Executive Director Recruitment Announcement
The Poughkeepsie Housing Authority (PHA) seeks an innovative, ethical and results-driven executive to serve as
its next Executive Director. Reporting to the seven-member Board of Commissioners, the Executive Director
serves as Chief Executive Officer and will guide PHA through a transformative period of redevelopment,
organizational renewal, housing preservation and resident-centered service.
The successful candidate will combine vision, sound judgment, fiscal discipline, housing expertise and
collaborative leadership to strengthen operations, advance redevelopment, support residents and position the
Authority for long-term sustainability. The Executive Director is expected to exercise independent judgment,
sound executive leadership and strategic decision-making within the policies established by the Board.
About the Poughkeepsie Housing Authority
PHA operates five public housing sites comprising 359 units, administers approximately 169 Housing Choice
Vouchers and employs approximately 20 staff members. The Authority is advancing major preservation and
redevelopment initiatives, including RAD, Section 18 repositioning, Choice Neighborhoods, modernization,
capital improvements and partnership-driven strategies.
PHA is committed to providing safe, affordable housing while creating pathways to economic opportunity,
homeownership and upward mobility for low-income individuals, families, seniors and children.
Position Summary
Under the policy direction of the Board, the Executive Director is accountable for the planning, administration and
overall performance of the Authority. The Executive Director leads daily operations and long-range strategy while
ensuring HUD compliance, sound fiscal practices and alignment with PHA's mission.
This role requires an accomplished leader who can balance operational excellence with redevelopment strategy,
financial stewardship, staff leadership, resident engagement, public accountability and strong governmental,
community, funding and development partnerships. The Board seeks a leader prepared to move the Authority
beyond maintenance of the status quo and build a high-performing, sustainable organization.
Key Responsibilities
• Provide executive leadership for PHA's public housing, Housing Choice Voucher, maintenance,
redevelopment, finance, procurement, human resources, resident services and administrative functions.
• Implement Board policies, support effective governance and provide timely information, recommendations
and performance reporting to assist Board oversight and decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with HUD requirements, federal, state and local laws, procurement standards, audits,
inspections, PHAS, SEMAP, corrective action plans and other regulatory performance measures.
• Direct budgeting, financial reporting, audits, internal controls, contract administration and fiscal management
while ensuring sound stewardship and clear financial communication to the Board.
• Lead redevelopment and preservation strategies, including RAD, Section 18, LIHTC, mixed-finance
development, project-based vouchers, modernization, capital improvements, asset management and Choice
Neighborhoods initiatives.
• Pursue grants, philanthropic opportunities, strategic partnerships and alternative funding sources that support
operations, redevelopment, resident services and long-term organizational sustainability.
• Establish performance measures, monitor outcomes, strengthen organizational systems and recruit, supervise,
mentor, evaluate and develop staff while promoting accountability, teamwork and succession planning.
• Strengthen resident communication, dignity, trust and engagement, particularly during redevelopment,
modernization, relocation and major operational initiatives. Support partnerships that advance self-sufficiency,
education, workforce opportunity and quality of life.
• Conduct regular reviews of properties, programs, maintenance operations, risk areas and service delivery to
ensure safe, responsive and effective operations.
• Represent PHA before HUD, residents, elected officials, municipal leaders, labor representatives,
governmental agencies, developers, lenders, funders and community stakeholders.
• Lead the Authority through emergencies, operational disruptions, regulatory challenges, public relations
matters and organizational transitions while maintaining a collaborative, solutions-oriented culture.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree required. A master's degree in public administration, business administration, urban
planning, public policy, housing management, finance or a related field is preferred.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible executive or senior management experience, including at
least two years supervising professional staff, in public or affordable housing, government administration,
community development, redevelopment, nonprofit housing or a comparable executive leadership
environment.
• Strong knowledge of HUD regulations, public housing operations, Housing Choice Voucher administration,
asset management, procurement, contract administration, public-sector budgeting, audits and financial
reporting.
• Direct experience with or strong working knowledge of affordable housing redevelopment, RAD, Section 18,
LIHTC, mixed-finance development, project-based vouchers, Choice Neighborhoods, capital improvements,
modernization or housing preservation strategies is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change, improving operational performance, implementing
policy and managing complex initiatives in a public-sector or similarly accountable environment.
• Demonstrated success in grant development, resource development, fundraising, strategic partnerships or
alternative funding strategies is preferred.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, negotiation and relationship-building skills with residents, staff,
commissioners, HUD, elected officials, developers, lenders, funders and community partners. Experience
leading diverse teams and working effectively with individuals and communities of varied socioeconomic
backgrounds is required.
• Experience negotiating, administering or working effectively within a unionized workforce environment is
preferred. The successful candidate must obtain NAHRO Public Housing Management or Executive Director
Certification within one year of employment.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training and directly related experience may be considered only when
they demonstrate comparable executive leadership responsibility and relevant accomplishments.
Because this is a chief executive role, candidates should demonstrate enterprise-level responsibility for multiple
organizational functions, direct accountability for budgets and staff, regular reporting to a governing board and
measurable results in a complex, publicly accountable environment. Technical or program-specific experience
without comparable organizational leadership will not, by itself, satisfy the executive experience requirement.
The Board will give greatest consideration to candidates who can demonstrate measurable accomplishments in
HUD performance, financial stabilization, redevelopment, resource generation, staff development, resident trust
and governmental or community partnerships.
Leadership Profile
The Board seeks a visionary, strategic and practical leader with integrity, executive presence, political awareness,
emotional intelligence and resilience. The successful candidate must demonstrate transparency, accountability,
fiscal stewardship, creativity and a commitment to resident dignity, equity, inclusion and service excellence. This
individual must be able to inspire confidence, build consensus, lead change and foster a high-performing,
collaborative and solutions-oriented organizational culture.
Compensation and Benefits
This is an exempt, full-time executive position reporting directly to the Board of Commissioners. The annual
salary range is $125,000 to $150,000, commensurate with experience, qualifications and demonstrated executive
leadership accomplishments. In addition to base salary, PHA offers a comprehensive benefits package with an
estimated annual employer value of $50,000, in accordance with Authority policy.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, current resume and three professional references
demonstrating relevant qualifications and executive leadership experience. The cover letter should briefly
address the candidate's record in organizational leadership, HUD-regulated housing, redevelopment or
preservation, fiscal management and grants, partnerships or alternative resource generation. Materials
should be submitted to:
Dr. Felicia A. Watson
Chairperson, Personnel Committee
Poughkeepsie Housing Authority
fwatson@poughkeepsiehousingauthority.org
Applications received by September 30, 2026 will receive first consideration. Applications will be
reviewed as received and interviews may begin prior to that date as qualified candidates are identified. The
position will remain open until filled.
Finalists may be required to complete employment verification, educational credential verification,
background review and any post-offer examinations or requirements authorized by law or Authority policy.
The Poughkeepsie Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse,
equitable and inclusive workplace. The Authority reserves the right to extend the first consideration date,
reopen the recruitment process or make no appointment if it determines such action to be in its best
interest