Director Office of Housing

Director of the Office of Housing

Housing is fundamental to a thriving community, and meeting today's housing challenges requires more than good ideas. It requires thoughtful leadership, strong partnerships, and the ability to turn strategy into action.

Albemarle County is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Director of the Office of Housing to lead the County's housing programs, policy, and strategic initiatives. Reporting to the Chief of Human Services, the Director will help shape how the County responds to evolving housing needs while leading a diverse portfolio of affordable housing programs and initiatives. The role combines strategic leadership with operational responsibility, including oversight of federally, state, and locally funded programs such as the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program.

This is an opportunity for a leader who can see both the possibilities and the path required to achieve them. The Director will work across sectors, engaging residents, community organizations, nonprofit agencies, housing developers, governmental entities, and regional stakeholders to build support, leverage resources, and advance meaningful housing solutions. As the County's principal advisor on housing matters, the Director will also provide strategic recommendations to County leadership and help translate complex housing issues into informed policy and action.

The successful candidate will bring both vision and execution: the ability to recognize opportunities, develop sound strategies, navigate regulatory and organizational complexities, and carry initiatives from concept through implementation. We are looking for someone who is as interested in determining how an idea can be accomplished as what should be done.

As Director of the Office of Housing, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the County's housing efforts. Key areas of responsibility include:

• Housing Strategy, Policy & Implementation: Shape and advance the County's housing priorities by developing strategies, policies, and initiatives that respond to evolving community needs. Translate priorities into actionable plans and guide initiatives from development through implementation and evaluation.
• Housing Programs & Services: Lead a diverse portfolio of affordable housing programs and initiatives, including the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program and other federally, state, and locally funded programs. Ensure effective service delivery while maintaining compliance with applicable regulatory and funding requirements.
• People, Operations & Resources: Lead the Housing Division's staff and operations, establishing priorities, allocating resources, developing employees, and promoting accountability and continuous improvement. Provide oversight of the division's budget, funding sources, grants, contracts, and other resources entrusted to the Office of Housing.
• Partnerships & Community Solutions: Build productive relationships with residents, nonprofit organizations, housing developers, governmental entities, regional organizations, and other stakeholders. Bring people and resources together to identify opportunities, address challenges, and advance effective housing solutions.
• Housing Leadership & Executive Advising: Serve as the County's principal advisor on housing matters, providing informed recommendations on emerging issues, programs, policies, and strategic priorities. Represent the County with community organizations, governmental agencies, advisory bodies, and other stakeholders, communicating complex housing issues clearly and building support around a path forward.

The ideal candidate will bring strong knowledge of affordable housing along with the leadership, judgment, and practical problem-solving skills necessary to move complex work forward. We are looking for someone who can think strategically while remaining grounded in implementation and results.

You will be successful in this role if you:

• Turn ideas into action. You can translate housing priorities and promising concepts into achievable plans, identify the steps and resources needed to move forward, navigate obstacles, and maintain momentum from concept through implementation.
• Lead with both vision and practicality. You understand the broader housing landscape, recognize emerging needs and opportunities, and can develop innovative approaches while considering regulatory requirements, available resources, land use and development processes, and community impact.
• Build trust and bring people together. You can establish productive relationships across sectors and work effectively with residents, community organizations, developers, government agencies, elected and appointed officials, and other stakeholders. You listen to differing perspectives, build consensus where possible, and know how to move work forward when interests do not fully align.
• Navigate complexity with sound judgment. You are comfortable working within complex…