Executive Vice President of Housing Operations / Chief Operating Officer

Executive Vice President (EVP) of Housing Operations / Chief Operating Officer (COO)

KCHA seeks an experienced, creative, future-focused innovator as its Executive Vice President of Housing Operations/Chief Operations Officer. Alongside other Executive Team members, the next EVP will be a leading voice in agency-wide strategic planning, maintaining and strengthening community partnerships, managing staff, and offering subject area expertise in HUD-related matters. This role offers an opportunity to innovate in ways that contribute to the long-term sustainability of this important, high-performing agency and oversee and ensure the quality and success of day-to-day operations carried out by a team of some 300 staff.

Reporting directly to KCHA’s President/CEO, the EVP will be responsible for overseeing KCHA’s Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher Programs, Resident Services and several support departments including Safety & Security and Compliance.

KCHA’s Public Housing inventory is directly maintained and managed by in-house staff, including a highly skilled unionized maintenance staff. The portfolio consists of approximately 2,600 units of federally assisted housing across 70 sites. KCHA continues to grow its public housing inventory through new acquisition/construction and the activation of banked Faircloth units. KCHA’s HCV program administers over 14,300 vouchers, including 2,000 port-ins, with an annual operating subsidy of approximately $280 million. The program has a strong focus on housing formerly homeless households and works closely with local human service systems and providers.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads and oversees the operations of KCHA’s Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher, Resident Services, and Safety & Security departments; develops and implements strategic goals, policies, and initiatives to align with the agency’s mission and long-term objectives.
• Ensures compliance with frequently changing HUD regulations and KCHA's internal policies, building a team and strategy that leads to impeccable compliance outcomes; participates and leads audit responses; coordinates with outside legal counsel as necessary; ensures procurements are carried out in compliance with state, federal, and local regulations.
• Responds to urgent and complex priorities, including emergency planning, and security operations; leads initiatives to enhance safety and security across KCHA properties.
• Advises on properties that may require a change in subsidy type to address evolving community and business needs and capitalize on HUD opportunities; ensures that these strategies align with KCHA’s mission and long-term objectives.
• Leads the development and implementation of policies that enhance economic opportunities and quality of life for residents; ensures policies are inclusive, effective, and aligned with KCHA’s strategic goals.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, including community partners, government agencies, and KCHA’s Board of Commissioners; represents KCHA in local, regional, and national housing discussions.
• Recruits, manages, coaches, and develops senior leaders across various departments; focuses on training, development, and succession planning to build a strong, resilient, and inclusive team; fosters a culture of accountability and excellence.
• Oversees the delivery of consistent and high-quality customer service across all KCHA offices; works to improve resident engagement and service delivery.
• Attends Board of Commissioner (BOC) meetings, may occasionally present on relevant presentations. 

Compensation & Benefits 

This position offers a competitive salary range of $193,702.00 to $300,235.90 with a midpoint of $246,969.00.

A comprehensive benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance, life and long-term disability insurance plans, vacation, sick and personal leave, reduced tuition, and retirement benefits. 

The Ideal Candidate

KCHA seeks a forward-thinking, dynamic executive who has demonstrated inclusive approaches to leading teams in achieving or surpassing organizational goals as its next EVP. The selected candidate will have a strong background in the administration of program operations at a similarly sized institution or other experience that would sufficiently prepare them for this role. The EVP will have the experience and skills necessary to oversee and strategically lead KCHA’s programs in the housing community, locally and nationally.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate considerable independence, evaluative thinking, be a highly skilled communicator and depth as an operational leader. Proven experience in creating an equitable and inclusive framework for working with diverse audiences (staff, program participants, community leaders) is highly desired. The experienced leader will ensure compliance with government regulations, serve as a member of the executive team, and oversee the preparation and maintenance of required reports, records, and files.

KCHA seeks an executive who will contribute to and complement an evolving culture of diverse and innovative leadership, rising to the challenge of meeting the housing needs of tomorrow, today.

Education & Expertise 

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, publica administration, or related field, and...
• Extensive experience in the administration and operations of a large housing authority, community development agency, or other government or non-profit housing organization or...
• An equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices necessary for leading housing operations including:
  • Public administration, public housing, and HCV programs; prior experience with an MTW agency or equivalent leadership experience in innovative and community-based program development preferred.
  • Laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations pertaining to a public housing agency.
  • Skilled in advocacy, public policy awareness, and networking that will be useful in representing KCHA at the national, state, and local levels.
  • Track record in budgeting, financial management and developing business strategies for the success of short- and long-term outcomes.
• Extensive communication skills, including a high degree of emotional intelligence, mediation, and conflict-resolution experience; proven ability to build strong external relationships with a variety of volunteers, public leaders, partner organizations and other stakeholders.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in carrying out duties and responsibilities, exercise initiative, and provide leadership. Routinely exercise sound judgment in analyzing situations and in reaching decisions quickly. A self-starter that can multi-task and prioritize.
• Strong critical-thinking skills, ability to evaluate information, implement timely decisions and make recommendations that anticipate the costs, benefits, risks, and organizational impact within KCHA’s context and the Housing Authority national landscape.
• Ability to analyze and develop effective policies and procedures; present proposals and recommendations clearly, logically, and persuasively in public meetings.
• Cultural sensitivity and competency, which is essential in serving economically disadvantaged, diverse populations, including homeless and special needs households, with a particular focus on households that often fall through the community-based safety net.
• Proven success in building productive and engaged work teams with a focus on mentoring and nurturing staff development.
• Effective balance of strategy and execution with the ability to drive change and achieve business results.
• Career path that shows a mix of stability and growth-focused moves with similar organizations and capacity to develop and nurture relationships culminating in overall success.
• Ability to manage internal and external resources, agencies and budgets.

A thorough background and driver’s check will be completed before hire.

Recruitment Process

While this position is open until filled, candidates should apply by February 14, 2025 to ensure consideration.

About KCHA

King County Housing Authority (KCHA), the largest affordable housing provider in the Pacific Northwest, seeks to provide innovative, effective, and equitable housing solutions so that all people and communities can prosper.

The Authority, founded in 1939, operates as an independent municipal corporation, providing rental housing and assistance to more than 55,000 people in over 23,000 households. Serving 37 cities (not including Seattle and Renton) and the unincorporated areas of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. County, the Authority’s geographic scope of operations spans 2,000 square miles. KCHA’s service area includes 1.2 million of the county’s 2.26 million residents and is home to the majority of its low-income households.

KCHA covers operating costs with rents from tenants and federal funding. With a 2025 annual consolidated budget of $555.7 million, and 550 full-time employees, KCHA is led by the Executive Director/CEO under the direction of a Board of five volunteer Commissioners (including one KCHA program participant) appointed by the King County Executive and confirmed by the King County Council. A cabinet of eight senior leaders comprise the core management and leadership team.

Salary : $193,702 - $300,236