Chief Executive Officer

Position Summary

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has total responsibility for leading, managing, planning, directing and improving the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s (ARHA’s) assets, programs, redevelopment initiatives and resident services. The CEO is the organization’s primary liaison with the ARHA Board of Commissioners (Board), HUD, and state and local entities.

The CEO’s role is to support ARHA’s day-to-day operations as well as strategic goals and objectives that will produce the results that accomplish ARHA’s mission.

Essential Functions

The essential functions below illustrate the broad scope of executive responsibilities assigned to this position.  These examples do not limit or exclude other duties that are similar, related, or logically assigned with the role of CEO.  The CEO performs the following functions and any additional responsibilities as directed by and on behalf of the Board.

CEO/Board Relationship

• Works under the Board’s direction to implement strategies, plans, and policies, and keeps the Board appropriately informed on ARHA matters.
• Provides strategic leadership to the Board of Commissioners by serving as its Secretary and primary liaison, ensuring clear and comprehensive communication on financial status, operational performance, and priority initiatives. Proposes policy initiatives aligned with ARHA goals and delivers high-level analyses that inform decision-making, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen long-term organizational performance.
• Collaborates with the Board to develop ARHA’s strategic and operational plans.  Designs effective organizational structures and plans, and implements internal policies, programs and priorities.
• Serves as the key conduit between the Board and ARHA staff.  Responds promptly to Board inquiries and often acts as ARHA spokesperson and representative to ARHA’s residents and the Alexandria community.

CEO Leadership

• Provides effective, collaborative and ethical executive leadership to administer, manage, and direct the daily affairs and activities of ARHA in a best-practices continuous-improvement manner and in accordance with all applicable housing authority laws, rules, and regulations, as well as with the bylaws, plans, and policies adopted by the Board.
• Leads the senior executive team to develop high-performing skills and to meet annual and long-term goals and objectives, including plans associated with Board, HUD, federal, state and local mandates, ensuring policies, plans, and procedures align with ARHA’s mission, vision, and strategic initiatives.
• Serve as a leader and mentor to ARHA staff in helping them achieve their highest potential.

Real Estate Development / Asset Management

• Provides executive oversight of ARHA’s real estate portfolio by managing all property transactions and redevelopment negotiations and resulting agreements to ensure integrity, alignment with ARHA’s mission, and appropriate risk management.  Maintains a current, strategically aligned real estate redevelopment plan and repositioning strategy, and conducts regular portfolio analyses to assess performance, identify opportunities, and adjust business strategies and partnerships to support long-term ARHA goals.
• Ensures that periodic Physical Needs Assessments of all ARHA properties are undertaken, resulting in increased investments via a to-be-developed multi-year comprehensive capital improvement program.
• Focuses on residential maintenance practices and outcomes in order that ARHA’s real estate portfolio is maintained at least at levels required by HUD, as well as required by local ordinances.

Management and Administration

• Provides strategic leadership of ARHA’s human resources by partnering with the Director of Human Resources to administer compensation, make final personnel decisions, recommend salary and benefit structures to the Board, and set performance systems aligned with ARHA’s mission and goals.
• Fosters a positive, ethical, accountable and mission-driven team-focused organizational culture by supporting staff, promoting professional growth, designing and implementing an organizational development plan, and setting performance systems aligned with ARHA’s mission and goals.
• Provides strategic financial leadership by partnering with ARHA’s Director of Finance to ensure the accurate preparation of all financial reports and directing the development and timely preparation of ARHA’s operating budget.  Manages ARHA’s financial affairs, authorizes expenditures, and ensures effective and efficient use of funds.  Identifies and secures non-federal funding sources to strengthen the long-term viability of ARHA’s housing and service programs.
• Ensures responsible and ethical stewardship of all ARHA assets by upholding strict standards for the use, care, and protection of funds and assets.  Oversees and participates in contract negotiations with external agencies and companies for major maintenance and management services.
• Engages in ongoing professional development and collaborates with peer agencies, the Alexandria City government, and community organizations on mutually beneficial initiatives

CEO/Residents/Stakeholders

• Engages with ARHA residents, public officials, governmental representatives, partner agencies and community organizations to discuss ARHA’s goals, priorities, challenges, and emerging concerns, seeking alignment between ARHA resident and community needs and priorities.
• Ensures a fair, responsive, and transparent resident and voucher holder experience by addressing unresolved requests and complaints, guiding residents on their hearing rights, maintaining a service program centered on trust and timely support, and implementing effective communication and engagement systems that keep residents and participants fully informed of ARHA’s plans, policies, and actions.
• Maintains a responsive, transparent, and collaborative working relationship with HUD and other federal, state, and city officials.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, urban planning, community development, or a related field from an accredited four-year college or university is required. A master’s degree in one of the above disciplines is preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in public administration, public finance, real estate or property management, or a related field involving management of multifamily housing or redevelopment projects.
• At least 10 years of professional program management work experience, including 7 years of senior-level management experience in public housing, affordable housing, and/or real estate/redevelopment environment.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.