The Head of Compliance is a highly collaborative, solutions-oriented leader with influencing capability who aligns the property management strategy with the business strategy. The Head of Compliance is a strategic doer who demonstrates ingenuity and collaboration throughout the organization. The Head of Compliance will monitor and evaluate regulatory compliance of the Fairstead portfolio and provide feedback and support to the operations team to ensure compliance excellence.  

Empathy and strong interpersonal skills are essential. S/He/y must be compassionate, self-aware, and able to skillfully manage their emotions and those of others. 

The Head of Compliance is responsible for the regulatory compliance, occupancy levels, and ownership satisfaction of Fairstead's portfolio of managed properties, which range from 100-150 individual properties to 10,000 – 20,000 units across the US. This role manages a comprehensive compliance program that is continually updated with best practices.  

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Creates the vision and strategies to guide the company in response to industry compliance best practices, trends (e.g., Future of Work), and the company’s ever-changing needs. 
• Works with corporate and regional affordable housing compliance teams to ensure site and portfolio-level compliance with affordable housing program requirements (e.g., but not limited to, Project-Based Section 8 and LIHTC) and federal, state, and local fair housing laws. 
• Develops and cultivates working relationships with senior leaders at state and local regulatory agencies and HUD that oversee and regulate properties within the portfolio. 
• Identifies compliance areas of concern and improvement; develops and recommends solutions; and drives resolutions. 
• Identifies opportunities to create standard operating procedures across the portfolio, which optimize operations, reduce costs, and ensure a consistent delivery experience. 
• Assists Development staff in evaluating investor proposals for new developments – acquisitions including performing due–diligence review and analyses of real estate.  
• Partner with Asset Management to provide effective analysis and reporting to all investors and lenders. 
• Partners with Operations and Asset Management to develop and execute corrective action plans for properties not meeting benchmarks. 
• Ensures compliance with company policies and local, regional, and federal regulations. 
• Collaborates with Human Resources and Organizational Development to identify training needs across the portfolio to achieve operational, financial, and business goals. 
• Guides and supports VPs, directors, and managers. 
• Assesses, evaluates, and reports overall team and individual team member performance. 
• Builds and approves the department’s hiring plan, built off specific budgets.  
• Prepares objectives, key results, and quarterly check-ins for staff promptly. 
• Defines a sense of operational excellence, pride, and teamwork among all employees. 
• Builds on Fairstead’s success to create an employee-first operations team that effectively collaborates, communicates, plans, resolves challenges, and works together in the company's best interests. 
• Ensures alignment and instills the Fairstead Values of empathy, Integrity, Collaboration, Transparency, and Communication across the company’s fully vertically integrated platform. 
• Collaborate with other executives and SVPs to decide on business strategies to ensure company growth and stability. 
• Strategizes and implements operational and structural changes with other senior executives. 
• Prepares, delivers, and presents reports at key executive meetings. 
• Travel required. 

BENEFITS: 

• Generous employer contribution for Medical and Dental through United Healthcare. 
• Employer Paid Vision Plans. 
• Company Matched 401(k) Retirement Plan: 100% of the first 3%; 50% of the next 2%. 
• 12 paid Holidays. 
• 20 days of PTO. 
• 7 Sick days. 
• Employer Paid Life Insurance. 
• Flexible Spending Account. 
• Nationwide Pet Insurance. 
• Disability Insurance. 
• Laser Correction Discount. 
• Employee Discounts on appliances, apparel, and more. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Experience in a managerial or executive role in the property management industry or real estate industry.  
• Experience managing affordable housing properties. 
• Experience and knowledge of laws and regulations that apply to affordable housing properties (HUD, IRS (Internal Revenue Service), and State Agencies). 
• 8+ years of Affordable Housing Compliance, manager level or above. 
• Certification in Affordable Housing (COS, C3P, NCP, FHC (Fair Housing Certification), etc.). 
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret regulatory agreements, reports, and legal documents. 
• Demonstrates ability and proven record of accomplishment in analytics, strategic planning, decision making, and implementation.? 
• Working knowledge of data analysis and performance metrics, including strong analytical skills and a data-driven mindset. 
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills. 
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management or relevant field. 
• Experience in a formal strategic planning process, development through implementation, is highly desirable. 
• Excellent presentation and interpersonal skills. 
• A superb understanding of corporate legislation and company guidelines. 
• Ability to problem-solve and be a strong team player.  
• Extremely organized, punctual, and goal-driven. 
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills; ability to relate to others. 

OVERVIEW: 

Fairstead is a purpose-driven real estate firm dedicated to building sustainable communities across the country. Headquartered in New York, with offices in Colorado, Florida, and Maryland, Fairstead owns a portfolio of more than 25,000 apartments across 28 states that includes 17,000 units under management. Our commitment to communities is realized through a comprehensive platform that leverages in-house expertise in acquisitions, development, design and construction, asset management, and property management.  

Our mission is to provide high-quality housing to all, regardless of income. We accomplish this through an empathetic and innovative approach, and by leveraging our interdisciplinary platform as an investor, developer, owner, and operator. With a long-term commitment to our residents, communities, and partners, our team stands out by: 

• Listening to and understanding the needs of residents, communities, partners, and stakeholders alike. 
• Developing and preserving high-quality, sustainable, affordable housing.  
• Creating a positive social and environmental impact within the properties and communities we serve. 

Diversity in backgrounds and experiences is key to Fairstead’s success. Being an equal opportunity employer is a central tenet of our philosophy that shapes who we are and the communities we serve. Our goal is to ensure competitive total compensation that is commensurate with experience, location, and other market benchmarks. 

Fairstead’s Core Values 

• Empathy 
• Innovation 
• Entrepreneurship 
• Determination 
• Integrity 

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