Chief Financial Officer

About the Role

At the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA), we’re the largest housing and redevelopment authority in Virginia and a leader in real estate development and property management. Since 1940, NRHA has revitalized and improved neighborhoods in Norfolk, earning recognition as an award-winning public housing authority designated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). NRHA excels in securing private investment partners to fund new neighborhoods, improving low-income public housing, planning and building mixed-income communities, and offering programs that support residents on their path to self-sufficiency.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Executive Officer in planning, developing, organizing, coordinating, directing, and implementing the Authority’s housing and other supportive programs.
• Assist the Executive Officer in preparing information, reports, and recommendations for the NRHA Board of Commissioners (BOC), ensuring the financial integrity of the Authority.
• Monitor the day-to-day financial activities of the following departments:
  • Development / Community Services
  • Public Housing
  • Non-ACC & LIHTC Properties
  • Housing Choice Voucher
  • Administration
• Develop, plan, and implement internal policies, programs, goals, and objectives with the approval of the Executive Officer.
• Act for the Executive Officer in their absence, as assigned.
• In cooperation with the Executive Officer, formulate plans and procedures, establish deadlines, create complex reports, analyze problems, and develop solutions.
• Assist in and coordinate the preparation and timely submission of NRHA’s grant applications, annual budgets, and monitor expenditures during the year.
• Maintain continuing surveillance of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, guidelines, codes, and ordinances pertaining to housing and other supportive programs.
• Communicate with members of Congress, federal, state, and local governmental officials, resident organizations, community organizations, business firms, and news media regarding Authority goals, priorities, and concerns, as assigned by the Executive Officer.
• Attend professional meetings, seminars, and conferences to stay abreast of new trends, activities, and concepts in affordable housing programs.
• Submit reports and statistics required by HUD and review and approve reports and documents required by federal, state, and local jurisdictions.
• Handle highly confidential documents and ensure the confidentiality of sensitive information pertaining to the Authority’s operations.
• Keep the Executive Officer informed of the financial operations of assigned departments daily and submit reports as required.
• Plan, organize, and direct the daily management and administration of all aspects of the delivery and financial maintenance of the Authority's housing and supportive programs.
• Strategize and orchestrate various organizational, program, and priorities.
• Supervise subordinate management, professional, administrative, clerical, and technical staff.
• Initiate discussions on new programs and determine initiation of funding proposals.
• Assist in the development of strategies and direction for both the Authority and individual departments.
• Establish policy-appropriate staff levels in support of Authority goals and objectives; monitor and evaluate efficiency and effectiveness and allocate resources accordingly.
• Work closely with the Chief Administration Officer to access administrative support systems, identify opportunities for improvements, direct and implement change, and establish programs to correct deficiencies.
• Establish formal internal communication systems and methods to develop effective and timely interchange of ideas, information, suggestions, and recommendations among the Executive Director, department heads, and supervisors.
• Assist in the development of Authority policies and procedures implementing Federal, State, and local directives.
• Participate in staff selection, ensure appropriate employee training, motivation, supervision, and evaluation, recommend salary increases, take disciplinary action as necessary, and approve leave requests and timecards.
• Maintain adequate monitoring and reporting systems to ensure the adequacy, quality, and timeliness of Authority work; hold and conduct regular staff meetings, including communication and training on Authority policies.
• Develop the Authority's operational and Capital Fund Program (CFP) budget.
• Ensure strict compliance of agency programs with Federal and State guidelines and regulations; research and analyze new Federal and State guidelines.
• Establish community contacts to facilitate dialog concerning public/private partnerships designed to stimulate the development of affordable housing and related services.
• Respond to, explain, define, defend, and resolve issues pertaining to the Authority's programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues; inform the Executive Director promptly of necessary actions, problems, or requirements.
• Ensure compliance with CFP obligations and expenditure requirements, including reporting.
• Develop cooperative strategies among departments within the Authority and with regulatory and funding agencies, subject to the approval of the CEO.
• Review and approve expenditures as outlined in procurement policies.
• Submit reports and statistics required by HUD.
• Assist in short- and long-term organizational planning.
• Prepare staff reports for the Board of Commissioners, as assigned, and make presentations to the Board and other bodies.
• Prepare resolutions for Commission review and approval.
• Maintain regular and consistent attendance.
• Serve as backup to all department heads.
• Represent the Authority at public meetings and conferences and attend meetings of housing-related professional groups.

Requirements

This position requires expert knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will administer, advise, manage, coordinate, and oversee the Housing Authority's fiscal and financial management programs and activities under the direct supervision of the Executive Director.

Expert knowledge of Public Housing, Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher Program, Tax Credits, Bond Financing, Capital Fund, and Mixed-Finance Development is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred and/or CPA in Public Administration, Business, Planning, Real Estate Development, Finance, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years’ executive-level experience working specifically at a Redevelopment and Housing Authority overseeing all areas, including Finance/Administration, Public Housing/Section 8 Administration, Property Management, Community Development, and Construction/real estate development.
• Demonstrated extensive (5+ years) experience supervising management staff and managing complex projects at an executive level at a redevelopment and housing authority.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Subject to a background check and reference verification prior to hire.
• Must possess or obtain within one year of hire:
  • Certification in Project-Based Rental Assistance Management
  • Certification in Section 8 Executive Management
  • Certification in Tax Credit Property Management
• Must maintain confidentiality and adhere to NRHA’s code of conduct and ethics policies.