Director of Compliance

Organization Background

Aeon is a nonprofit developer, owner, and manager of affordable communities in the Twin Cities. For 40 years, we have been at the forefront of creating housing that goes beyond shelter. Our housing serves as a platform for resilience, opportunity, and lasting impact. With a portfolio of almost 5,000 apartment homes, Aeon provides stability for thousands of residents each year.

We focus on bold, forward-thinking solutions that address the need for affordable housing. Through innovation, collaboration, and an unyielding commitment to community, we help create opportunities for residents to build stronger, more sustainable futures.

Join a mission-driven team that is shaping the future of affordable housing and making a lasting impact. Learn more at www.aeon.org .

Position Summary

Aeon is seeking an experienced affordable housing compliance leader to serve as our Director of Compliance. This position provides organization-wide leadership for affordable housing compliance across Aeon's diverse portfolio and plays an essential role in protecting the affordability of our homes, supporting housing stability, and ensuring Aeon meets the commitments made to residents, funders, investors, and regulatory partners.

The Director of Compliance leads Aeon's Compliance team and is responsible for developing consistent, practical, and effective approaches to compliance across properties with a variety of affordable housing programs and layered funding requirements. This includes Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC/Section 42), HUD and project-based rental assistance programs, HOME, Section 202/811, and other federal, state, and locally funded housing programs.

This role requires more than technical expertise. The Director will translate complex regulatory requirements into clear processes that property teams can successfully implement; identify and address portfolio-wide compliance risks; strengthen systems, training, and internal controls; and help ensure qualified households can access and remain in affordable housing.

As a senior operational partner, the Director works closely with Property Operations, Asset Management, Housing Development, Resident Connections, IT, Human Resources, and other teams to integrate compliance into Aeon's broader work. The Director also represents Aeon with regulatory agencies, investors, syndicators, monitoring agencies, and other external partners.

This position reports to Aeon's Executive Vice President of Operations.

Essential functions include, but are not limited to:

Affordable Housing Compliance Leadership

- Provide strategic and operational leadership for affordable housing compliance across Aeon's portfolio, ensuring properties meet applicable federal, state, local, investor, lender, and funding requirements.

- Serve as Aeon's primary internal subject matter expert on LIHTC/Section 42, HUD and project-based assistance programs, HOME, Section 202/811, and other affordable housing programs represented within Aeon's portfolio.

- Establish clear, consistent standards for eligibility, income and asset verification, certifications and recertifications, rent and income limits, student eligibility, utility allowances, file documentation, and other program requirements.

- Interpret and apply regulatory and funding agreements, program requirements, and agency guidance, translating complex requirements into practical policies and procedures for Aeon teams.

- Monitor changes in affordable housing regulations and agency guidance, assess their impact on Aeon, and lead implementation of necessary operational changes.

- Advise senior leaders and operational teams on complex compliance matters, regulatory risk, and appropriate courses of action.

- Support the compliance needs of new acquisitions, developments, rehabilitations, lease-ups, program transitions, and properties with layered affordability requirements.

Compliance Operations & Portfolio Performance

- Lead consistent compliance practices across Aeon properties while recognizing the unique regulatory requirements of individual properties and programs.

- Establish and monitor processes for certifications and recertifications, file reviews, move-ins, required agency and program reporting, and other compliance activities, ensuring requirements and deadlines are consistently met.

- Partner closely with Property Operations to identify and resolve compliance barriers affecting occupancy, leasing, recertifications, and resident housing stability.

- Monitor portfolio-level compliance performance and use data to identify trends, recurring issues, training needs, and opportunities for improvement.

- Develop internal controls and quality assurance processes that identify concerns early and reduce repeat findings.

- Lead portfolio-wide compliance reviews and targeted audits to evaluate adherence to program requirements and Aeon standards.

- Ensure compliance documentation and records are accurate, complete, organized, and maintained in accordance with applicable retention requirements.

Audits, Monitoring & Regulatory Relationships

- Serve as a primary Aeon contact for compliance monitoring reviews, investor and syndicator reviews, agency inspections, file audits, and other regulatory inquiries.

- Coordinate organizational preparation for audits and monitoring reviews, including documentation, file readiness, staff preparation, and communication with external partners.

- Lead responses to compliance findings and ensure corrective action plans are appropriate, timely, and fully implemented.

- Identify patterns within audit findings and translate them into portfolio-wide improvements rather than addressing findings only at the individual property level.

- Build productive relationships with regulatory agencies, investors, syndicators, funders, and other affordable housing partners.

- Maintain awareness of emerging regulatory expectations and affordable housing compliance practices that may affect Aeon's portfolio.

Fair Housing & Accessibility

- Provide organizational leadership and guidance related to Fair Housing, Section 504, accessibility, reasonable accommodations, and related nondiscrimination requirements.

- Serve as Aeon's Section 504 Coordinator, partnering with organizational leaders to promote consistent practices and equitable access to Aeon housing.

- Develop and maintain policies, procedures, training, and resources; provide guidance on complex matters and coordinate with legal counsel or other external resources when appropriate.

Team Leadership, Training & Partnership

- Lead, develop, and support Aeon's Compliance team, establishing clear expectations, accountability, priorities, and opportunities for professional growth.

