Policy and Process Specialist I

About the role

This position is housed in the Asset Management department, which monitors long-term compliance with physical, financial, operational, and administrative requirements for IHDA-assisted developments. Serving on the Asset Operations and Strategy team, the Policy and Process Specialist I drives implementation of departmental strategic direction through consultative work on policy, processes, data, systems modernization, and training.

Responsibilities

• Serves as an implementation partner in advancing the strategic direction set by the Director and Deputy Director.
• Supports transformation initiatives, including software procurement, system implementation, and lifecycle tracking modernization.
• Aids in department-wide strategic planning, prioritization, performance reporting, and stakeholder consultation.
• Facilitates change management practices to ensure successful adoption of new systems, policies, and workflows.
• Works in coordination to ensure alignment across Asset Management, Multifamily Finance, Legal, IT, and external partners.
• Policies, Process & Systems Modernization
• Reviews, drafts, revises, and maintains policies, procedures, workflows, templates, and process maps related to pre-closing, closing, post-closing transfer, and compliance operations.
• Evaluates departmental operational practices and facilitates improvements to streamline core functions and improve internal and external client experience.
• Ensures consistency between written policies, system configurations, and training materials during development and implementation.
• Supports system user administration, testing, data validation, and workflow alignment in coordination with IT and data teams.
• Develops tools to solicit, track, and incorporate stakeholder input and feedback into process improvements.
• Compiles and analyzes operational data, identifies trends, and makes recommendations to improve efficiency and compliance outcomes.
• Develops and maintains centralized resource libraries and workflow documentation.
• Lifecycle Coordination
• Coordinates processes and documentation for project pre-closing, closing, and post-closing transfer in collaboration with Asset Management teams, Multifamily Finance, Legal, and external development/property management partners.
• Intakes, tracks, reviews, and routes document submissions for completeness and compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local rules and standards.
• Prepares, reviews, and updates pre-closing, closing, and post-closing policies, procedures, document templates, and workflows to reflect regulatory requirements and best practices.
• Prepares and maintains lifecycle status reports by project and communicates updates, risks, and resolution strategies internally and externally.
• Supports and participates in pre-closing, closing, pre-occupancy, and post-closing transfer meetings and discussions.
• Proactively identifies and implements strategies to resolve closing, compliance, and transfer-related questions or issues.
• Training & Stakeholder Engagement
• Supports training for internal and external audiences to ensure clear, consistent, timely, and compliant processes.
• Updates onboarding materials to reflect current policies and lifecycle workflows.
• Supports coordination for gathering input in policy and training development and conforms content to IHDA-wide standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 5 years’ progressively responsible experience with Federally-financed affordable multifamily rental housing required.
• Thorough knowledge of the following funding sources/programs desired: LIHTC, HOME, Section 8, Risk Share, Tax Exempt Bonds, and Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Strong capacity to develop narrative and visual documents and document elements that are clear, appropriately concise, and modern required.

Skills

• Project management, continuous process improvement training recommended as available.

Benefits

Currently in a hybrid work arrangement, but candidates must reside in Illinois at time of hire. Medical/dental/vision/life insurance plans Short/long term disability Tuition reimbursement Flex spending 401K plan – immediate vesting IHDA employees may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs.

Pay

$60,088.93 - $75,111.16

Schedule

Flexible scheduling is available, upon completion of a six-month probationary period.