Senior Manager, Homeownership Programs Habitat for Humanity Chicago

Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Habitat Chicago is seeking a Senior Manager, Homeownership Programs to lead development and improvement of our homeownership programs, supporting prospective and current homeowners. This role reports to the Director of Neighborhood Initiatives and collaborates with multiple departments to ensure accessible, high‑quality services.

The Senior Manager will oversee strategy, education, operations, partnerships, participant experience, and evaluation, and supervise the Homeownership Support

Qualifications

• This position is ideal for a strategic, organized, and people-centered program leader with experience in program management, project coordination, and building coalitions with an interest or prior experience in affordable housing, homeownership, housing counseling, and/or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Homeownership Program Strategy and Planning (25%): lead planning and ongoing development of Habitat Chicago’s homeownership programs, translating priorities into effective programs and participant experiences.
• Homeownership Education, Partnerships, and Outreach (30%): deliver and improve homeownership education programs, ensure content and delivery prepare homeowners for sustainable ownership, and develop outreach strategies.
• Program Operations and Participant Experience (20%): oversee operations and ensure high‑quality service, coordinate across departments, and support existing homeowners and repair initiatives.
• Program Evaluation, Systems, and Resource Management (15%): set goals, measure outcomes, maintain systems and documentation, manage budgets and risks.
• Team Leadership and Development (10%): supervise and develop direct reports, align goals, and foster a collaborative, participant-centered culture.

Job description

The Senior Manager, Homeownership Programs leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Habitat Chicago’s homeownership programs, supporting both prospective and current homeowners in achieving and sustaining successful homeownership. This position identifies and ensures homebuyer and home repair programs meet attendance and participation goals, while ensuring a quality experience for participants.
Reporting to the Director of Neighborhood Initiatives, this position implements and manages program strategy, education, operations, partnerships, participant experience, and evaluation. The role supervises the Homeownership Support Specialist and works closely with Housing Development and Construction, Neighborhood Engagement, Volunteers, Operations, and external partners to ensure programs are coordinated, accessible, and responsive to homeowner needs.

This position is ideal for a strategic, organized, and people-centered program leader with experience in program management, project coordination, and building coalitions with an interest or prior experience in affordable housing, homeownership, housing counseling, and/or related fields.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
Key Responsibility: Homeownership Program Strategy and Planning (25%)
The Senior Manager leads the planning and ongoing development of Habitat Chicago’s homeownership programs, translating organizational and neighborhood priorities into effective programs, policies, and participant experiences. The Manager identifies buyer pipelines and program participants and recognizes opportunities to improve access to homeownership, strengthen homeowner outcomes, and respond to changing housing needs and conditions.
Key Responsibility: Homeownership Education, Partnerships, and Outreach (30%)

The Senior Manager leads the delivery and continuous improvement of Habitat Chicago’s homeownership education programs, including Homebuyer University, education provided through the Affordable Homeownership Program (AHP), and emerging homeowner education initiatives such as HOA education and post-purchase programming. The Senior Manager is responsible for ensuring that educational content, instructors, and delivery methods effectively prepare prospective and current homeowners for successful and sustainable homeownership. This includes evaluating participant needs, identifying opportunities to strengthen program offerings, and regularly assessing and improving existing educational programs.

The Senior Manager is also responsible for developing and implementing outreach and participant recruitment strategies to ensure a strong pipeline of qualified homebuyer and homeowner program participants. The SeniorManager works collaboratively with Neighborhood Engagement, Housing Development and Construction, community partners, lenders, and housing organizations to increase awareness of Habitat Chicago’s programs, connect prospective participants to resources, and reduce barriers to participation. Through these partnerships and outreach efforts, the Manager expands access to homeownership opportunities and strengthens engagement with current and future homeowners.

Key Responsibility: Program Operations and Participant Experience (20%)
The Senior Manager provides oversight of program operations and ensures consistent, high-quality service to prospective and current homeowners. The Senior Manager establishes effective processes and standards, ensures program requirements are met, and works across departments to coordinate the homeowner experience. This includes oversight of programs supporting existing homeowners and homeowner repair initiatives, including coordination with Housing Development and Construction for assessment and construction activity.

Key Responsibility: Program Evaluation, Systems, and Resource Management (15%)
The Senior Manager establishes and monitors program goals, measures, and outcomes and uses data and participant feedback to inform program improvements. The Senior Manager maintains effective program systems, procedures, and documentation and works with the Director and Operations to manage budgets, resources, compliance, and program risks.

Key Responsibility: Team Leadership and Development (10%)
The Senior Manager supervises, supports, and develops their direct reports, establishing clear expectations, priorities, and accountability. The Senior Manager provides direction on participant support, education, and program operations while ensuring their team has the tools and information needed to effectively support prospective and current homeowners. The Senior Manager fosters a collaborative and participant-centered approach and works with the Director and peer managers to ensure alignment across programs and departments.

Organizational Expectation: Leadership and Teamwork
As a member of the Habitat Chicago team, the Senior Manager contributes to a collaborative, values-driven organizational culture. They maintain a team-first mindset, support colleagues across departments, and participate in organization-wide events and initiatives as needed. The role requires consistent engagement with residents, volunteers, community partners, donors, and officials, and represents Habitat Chicago with professionalism, respect, and a strong commitment to the organization’s mission.

Organizational Expectation: Professional growth and skill development:
The Senior Manager embraces opportunities for continual growth and adapts to evolving business needs. They demonstrate flexibility, curiosity, and a willingness to take on new challenges and tasks by contributing to special projects and initiatives as needed.

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties nor required skills. Employees may occasionally perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities to meet the needs of the organization.

Reports To: Director of Neighborhood Initiatives
Hours: Full-time; 8:30am-4:30pm plus regular evening and weekend meetings as required.
Environment: The Habitat Chicago office is located at 111 W Jackson Blvd in Chicago. It is accessible by car and public transit. This position will have a desk, laptop computer, and phone line in an open office environment.
Conditions: Must be able to lift 25 pounds and work at a computer for long periods of time.
Compensation: Salaried position ranging from $70,000- $75,000 a year, depending on experience. 30+ vacation/sick/personal days per year. 90% employer-paid health insurance; access to dental, vision, life and 401k plans.
FLSA Status: This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It does not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.
Onboarding:Thepositionwill begin with an onboarding period to become familiar with the organization’s work and policies; they will be trained on the specifics of the role through a combination of in-person, online and written trainings and will be expected to take the initiative to review materials as needed and seek understanding of new developments in order to perform their responsibilities.