Director of Compliance

Build and Lead ARTISAN's Affordable Housing Compliance Program

ARTISAN is seeking an experienced Director of Compliance to lead the development of a best-in-class affordable housing compliance program across our growing Midwest portfolio. This is a unique opportunity to build an entire department from the ground up, establish the compliance strategy, develop policies and procedures, and recruit and lead your own team of compliance professionals.

Reporting directly to the President and ownership, this position will serve as the face of ARTISAN's compliance program, working closely with regulatory agencies, investors, and ownership partners. We are looking for a strategic leader who is excited to take ownership, build scalable processes, and shape the future of affordable housing compliance as ARTISAN continues to grow.

Summary of Position

The Director of Compliance is responsible for the strategic leadership, oversight, and administration of affordable housing compliance across ARTISAN's owned and third party portfolio of approximately 1500+ affordable housing units. This position ensures organizational adherence to all applicable federal, state, and local housing regulations, with a primary focus on Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and other affordable housing programs.

The Director of Compliance establishes and maintains company-wide compliance standards, policies, procedures, and internal controls to protect program eligibility, minimize regulatory risk, and ensure consistent compliance practices across the organization. This position is responsible for developing the department's organizational structure, recruiting and leading compliance professionals, ensuring regulatory adherence, managing audit readiness, and minimizing organizational risk.

The Director of Compliance serves as ARTISAN's primary compliance authority and organizational representative with regulatory agencies, investors, and ownership partners. Working closely with executive leadership, Property Operations, and Asset Management, this position develops scalable compliance strategies that support ARTISAN's continued portfolio growth while establishing a best-in-class affordable housing compliance program.

Principal Accountabilities 

• Design, develop, and lead ARTISAN's affordable housing compliance program from the ground up, establishing the infrastructure, policies, procedures, and internal controls necessary to support a growing portfolio.

• Direct all affordable housing compliance functions across ARTISAN's portfolio of approximately 1,500 units, ensuring adherence to applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), HUD, Rural Development (RD), HOME, Housing Trust Fund, and other state and local affordable housing programs.

• Establish the Compliance Department's organizational structure, staffing plans, roles, and responsibilities, recruiting and developing a team to support continued portfolio growth.

• Develop and implement standardized compliance policies, procedures, operating practices, certification processes, and documentation requirements across all communities.

• Conduct an initial assessment of existing compliance practices, identify regulatory risks and operational gaps, and establish a strategic implementation plan with measurable milestones.

• Serve as ARTISAN's primary subject matter expert for affordable housing regulations, regulatory interpretations, and complex compliance matters.

• Oversee resident eligibility, income certifications, recertifications, rent restrictions, utility allowances, and other program-specific compliance requirements.

• Ensure compliance with HUD Handbook 4350.3, EIV, TRACS, LIHTC Section 42 requirements, and applicable state housing finance agency regulations.

• Develop and oversee internal compliance audit programs, including resident file reviews, certification audits, electronic record accuracy, property assessments, and corrective action plans.

• Lead preparation for HUD Management and Occupancy Reviews (MORs), state agency inspections, investor audits, and regulatory monitoring, ensuring timely resolution of findings.

• Establish departmental goals, performance metrics, reporting standards, and accountability measures, providing executive leadership with regular updates on compliance performance and regulatory risks.

• Oversee accurate and timely submission of required HUD, LIHTC, investor, and state housing finance agency reporting.

• Serve as the primary organizational contact for HUD representatives, state housing finance agencies, contract administrators, syndicators, investors, and other regulatory partners.

• Monitor changes in affordable housing regulations and proactively update company policies, procedures, and operational practices to maintain compliance.

• Develop and implement comprehensive compliance training programs, onboarding resources, and ongoing education for property operations and compliance personnel.

• Lead compliance due diligence and onboarding for new acquisitions, property takeovers, lease-ups, and program conversions, identifying inherited risks and establishing consistent transition procedures.

• Evaluate, select, implement, and optimize compliance systems, reporting tools, and workflows to improve accuracy, efficiency, and consistency across the portfolio.

• Develop and manage the Compliance Department's budget, staffing resources, technology investments, and external compliance partnerships.

• Collaborate with Operations, Asset Management, Accounting, and executive leadership to integrate compliance requirements into organizational decisions, financial planning, and property operations.

• Develop scalable compliance strategies and long-term departmental plans to support ARTISAN's continued expansion across multiple states and affordable housing programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, housing management, public administration, or  related field preferred; equivalent extensive affordable housing compliance experience considered.

• Minimum of 5-8 years of compliance management experience in property management and affordable housing, including significant experience with LIHTC and HUD programs.

• 5+ years of experience managing employees.

• Expert knowledge of HUD, LIHTC, HOME, RD and Fair Housing regulations.

• Advanced knowledge of LIHTC regulations, Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code, income and rent restrictions, applicable fractions, utility allowances, and extended-use requirements.

• Advanced working knowledge of HUD multifamily housing programs, including HUD Handbook 4350.3, EIV, TRACS, tenant certification requirements, and Management and Occupancy Reviews.

• Experience with layered affordable housing programs and properties subject to multiple regulatory agreements strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated experience leading regulatory audits, responding to agency findings, implementing corrective action plans, and managing compliance risk.

• Experience working directly with state housing finance agencies, HUD representatives, contract administrators, syndicators, investors, and ownership groups.

• Affordable housing compliance certifications such as Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS), Specialist in Housing Credit Management (SHCM), or equivalent preferred.

• Proven ability to develop compliance policies, internal controls, standardized procedures, and training programs across a multi-property organization.

• Strong leadership, decision-making, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex regulatory requirements.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Who We Are 

ARTISAN is a growing multifamily investment and property management company focused on creating communities where people are proud to live and work. We own and operate apartment communities across the Midwest and are known for our strong operational standards, collaborative culture, and people-first mindset.

We’re a team of driven, approachable professionals who move quickly, communicate openly, and support one another. We take our work seriously, but we believe work should still be enjoyable. At ARTISAN, you’ll find a culture that values accountability and results, encourages learning and growth, and appreciates a good laugh along the way.

We move fast and keep things organized, adaptable, and steady. We trust our people, give them room to take ownership, and believe the best ideas can come from anywhere. If you enjoy working with smart, supportive teammates in a role where your contributions truly matter, you’ll feel right at home at ARTISAN.

Core Values in Action

At ARTISAN, our leaders are guided by five Core Values that define how we operate responsibly, support teams, and protect our communities. 

• Empowerment: You develop a knowledgeable and accountable Compliance Department by providing clear expectations, technical guidance, training, and resources that enable teams to execute regulatory requirements with confidence.

• Integrity: You lead with transparency, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring regulatory obligations are upheld, compliance concerns are addressed appropriately, and organizational decisions reflect the highest ethical standards.