A Community of Friends (ACOF) seeks a skilled and mission-driven Director of Asset & Property Management with the vision and experience to supervise, mentor, and build a team of exceptional professionals while ensuring high level performance of ACOF’s portfolio.
BACKGROUND
Since 1988, A Community of Friends has been working to increase the supply of safe, stable, accessible, and permanently affordable housing for the most vulnerable in Southern California. Based in Los Angeles, ACOF’s mission is to end homelessness through the provision of permanent supportive housing for people with mental illness.
Its success has been unprecedented. In the past 23 years, ACOF has completed 35 buildings totaling over 1,300 units. Currently, there are 30 apartment communities in ACOF’s portfolio, housing over 1,100 adults and several hundred children in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Four projects are in construction, with three to begin construction in December 2011.
In addition to housing development, ACOF provides asset management, property management and services coordination to tenants living in its buildings.
ACOF Board of Directors and employees believe in and incorporate three specific values in their everyday work: Dignity, Excellence, andCommunity.
Over the years, ACOF has been recognized as an innovator. ACOF was the first nonprofit in Los Angeles to develop what is now known as permanent supportive housing, with on-site supportive services; develop this housing outside of Skid Row; co-develop with social services agencies; build for homeless families whose head of household has a mental illness; construct “mixed-population” buildings; and initiate mixed-population buildings in mixed-used projects in transit-oriented developments.
ACOF PHILOSOPHY
ACOF believes that supportive housing is a cost-effective solution to ending homelessness that helps people live more stable, productive lives. In ACOF buildings, tenant participation in services is not a condition of tenancy. ACOF utilizes a harm reduction approach and believes recovery is possible for people with mental illness. Services are designed to help people reduce the harm caused by their special needs. Tenants are offered assistance in managing the problems that interfere with their ability to meet the obligations of tenancy, and to achieve the goals they set for themselves.
The Asset & Property Management Department plays an important role in creating a supportive environment for tenants. In its capacity as asset manager, the department works to ensure that ACOF properties meet or exceed development pro forma expectations and meet all reporting and regulatory requirements including tenant stability. But while the asset management staff represents the building owners in ensuring fiscal, physical and regulatory compliance, they must also work closely with ACOF’s Residential Services Department and property management staff to ensure that the on-site team provides tenants with every opportunity to remain stable in housing, and to achieve and enjoy their highest quality of life and personal growth.
Approximately 20% of ACOF’s tenants are considered chronically homeless (HUD definition), and the percentage is increasing annually. 86% of ACOF’s tenants remain stable in housing after one year, with another 55% still in their apartments after three years.
BASIC FUNCTION
The Director of Asset & Property Management is responsible for maintaining fiscal, physical and regulatory compliance for all ACOF buildings. Additionally, the department provides and/or oversees property management services, in the following manner – direct services for five ACOF properties, co-management of eight properties with a third-party property management company, and oversight of property management for the remaining 17 properties in the portfolio via three third-party property management companies. The Director monitors budgets, oversees the limited partnership audits, and ensures compliance with all government and investor requirements. The Director functions as ACOF’s Section 504 Coordinator.
As ACOF’s portfolio ages, the Asset & Property Management Director will also provide strategic leadership for managing Year 15 transitions, including initiation of capital needs assessments and sustainable rehabilitation of buildings.
The Asset & Property Management Director works closely with all departments within the agency, such as project management staff in project initiation and review of LPAs and loan documents, with the Director of Finance on risk management and reserve administration, with the Director of Residential Services on services integration, and with the Director of Administration on staff management.
The Asset & Property Management Department is a revenue generator for ACOF. Its staff of nine (which includes three property managers), generate approximately 12% of ACOF’s budget on an annual basis.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Vision and Leadership
- With the Chief Executive Officer, the Asset & Property Management Director initiates and implements the strategic direction of the department and actively collaborates with other ACOF departments.
- Articulate and implement ACOF’s goals and strategies both internally and externally; inspire and build public and lender support for ACOF’s housing development program through management of its growing portfolio.
- Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field;
Program Implementation
- Ensure quality property management services at every ACOF building, whether provided by ACOF staff or third party providers, by developing and implementing policies and procedures and utilizing standardized management reports regarding vacancies and other key financial and programmatic indicators.
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory agencies and funders.
- Maintain welfare tax exemption and file tax returns and business license renewals.
- Conduct trend analysis on portfolio performance.
- Maintain effective prevention maintenance program. Review vendors and negotiate contracts.
- Continually interface with Residential Services Department to integrate case management and property management functions.
Management
- Ensure that the day-to-day operations and programs of the Asset & Property Management Department are smoothly and effectively administered; provide appropriate oversight of staff activities, property budgets, and overall departmental systems and procedures;
- Mentor, empower and develop staff to ensure that they are well-suited to addressing the challenges working with funders, investors, property managers, tenants, and service providers; ensure that the performance evaluation system provides for clear feedback, clear responsibilities, and levels of accountability for all staff;
- Maintain a climate that attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse professional staff of top quality people;
- Staff the appropriate Board Committee, prepare reports, and provide regular updates that inform and engage the relevant Board Committee.
External Relations
- Participate in external work groups and provide leadership in advocating for public policy changes, as needed;
- Develop and maintain positive relations with funders, investors and vendors.
Ideal Experience
The Director of Asset & Property Management will be a smart and experienced leader with the following or equivalent experience and qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree (Master’s strongly preferred) in accounting, urban planning, real estate finance, or business or public administration;
- Five years of experience working within an affordable housing-related organization, including two years in an upper management/supervisory position;
- Substantial experience in financial analysis and demonstrated knowledge of fair housing laws;
- Demonstrated personal commitment to working with a very low-income constituency;
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills;
- Attention to detail; and
- A track record of effective collaboration.
Personal Characteristics
The successful candidate should be:
- A mission-driven individual who believes in treating people with respect;
- A team builder, confident and competent; one who understands the subtleties of motivating and directing a diverse group of personalities; a team player who values and models working collaboratively, honors diversity and is resourceful, fair and hard working;
- An individual with the energy and fortitude to engage in work which at times may be challenging; with the ability to diffuse situations with calmness and clarity;
- An individual who is straightforward, shares information easily, listens well, and respects the abilities of others; someone who imparts trust and integrity and guides others in a similar vein
- An individual who is emotionally mature, with a sense of humor.
A Community of Friends is an equal opportunity employer. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Submit resume to:
Carlson Beck, LLC
Heidi Holzhauer
heidi@carlsonbeck.com
An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
The position will be filled as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we are unable to personally speak with everyone who contacts us. Should there be a potential match to our current needs, you will be contacted for an interview.
