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Some experience working with diverse populations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk, and listen. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds as it relates to the office environment. Noise is quiet as associated with the office environment.

Project NOW is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees because that is what drives our mission. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Accommodation is available for applicants with disabilities. Positions within Project NOW are primarily grant-funded and funding decreases can affect our staffing needs.