Program Manager - Affordable Housing/Senior Housing

Specialty Consultants Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

SCI is recruiting for a Program Manager to oversee the Senior Housing programs for a Chicago-area nonprofit owner/operator. You will drive service quality, resident well-being, and program performance while leading teams delivering it.

Ideal candidates bring operational leadership with a genuine care for residents, building programs around people served. 12-month COS/ARM certifications target.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Leadership and team management experience preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of property operations: leasing, maintenance, compliance.
• Familiarity with community resources and services; competence in Microsoft Office.
• Willingness to obtain COS and ARM certifications within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations and strategic coordination of Senior Housing programs.
• Manage budgets and resources against program goals and funding requirements.
• Evaluate program performance and resident outcomes; drive improvements.
• Ensure continuous compliance with housing regulations and best practices.
• Build relationships with residents, families, partners, and agencies.
• Represent the program at events, meetings, and stakeholder forums.
• Collaborate across Facilities, Finance, and Social Services for cohesive delivery.
• Lead, coach, and develop the team into a high-performing unit.
• Respond to resident and facility emergencies after hours and weekends.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Leadership

COS Certification

ARM Certification

Property operations

Microsoft Office

Education

Associate's degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

SCI, the Leader in Real Estate Executive Search®, has been retained by one of the Chicago area's largest non-profit, community-focused owners and operators of high-quality affordable seniors housing to recruit a Program Manager.

This role oversees the daily operations and strategic coordination of our client's Senior Housing programs — driving service quality, resident well-being, compliance, and program performance — while leading and developing the teams that deliver it. Our client is committed to giving seniors best-in-class communities to call home, so the ideal candidate pairs strong operational leadership with genuine care, recognizing that great programs aren't just well-run — they're built around the people they serve.

What you\'ll do

• Oversee day-to-day operations and strategic coordination of Senior Housing programs, managing budgets and resources against program goals and funding requirements
• Evaluate program performance and resident outcomes — spotting trends and launching initiatives that lift resident satisfaction, operational efficiency, and impact
• Ensure continuous compliance with housing regulations and best practices
• Build and maintain strong relationships with residents, families, community partners, and local agencies to promote coordinated care and housing stability
• Represent the Senior Housing program at community events, meetings, and stakeholder forums to strengthen partnerships and visibility
• Collaborate across Facilities, Finance, and Social Services to keep service delivery cohesive and problem-solving effective
• Lead, coach, and develop your team into a high-performing, purpose-driven crew
• Respond to resident and facility emergencies as needed — including after hours and weekends

What you bring

• 1–3 years of relevant experience (Associate's degree required; Bachelor's + 3–5 years preferred)
• Excellent written and verbal communication and strong interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and multitasking ability — you can run several projects at once and hit deadlines
• Leadership and team management strength, with a talent for coaching, mentoring, and developing staff (preferred)
• In-depth knowledge of property operations — leasing, maintenance, and compliance — plus conflict resolution and crisis management (preferred)
• Familiarity with community resources and services, and competence in Microsoft Office
• Willingness to earn your NCHM Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) and IREM Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) certifications within 12 months