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HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF NORWALK
Deputy Director

DATE: 12/7/1999

REV DATE: 10/27/2020 & 6/29/26

Reports To: Executive Director

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Deputy Director serves as the Housing Authority's chief operating executive and is responsible for the overall administration, coordination, and management of the Authority's day-to-day operations. The Deputy Director provides executive leadership to multiple operating departments and ensures the effective implementation of the policies, strategic initiatives, and operational priorities established by the Board of Commissioners and Executive Director.

This position provides leadership in organizational planning, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, risk management, and interdepartmental coordination while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.

The Deputy Director acts on behalf of the Executive Director in his or her absence and represents the Authority before residents, public officials, regulatory agencies, community organizations, funding agencies, and the Board of Commissioners.

Essential Functions Executive Leadership

• Provide executive leadership for the Authority's daily operations to ensure efficient, effective, and customer-focused service delivery.
• Assist the Executive Director in implementing the Authority's strategic vision, organizational goals, and Board initiatives.
• Coordinate agency-wide operations to ensure consistency among all departments.
• Serve as Acting Executive Director during the Executive Director's absence with full authority to oversee operations and make administrative decisions.

Operational Leadership and Supervision

Directly supervise and provide executive oversight to:

• Director of Housing Operations
• Director of Maintenance
• Director of Modernization
• Director of Information Technology
• Director of Policy and Research

Additional responsibilities include:

• Establish performance expectations and measurable outcomes for department directors.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide coaching and professional development.
• Promote collaboration among departments to improve organizational efficiency.
• Ensure departmental compliance with Authority policies and strategic objectives.
• Monitor organizational performance through operational metrics and key performance indicators.

Policy Implementation and Regulatory Compliance

• Implement policies and directives established by the Board of Commissioners and Executive Director.
• Develop operational procedures to ensure consistent implementation of agency policies.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws including HUD, CHFA, Fair Housing, ADA, procurement regulations, labor standards, and other applicable housing requirements.
• Monitor changes in legislation and recommend operational adjustments.
• Coordinate internal compliance reviews and corrective action plans.

Organizational Planning and Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate agency operations and recommend improvements to increase efficiency, accountability, and customer service.
• Lead organizational change initiatives and process improvement efforts.
• Develop operational goals, performance standards, and quality improvement measures.
• Utilize performance data to identify trends and implement best practices.

Risk Management and Emergency Operations

• Assist in identifying operational risks and developing mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate emergency preparedness, business continuity, and disaster response activities.
• Ensure continuity of essential housing operations during emergencies.
• Assist with crisis management involving residents, properties, or public safety issues.

Fair Housing and Reasonable Accommodations

• Serve as the Authority's designated decision-maker for requests involving reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications under the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Ensure consistent, timely, equitable, and legally compliant review of accommodation requests.
• Coordinate with legal counsel and department directors regarding complex accommodation matters.

Stakeholder Relations and Public Engagement

• Respond to escalated resident concerns, landlord disputes, public complaints, and community issues.
• Develop productive relationships with HUD, CHFA, municipal officials, nonprofit organizations, elected officials, and community partners.
• Represent the Authority at public meetings, conferences, hearings, and community events.
• In the absence of the Executive Director, serve as the Authority's liaison to the Board of Commissioners and external stakeholders.

Financial Management and Contract Administration

• Assist in the preparation, monitoring, and administration of departmental budgets.
• Monitor operational expenditures and recommend cost‑saving initiatives.
• Oversee operational contracts, procurement activities, and vendor performance.
• Assist with administration of capital improvement projects and grant‑funded initiatives.
• Monitor financial performance of assigned operational divisions.

Strategic Planning and Research

• Oversee research, policy analysis, legislative review, and operational assessments.
• Collaborate with the Director of Policy and Research to evaluate emerging housing trends and funding opportunities.
• Recommend strategic initiatives that improve organizational effectiveness and resident outcomes.

Human Resources and Organizational Development

• Support executive leadership in workforce planning and succession planning.
• Promote employee engagement, accountability, and leadership development.
• Assist with organizational restructuring and implementation of new initiatives.
• Foster a positive organizational culture focused on integrity, innovation, and service excellence.

Executive and Board Support

• Prepare executive reports, presentations, policy recommendations, and correspondence.
• Assist in preparing Board meeting materials.
• Present operational updates to the Board of Commissioners.
• Conduct special projects assigned by the Executive Director.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of HUD regulations, federal housing programs, Fair Housing requirements, ADA, procurement standards, and public housing operations.
• Thorough understanding of housing authority administration, strategic planning, organizational management, and public sector governance.
• Demonstrated executive leadership and supervisory experience managing multiple departments.
• Strong financial management and budget oversight skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex federal and state regulations.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and decision-making abilities.
• Outstanding written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate with residents, elected officials, commissioners, community organizations, media representatives, and government agencies.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to lead organizational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgment.

Technology Skills

Proficiency with:

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Housing Authority software systems including PIC, EIV, and HUD Secure Systems
• PHA Web or comparable public housing management software
• Data analysis and reporting systems

Knowledge of Yardi, Emphasys, HAB, or other affordable housing software is desirable.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Policy, Finance, Urban Planning, or a closely related field required.
• Master's degree in Public Administration (MPA), Business Administration (MBA), Public Policy, Urban Planning, or related discipline preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible management experience in public housing, affordable housing, local government, or a closely related public sector organization.
• Minimum of five (5) years of executive or senior management supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple departments, budgets, regulatory compliance, and organizational operations.