Chief Administrator Officer (CAO)

For the last 30 years, CASA has provided affordable housing in the Triangle for those at risk of homelessness. Grounded in the belief that the solution to homelessness is housing, CASA owns and manages more than fifty multi-family and scattered site residential properties that provide a place to live for families, veterans, individuals with disabilities, formerly homeless individuals and those in the workforce who struggle to afford housing.

CASA is experienced in the full range of management activities required to provide high quality service to residents giving them an opportunity to live successfully. Since the acquisition of its first property in Raleigh in 1993, CASA has grown to nearly five hundred units in Wake, Durham, and Orange Counties, with five additional properties currently under development with more planned in all three counties.

CASA is a non-profit affordable housing organization funded through rental income, philanthropic gifts, and local, state, and federal government. CASA’s main administrative and property management office is in Raleigh, with a second property management location in Durham.

The mission of CASA is to provide access to stable, affordable housing for people who are homeless or at risk by developing and managing rental communities.

To learn more, visit CASA’s website: www.casanc.org

THE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) reports to the Chief Executive Officer and is a member of the Executive Management Team, providing high-level organization-wide leadership. The majority of the work required is performed in an office environment (a blend of virtual and office). The CAO will be based in the Triangle. The CAO assists the CEO in directing and coordinating operational, development-related, and administrative facets of CASA’s real estate development, property management, behavioural health intervention team and facilities. They will manage and collaborate with five direct reports (Sr. Director Real Estate Development, Director of Community Partnerships & Resident Relations, King’s Ridge Director, Property Management Supervisor and Director of Facilities) to develop and implement actionable plans, ensuring the efficient running of the operational infrastructure to support CASA’s growth, objectives, and vision. The CAO must model CASA’s values, lead by example from a position of integrity and be someone who “Talks Straight.”

CASA is seeking candidates with strong project management skills and experience that can be applied to managing complex development projects, budgets, affordable housing support services, and financing. The CAO is a pivotal and supervisory management position, with a high degree of responsibility to ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively to create viable socially responsible affordable housing opportunities that are safe, secure, and well maintained for CASA’s residents.

The ideal candidate is an analytical thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset who is excited by CASA’s mission. The CAO will be called upon to fulfil the following key responsibilities:

• Promote collaboration and communication between team members/departments to ensure positive agency culture that supports CASA’s mission, vision, and values.
• Resolve issues with the agency’s operations in a timely manner.
• Participate in ongoing strategic and tactical planning efforts that strengthen the organization’s infrastructure, sustainability, and impact in the communities it serves.
• Assist the CEO in assessing and identifying operational strategies, performance metrics, and financial challenges and opportunities to support the organizations mission-driven growth.
• Inspire, lead, and manage across departments, working with the CEO to empower, engage, and develop all teammates and areas within the organization
• Develop and maintain standards that govern the administration of all CASA’s current and future properties, development, and support services in conjunction with direct reports. Work with external legal and affordable housing resources to inform the creation of a high performing sustainable model of operations.
• Creates annual budgets in partnership with the CFO and with input from direct reports.
• Use financial modelling with CFO to guide asset growth and management.
• Monitor annual budget performance with Directors. Review annual budgets prepared by the CFO.
• Analyze monthly financial reports prepared by the CFO and identify follow-up actions to keep operations within budget or better.
• Oversee all aspects of budgets and management practices for new real estate developments, ensures smooth transition from development to operations while also ensuring all lease-up schedules are met.
• Coordinate the execution of strategic initiatives with the ability to drive all projects and manage the organizational roadmap from start to finish to ensure timelines are met, project challenges are addressed, and regular updates are provided to both project teams and the CEO.
• Solicits new opportunities for CASA through the management of existing relationships, by fostering new relationships, and by ensuring a positive reputation within the Triangle.
• Interface and build trusting relationships within the organization, including staff, Board of Directors, and other volunteers, as well as with external entities such as contractors, vendors, local and state officials, funding agencies, and other key stakeholders.
• Use knowledge of industry practices, tenant landlord law, standards, procedures, new legislation to constantly update and improve CASA’s policies and procedures and to train and hold employees accountable to adhering to the policies and procedures to mitigate risk and maximize operational efficiencies.
• Maintain professional knowledge through continuing education, professional publications, personal networks, and participation in related professional development opportunities and activities.
• Participate in the recruitment, selection, and evaluation process to ensure that CASA is and remains an employer of choice.

SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS, AND ATTRIBUTES OF THE CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

The Chief Administrative Officer must demonstrate a firm commitment to and passion for CASA’s mission and vision. The ideal candidate will possess sufficient experience and training to execute the responsibilities of the position. They will also demonstrate the following qualifications, skills, and attributes:

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in Business, Finance, Real Estate Development, Non-Profit Management, or relevant degree with experience from an accredited college/university.
• Seven to ten years of experience in operations or relevant field.
• Five years or more years of progressively responsible management positions that included fiscal oversight and supervisory experience with direct responsibility for hiring, training, goal setting, performance assessment, and other staff management functions.
• Considerable knowledge of laws, policies, procedures, principles, methods, and techniques of efficient administration, budgeting, fiscal management, and evaluation of business operations.
• An entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to think strategically while implementing tactically.
• Process orientation with experience creating and improving upon systems.
• The ability to prioritize, organize, plan, and manage projects and schedules to meet deadlines and achieve desired outcomes.
• Strong leadership and management skills that can be applied to create and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders and positively influence CASA’s culture.
• The ability to lead, coach, inspire, support, and motivate a team of diverse individuals with multi-functional responsibilities.
• Ability to express ideas and interpret policies and procedures clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, and to speak effectively before large groups.
• A willingness to seek out information and resources to work through complex problems.
• The ability to make sound business decisions in line with CASA’s mission.
• Strong problem solving and conflict mitigation and resolution skills.
• Experience working with an organization in growth mode.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Teams.
• Expertise with local, State and Federal housing regulations and grants administration; Section 8, Multifamily, Low Income Housing Tax Credit knowledge, and knowledge of property management.
• Solid understanding of accounting requirements; working knowledge of MS Office and knowledge of or ability to learn property management software.
• Knowledge and understanding of the affordable housing and property management landscape.
• Exposure to or experience working with a mission-driven non-profit
• Valid driver’s license.