DIRECTOR OF HOUSING OPERATIONS
Job Description
Director of Housing Operations - Michigan Portfolio
Location: Kalamazoo & Detroit, Michigan
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Salary: $120,000-$150,000; commensurate with experience
Benefits: Health, dental, vision, Simple IRA, life and supplemental insurance, short- and long-term disability, PTO, paid parental leave, and more.
Travel Demands: This position is based in Michigan and requires extensive travel within the state to oversee lease-ups, conduct site visits, and meet with local partners.
Please Note: Communications regarding this position may include the company name “Banner Property” and should be deemed legitimate.
About Us:
Full Circle Communities is a non-profit organization that develops and operates affordable and permanent supportive housing across Illinois, Michigan, and Iowa. We believe that housing is the foundation on which lives are built. Education, employment, health, social connection and well-being are all improved when housing is stable and secure. Our person-centered approach goes beyond housing affordability through the provision of supportive services designed to help residents maintain stable housing and achieve their personal goals.
Across our portfolio, we serve a diverse range of residents including seniors, families, and individuals with complex experiences such as mental illness, substance use disorders, chronic medical conditions, or histories of homelessness. We support our residents’ needs and goals through crucial services such as case management, healthcare, behavioral health and substance use support, childcare, employment, and education.
We look for committed and enthusiastic individuals who are energized by our mission and the challenges of creating and operating service-rich affordable housing. We invest in our team members’ growth as we expect them to invest in the growth of the organization.
See our website at http://www.fccommunities.org/ for more information.
Position Summary:
The Director of Operations (Michigan) is the operational lead for Full Circle’s second-largest footprint, functioning as the primary owner for the state’s portfolio performance and strategic growth. This role bridges high-level strategy with site-level execution to ensure properties operate efficiently and align with the organization's mission. The Director provides comprehensive oversight of site teams, financial performance, and capital initiatives, while developing the necessary operational frameworks to manage non-residential and mixed-use assets effectively.
Specific duties of the role include:
Portfolio Operations:
- Implement the overarching operational strategy for the Michigan portfolio to align property performance with the organization’s long-term financial and mission-driven goals.
- Diagnose root causes for underperforming assets (financial, physical, or cultural) and execute holistic revitalization plans to restore stability, mirroring the turnaround standards used in the core portfolio.
- Manage the operating budget for the Michigan portfolio, ensuring properties meet targets for occupancy, rent collection, and expense control.
- Review weekly performance data, directing the management team to implement corrective actions when targets are missed.
- Lead the development of Full Circle’s non-residential management capacity, establishing protocols for managing commercial tenants and mixed-use spaces to ensure these assets are financially viable.
- Partner with the Real Estate Development team to lead the operational intake of new construction projects, creating precise lease-up budgets and marketing strategies.
- Maintain and optimize the regional operational infrastructure and capital projects in coordination with the COO.
Mission Integration:
- Act as the primary operational counterpart to Mission Impact leadership, ensuring that Property Management goals work in harmony with resident or service goals.
- Ensure site teams are effectively engaging in blended management processes, holding staff accountable for their collaboration with service providers.
- Collaborate with Mission Impact to finalize operational agreements (MOUs) with local service providers.
- Align property management workflows to support grant-funded initiatives managed by the Mission Impact team.
Team Leadership:
- Drive greater stability and reduce turnover across the team through actively mentoring staff, managing staff satisfaction, and team cohesion.
- Directly supervise and integrate site teams, ensuring a successful transition from third-party management practices to Full Circle’s operational standards.
- Lead a robust training initiative for site staff, identifying skills gaps and delivering targeted coaching on Full Circle’s systems and resident-centered approach.
- Foster a unified organizational culture that champions Full Circle’s mission while integrating the unique values and perspectives of the Michigan team to drive collective growth.
- Exercise the authority to hire, terminate, and promote staff within the Michigan region.
Compliance:
- Drive accountability for state-level compliance, ensuring all operations adhere strictly to MSHDA (Michigan State Housing Development Authority) regulations and other local funding requirements.
- Direct the physical preparation for state agency inspections and investor reporting and audits, to ensure properties meet MSHDA physical standards.
Qualifications and Skills:
Candidates must have:
- 10+ years of progressive experience with affordable housing operations.
- 5+ years’ experience managing site level staff at 5+ affordable properties.
- Specific expertise in marketing and stabilizing new affordable housing developments, including managing initial tax credit delivery.
- Proficiency in Yardi or similar property management software.
- Deep understanding of LIHTC and HUD regulations, with a strong preference for specific MSHDA knowledge.
- Sophisticated ability to de-escalate high-stakes resident or community issues.
- Strong written and verbal skills, capable of representing the organization to investors, state agencies, and local offices.
- Commitment to the Housing First model and the flexible, human-centered needs of vulnerable populations.
- Demonstrated experience managing new construction lease-ups or market entry for an affordable housing developer.
- Experience managing scattered-site portfolios or remote teams.
- Valid driver’s license, insurance, and a reliable vehicle.
Strong Candidates will meet the above criteria and meet these qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Real Estate, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Experience working specifically with MSHDA-financed assets.
- Experience with permanent supportive housing (PSH).
- Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation.
Full Circle Communities headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois, but this position will be based in Michigan in either Full Circle’s offices in Kalamazoo or Detroit. Our offices function in a relaxed, casual business environment. This role is hybrid with in-office expectations of at least 2 days per week with in-office requirements flexibility when traveling.
At FCC, you'll be part of a mission-driven team working to expand access to stable, affordable housing across our communities. We offer a collaborative environment where contributions are valued and professional growth is supported.
Application Requirements: Please include a cover letter with your application.
Pre-Employment Requirements: final candidates will be required to pass a background check and provide professional references.
Full Circle is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and while we have a set of preferred qualifications listed, if you have other experience that you think is related, please apply.