Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Real Estate / Affordable Housing

A vertically integrated real estate management firm is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead and scale affordable housing and mixed-income property management operations across a diversified portfolio. This executive-level role is responsible for aligning day-to-day operations with ownership objectives, navigating complex regulatory environments, and driving operational excellence while protecting the financial integrity of the portfolio.

Responsibilities:

Operational & Executive Leadership

• Partner with ownership and senior leadership on operational strategy for an affordable housing portfolio
• Develop and implement policies and procedures aligned with affordable housing regulations and industry best practices
• Build an inclusive, high-performance culture that supports leadership development and accountability
• Deliver timely, accurate operational and compliance reporting to ownership

Property & Team Oversight

• Lead property management teams and office staff across affordable and mixed-income communities
• Provide guidance on leasing, tenant relations, rent and subsidy collections, compliance, legal matters, and maintenance operations
• Oversee union-related matters (32BJ) as needed
• Conduct scheduled and unscheduled site visits to ensure operational and compliance standards

Financial & Risk Management

• Operate assets in alignment with ownership and fiduciary objectives
• Ensure accurate billing and collection of rents, subsidies, and other income sources
• Partner with compliance teams to maximize allowable rent and subsidy increases
• Oversee annual budgeting, P&L performance, and variance analysis
• Implement performance metrics and monthly property reporting
• Mitigate operational and regulatory risk through training, standardized documentation, and policy enforcement

Capital Projects & Direct Execution

• Coordinate major capital improvement projects across affordable housing assets, including façades, roofs, boilers, elevators, fire systems, and energy-efficiency upgrades
• Oversee NYC Local Law compliance (87, 88, 97) where applicable
• Manage relationships with engineers, contractors, attorneys, and insurance brokers
• Oversee reserve drawdowns and annual tax escalation billings for commercial tenants
• Perform select HR and bookkeeping functions for the management entity
• Interface with tenants, vendors, legal counsel, and government agencies on special projects
• Support General Partner–level functions as needed

Qualifications:

• Senior leadership experience in affordable housing property management or real estate operations
• Strong knowledge of HUD, LIHTC, rent stabilization, and other regulated housing programs
• Proven financial and operational expertise, including budgeting and compliance reporting
• Experience managing unionized properties preferred
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills