What are the responsibilities and job description for the DIRECTOR OF COMPLIANCE position at Bear Property Management?
Summary:
The Director of Compliance is accountable for compliance strategy, risk management, and performance across the full affordable portfolio. This role establishes and enforces oversight standards, leads agency/housing authority relationships, and ensures accurate, timely reporting and corrective action for sites internally and externally managed. This role is responsible for 504 Accommodations/Modifications across all sites including Market Rate and Affordable sites.
Key Responsibilities:
Compliance Oversight:
- Responsible for regulatory compliance for affordable housing portfolios including all programs such as LIHTC, HOME, HTF, SRN, RAD-PBV, RAD-PBRA, etc.
- Monitors compliance with land use agreements, operating agreements, and regulatory documents.
- Maintains oversight of Rental and Income Guidelines, Contract Rent Increases, Payment Standards, and Utility Allowances, Utility Reimbursements, Vacancy Payments, Special Claims processes etc.
- Responsible for the oversite of file auditing procedures with third-party compliance companies for initial and annual recertifications.
- Ensures policies and procedures are in place for 504 Accommodations/Modifications, Grievance Procedures, Waiting Lists, EIV Rules of Behavior, SAVE, etc.
- Ensures IRs and ARs are completed and processed timely.
- Accountable for ensuring all HAP/CHAP contracts, Admin Plans, TSPs, AFHMPs, Regulatory requirements are accurate and implemented correctly.
- Responsible for implementing and oversight of monthly compliance reporting for all assets.
- Responsible for oversight of corrective action plans when sites fall out of compliance or are not performing due to compliance related issues.
- Responsible for establishing reporting standards and sign-off controls to ensure accuracy and consistency across internal and externally managed sites.
- Responsible for ensuring all contract rents are reviewed and implemented to maximize income for all assets in accordance with HAP/CHAP contracts.
- Responsible for ensuring all funding through TRACS/PIC is completed timely.
Federal/Entity/Deal-Level Compliance Obligations:
- SAM.gov annual renewals for all required entities tied to federal funding (HOME, Section 8, etc.).
- Tax-Exempt Bond compliance: IRS Form 8703 tracking/submission and required coordination with Zions / BNY (and any compliance administrator requirements) for all 4% LIHTC deals.
- IHDA SRN unit monitoring: cadence, documentation standards, and issue resolution.
- FHLBC AHP grant reporting: calendar ownership, completeness, and timely submission (Development provides project inputs as needed; Compliance owns the system).
Section 504 / ADA Coordinator
- Serve as the designated Section 504 Coordinator and point of contact for disability-related requests and accessibility matters across the portfolio.
- Manage the reasonable accommodation / reasonable modification process end-to-end:
- Receive and log requests; acknowledge receipt; track timelines.
- Coordinate the interactive process with applicants/residents and site staff.
- Request and review verification (when appropriate) and ensure documentation supports decisions.
- Draft clear approval/denial/alternate-offer notices consistent with policy and fair housing requirements.
- Maintain a centralized 504/ADA case log and secure file system with complete supporting documentation, communications, and outcomes.
- Coordinate with Operations/Facilities and vendors to scope, approve, and track completion of approved modifications (including cost responsibility where applicable), ensuring documentation, invoices, and completion photos/records are retained.
- Prepare recommendations for approvals/denials and escalate high-risk/novel matters to Director of Compliance. This position does not provide legal advice, and escalation to legal counsel is at the discretion of the Director of Compliance and/or VP of Property Management.
- Support accessible unit management:
- Track accessible units/features and ensure appropriate offering/transfer practices per policy.
- Provide guidance to site teams on accessibility-related questions and communications.
- Administer and support the organization’s 504 grievance process and related recordkeeping.
- Deliver ongoing training and job aids for site teams on 504/ADA fundamentals, documentation standards, and resident communication best practices.
- Monitor trends in requests, identify repeat issues, and recommend policy/process improvements.
- Maintains high level of confidentiality.
Relationship Management:
- Builds relationships with agencies, management teams, housing authorities, and stakeholders.
- Serves as the primary escalation point for housing authorities, PBCA/contract administrators, and other HUD Stakeholders.
- Builds relationships with lenders and investors through accurate reporting and program adherence.
- Builds relationships with third-party auditors such as Zeffert, TheoPro, Erbst, etc. Obtains bids for file compliance reviews every 3 years.
Auditing & Reporting:
- Support collaboration between development, managing agents, and asset management by keeping all parties informed of reporting cadence, compliance calendars, and expectations.
- Performs periodic compliance and site visit audits.
- Reviews investor questionnaires, quarterly reports, and annual owner certifications prior to submission.
- Reviews and approves response letters to monitoring agencies, investors, and lenders prior to submission.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 7 years of experience in agency or affordable programming related to real estate management.
- Experience in the affordable housing industry, including HUD, RAD-PBV, RAD-PBRA, LIHTC, HOME, HTF programs. Must be familiar with deeply skewed projects and program layering.
- Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations governing affordable housing and fair housing.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
- Ability to manage priorities and workflow.
- Acute attention to detail.
- High comfort with ambiguity, deadlines, and portfolio-level risk ownership.
- Experience with Property Management Software.
- Proven ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to deal effectively with a diversity of individuals.
- Good judgment and decision-making skills.
- Creative, flexible, and innovative team player.
- Ability to work on complex projects with general direction.
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT WORKING HERE:
- Invest in Your Future: 401(k) with company match, plus annual merit-based increases
- Prioritize Your Health: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, Long-Term Disability, and FSA and HSA options.
- Recharge and Renew: Generous paid time off and 8 paid holidays.
- Voluntary Benefits: Short Term Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity.
- Keep Growing: Ongoing education, leadership training, and advancement opportunities across all departments.
- Celebrate Together: Annual employee appreciation events, team outings, and company-wide recognition programs.
- Make an Impact: Contribute to meaningful projects that shape neighborhoods and improve lives.
- Be Rewarded: Eligible for performance-based bonuses.
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Bear Real Estate Group is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.