Director of Compliance – Affordable Housing

Location: Wisconsin | Fully Onsite
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $110,000–$130,000 Annually
Schedule: Monday–Friday | 40 Hours per Week

Position Overview

Our client, an established property management organization specializing in affordable housing, is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Director of Compliance to lead regulatory compliance efforts across its property portfolio.

This leadership position is responsible for overseeing compliance with federal, state, and local housing regulations, including HUD, Rural Development (RD), Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), Section 8, and other government-subsidized housing programs.

The Director of Compliance will manage a team of four compliance professionals, develop and implement compliance policies, oversee audits and reporting, and ensure properties consistently meet regulatory requirements.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive hands-on affordable housing compliance experience, proven leadership abilities, and a thorough understanding of properties with multiple layers of financing and complex regulatory requirements.

IMPORTANT: Candidates MUST hold all three of the following certifications to be considered: HCCP, COS, and HCM-R. These certifications are mandatory, not preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Compliance Management & Regulatory Oversight

• Oversee compliance with affordable housing programs, including LIHTC (Section 42), HUD (Section 8), Rural Development, Public Housing, and other government-subsidized programs.

• Manage complex regulatory requirements for properties with multiple layers of financing, funding sources, and compliance obligations.

• Develop, implement, and maintain compliance policies, procedures, and applicant screening processes.

• Monitor changes to federal, state, and local housing regulations and ensure policies remain current.

• Conduct and oversee tenant file and property audits to ensure regulatory compliance.

• Prepare and submit Owner's Annual Certifications and other required government reports.

• Coordinate with government agencies and third-party auditors during compliance reviews and inspections.

• Address audit findings, resolve compliance concerns, and implement corrective action plans.

• Ensure annual inspections meet required standards and achieve satisfactory ratings.

• Oversee applicant screening procedures, government rental assistance payments, and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) requests.

• Manage property recertification schedules and ensure required documentation is completed accurately and on time.

• Address and resolve notices of noncompliance, including IRS Form 8823 findings.

• Identify compliance risks and proactively implement solutions to protect the organization's regulatory and financial standing.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, supervise, and support a team of four compliance professionals.

• Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, and ongoing professional development of compliance staff.

• Establish clear expectations and promote accountability, accuracy, and consistency across the department.

• Demonstrate the ability to manage a diverse team, work effectively under pressure, and navigate challenging compliance situations.

• Provide guidance and support to property management teams regarding compliance requirements.

• Develop and deliver training programs on housing regulations, compliance procedures, and regulatory updates.

• Collaborate with senior leadership, regional managers, and other departments to resolve complex compliance issues.

• Participate in leadership and stakeholder meetings to provide compliance updates and recommendations.

Qualifications

Required Professional Certifications

Applicants MUST possess ALL THREE of the following certifications to be considered for this position:

• HCCP – Housing Credit Certified Professional: Demonstrated expertise in LIHTC / Section 42 tax credit compliance.

• COS – Certified Occupancy Specialist: Knowledge of HUD Multifamily occupancy and certification requirements.

• HCM-R – Housing Compliance Manager – Rural Development: Expertise in USDA Rural Development housing compliance.

All three certifications are non-negotiable requirements. Candidates who do not currently hold HCCP, COS, and HCM-R will not be considered.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience managing a compliance department, preferably within affordable housing or property management.

• Extensive hands-on experience with LIHTC, HUD, Rural Development, and other affordable housing programs is required.

• Demonstrated experience managing compliance for properties with multiple layers of financing and complex regulatory requirements.

• Proven experience supervising, mentoring, and developing compliance professionals.

• Strong understanding of regulatory audits, certifications, reporting requirements, and corrective action processes.

• Ability to independently interpret complex housing regulations and implement effective compliance procedures.

• Experience managing a diverse team, establishing accountability, and navigating challenging compliance situations.

• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively across departments.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or 10+ years of equivalent professional experience.

• Valid driver's license and ability to travel occasionally for business needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional affordable housing compliance certifications, including:

  • COSP – Certified Occupancy Specialist – Public Housing

  • EIVS – Enterprise Income Verification Specialist

  • BOS – Blended Occupancy Specialist

  • STAR – Spectrum Training Award Recipient

• Experience overseeing compliance across multiple affordable housing properties.

• Familiarity with property management accounting, leasing procedures, and resident retention practices.

• Experience with Yardi, SharePoint, Microsoft Word, Excel, and compliance management software.

• Experience working directly with regulatory agencies and external auditors.

Work Environment & Schedule

• This is a fully onsite leadership position.

• Full-time schedule of approximately 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday.

• Direct responsibility for managing a team of four compliance professionals.

• Occasional travel may be required for property visits, audits, training, and industry events.

• Ability to work in a professional office environment and manage multiple projects and deadlines.

Compensation

Annual Salary: $110,000–$130,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

This position offers the opportunity to take on a key leadership role, guide an established compliance team, and make a meaningful impact on affordable housing operations.

Apply Today!

If you are an experienced affordable housing compliance leader with extensive regulatory knowledge, proven team management experience, and the required HCCP, COS, and HCM-R certifications, we encourage you to apply!

We are seeking a knowledgeable, proactive professional who can provide immediate leadership while maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance.

Please Note: All applicants must currently hold HCCP, COS, and HCM-R certifications and have substantial direct experience in affordable housing compliance. Candidates who do not meet these requirements will not be considered.

The employer is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.