Tax Credits Director

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

IPERS Retirement

Health Insurance

Public Service Pension

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

The Tax Credits Director at the Iowa Finance Authority and Iowa Economic Development Authority leads the development and administration of tax credit programs that advance affordable housing and economic development across Iowa.

This role emphasizes strategic direction, regulatory compliance, and strong leadership across statewide teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum four years of full-time work in program administration, development, management, or operations, or equivalent education/experience.
• Eight years of full-time experience in the same area.
• Combination of education and experience may qualify, with specific hour-based equivalencies.
• Current continuous experience in the state executive branch with management responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for housing, community development, and tax credit programs.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team and foster collaboration and accountability.
• Oversee program design, compliance, budgeting, and stakeholder communications.
• Build partnerships with developers, investors, lenders, and government officials.
• Represent the agencies before boards and industry groups and ensure program integrity.

Skills

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Regulatory interpretation

Program strategy

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher (or equivalent experience)

Iowa Certified Public Manager Program equivalency

Job description

Job Description

If you are a strategic leader who understands how housing and economic development programs can strengthen communities, this opportunity may be the perfect fit for you. The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) and Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) are seeking a Tax Credits Director to lead the development and administration of several of Iowa’s tax credit programs.

This position is ideal for a collaborative and forward-thinking professional who excels at interpreting complex regulations, guiding high-impact programs, developing strong teams, and building productive relationships with stakeholders at the local, state, and federal levels.

About Us

IEDA and IFA collaborate to make Iowa the choice for people to call home and for businesses to flourish. IEDA supports business and community growth through various state and federal programs, helping startups, rural communities, and disaster recovery efforts. IFA focuses on improving Iowans' lives by offering programs for affordable housing, community development, and water quality, and assisting first-time homebuyers. Collectively, through our programs and efforts, IEDA|IFA creates opportunities for Iowans, communities, and businesses to thrive.

About This Opportunity

The Tax Credits Director provides strategic and operational leadership for programs that support affordable housing, community revitalization, and economic development throughout Iowa including the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, Workforce Housing Tax Credit, Historic Tax Credit, and Brownfield/Grayfield Tax Credit programs. This position oversees program development and execution, regulatory compliance, financial performance, internal controls, stakeholder communications, and team operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing team by coaching, mentoring, and developing team members while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Lead Iowa's Low-Income Housing, Workforce Housing, Historic, and Brownfield/Grayfield Tax Credit programs, driving initiatives that support community development and affordable housing across the state.
• Provide strategic direction for program design, implementation, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Shape program policies, procedures, and operational strategies.
• Interpret and apply complex state and federal regulations while ensuring program integrity and compliance.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with developers, investors, lenders, community leaders, elected officials, and government agencies.
• Serve as a trusted subject matter expert and spokesperson on affordable housing and tax credit programs at local, state, and national levels.
• Represent IEDA|IFA before boards, legislative committees, industry organizations, and stakeholder groups.
• Oversee program budgets, financial performance, reporting requirements, and internal controls.

We Are Seeking An Ideal Candidate Who Is

• Knowledgeable about affordable housing, tax credit programs, community development, or related regulatory programs.
• Experienced in leading, mentoring, and developing employees.
• A collaborative relationship builder who can work effectively with internal teams, developers, investors, lenders, government officials, and community partners
• Embodies our Core Values:
• Accountability in Action - We take pride in our work and results.
• Innovate Together - We thrive on solving challenges through dynamic collaboration with our teams and partners.
• Mission Driven - We place Iowans at the heart of everything we do.

New to the area or looking to relocate to Iowa?

Visit This is Iowa to see how Iowa offers something for everyone- competitively low cost of living, bustling cities and neighborhoods, access to entertainment, opportunities for career growth and unrivaled access to outdoor adventures.

Benefits

As an employee of the Iowa Finance Authority, you are a State of Iowa employee, and you are eligible to enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Paid Time Off: Enjoy vacation with accruals that rollover on a yearly basis, sick leave with no limits on accrual and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Great Benefits: Excellent Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance options.
• Retirement Plan: IPERS Retirement package and an option for a deferred compensation plan.
• Flexibility: Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care).
• Life Insurance: Free Life Insurance.
• Support: Employee Assistance Programs and Employee Discount Programs.

To learn more about benefits available to State of Iowa employees visit the benefits web page.

The Tax Credits Director position is a non-merit, non-contract position that is classified by the State of Iowa as a Public Service Manager 1. This position is exempt per FLSA regulations.

Applicant must pass a comprehensive background check before an offer for employment will be extended.

The Iowa Finance Authority is an EEO/AA Employer

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and experience equal to four years of full-time work in program administration, development, management, or operations.
• Eight years of full-time work experience in program administration, development, management, or operations.
• All of the following (a and b):
• Four years of full-time work experience work in program administration, development, management, or operations; and
• A combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.
• All of the following (a, b, and c):
• Two years of full-time work experience work in program administration, development, management, or operations; and
• A combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work equals one year of full-time experience; and
• A combination of a total of two years of graduate-level education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in a public-service-related area (e.g., public or business administration, social work, law, education, engineering) equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is
• also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Public Service Supervisor or comparable specific management-level position.