- Partner with Talent Acquisition to recruit, select, and build strong Compliance teams with the technical expertise and capabilities needed to support Aeon's portfolio.

- Build strong partnerships with Property Operations and site teams, positioning Compliance as both a source of technical expertise and a practical operational partner.

- Partner across Property Operations, Asset Management, Housing Development, Resident Connections, IT, Human Resources, and other departments to integrate compliance requirements into effective organizational processes.

- Develop and deliver compliance training, tools, and resources that translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, practical guidance employees can consistently apply in their work.

- Adapt training and communication to audiences with varying levels of affordable housing compliance knowledge and experience.

- Foster an environment where employees seek guidance and raise potential compliance concerns early, allowing issues to be addressed proactively.

Systems, Data & Continuous Improvement

- Strengthen the systems, workflows, and technology Aeon uses to manage affordable housing compliance.

- Partner with IT and operational teams to improve the effective use of systems supporting compliance and property operations.

- Establish meaningful compliance metrics and reporting that provide leadership with visibility into portfolio performance, risk, workload, and emerging concerns.

- Identify opportunities to simplify processes, reduce unnecessary administrative burden, improve accuracy, and create greater consistency across the portfolio.

- Evaluate existing practices and challenge processes that are ineffective or no longer meet Aeon's operational, regulatory, or resident needs.

- Maintain strong documentation standards that support organizational knowledge, consistency, and audit readiness.

Skills & Qualifications

We are looking for an experienced affordable housing professional who combines deep technical compliance knowledge with strong leadership, judgment, communication, and operational partnership.

Qualified candidates will bring:

- 7+ years of affordable housing compliance experience, including significant experience with complex, layered affordable housing programs and deep knowledge of LIHTC/Section 42, HUD-assisted housing, HOME, project-based rental assistance, and other federal, state, and local affordable housing programs.

- Demonstrated expertise applying compliance requirements within complex, layered affordable housing properties, including certifications and recertifications, income and asset calculations, rent and income limits, file documentation, regulatory reporting, and compliance monitoring.

- 3+ years of leadership experience with demonstrated success building and developing teams, establishing accountability, and leading work across departments.

- Experience leading regulatory, investor, syndicator, and agency audits, resolving findings, and developing systems and controls that reduce compliance risk and prevent recurring issues.

- Strong knowledge of Fair Housing, Section 504, reasonable accommodations, accessibility, and related nondiscrimination requirements within affordable housing.

- Ability to interpret complex regulations and translate them into practical policies, processes, training, and guidance that staff can consistently apply.

- Demonstrated ability to identify portfolio-wide trends and risks, establish priorities, and balance regulatory requirements with operational needs, resident experience, and Aeon's mission.

- Strong relationship-building, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, advise, and work effectively with staff, residents, regulatory agencies, external partners, and people across organizational levels and functions. Demonstrated ability to communicate in a culturally responsive manner that considers differing needs, perspectives, and expectations.

- Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver effective training for audiences with varying levels of compliance knowledge and experience.

- Experience with affordable housing and property management technology such as Yardi and Fortress OS strongly preferred.

- Affordable housing certifications such as HCCP, COS, C3P, or comparable credentials preferred.

- Commitment to Aeon's mission and to advancing equitable, inclusive practices in our work with residents, employees, and communities.

- Must be a resourceful problem solver with attention to detail and a seeker of excellence who values results, hard work, customer service, and loyalty to Aeon's mission.

- Valid driver's license, reliable vehicle, and current vehicle insurance required.

Physical Requirements

- Ability to remain in stationary position for extended periods while working at a computer and attending meetings.

- Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and printers.

- Ability to move about the office to access files, meeting spaces, and office equipment.

- Ability to reach above and below shoulder height to access file cabinets, storage areas, and office supplies.

- Ability to lift and carry materials up to 15 pounds on an occasional basis, such as meeting materials or event supplies.

- Ability to conduct property tours and inspections, including walking through hallways, stairwells, leasing offices, common areas, and vacant or occupied apartment homes. This may involve navigating multiple floors and uneven surfaces.

- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, in person and through virtual platforms.

- Ability to work in environments with moderate noise levels, including shared office spaces, meetings, and event settings.

The physical requirements described above represent the essential functions of the job and may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Compensation, Hours & Location

This position has a range of pay of $100,000 to $125,000 per year, depending on experience and skillset. Aeon offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, retirement plan, generous paid time off, and an employee assistance program.

This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday, during daytime hours. The typical schedule is 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some flexibility to meet the needs of the role. Adjustments to this schedule may occur as required.

This is a hybrid position based out of Aeon's central office in the North Loop of Minneapolis, with on-site visits to Aeon properties across the Twin Cities as needed. The position requires in-person presence at the central office at least two days per week as designated by Aeon. When working remotely, the Director of Compliance must perform their work from within the state of Minnesota. In addition, the Director of Compliance must be available to travel to Aeon properties for urgent or unplanned matters, as well as for trainings, inspections, audits, and other site-based meetings as needed. These visits may occur on any workday, including days when the Director of Compliance is scheduled to work remotely or at the central office.

Because of these requirements, candidates must currently reside in the Twin Cities metro area or plan to relocate prior to a start date with Aeon, to ensure availability for both planned and unplanned on-site needs.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please visit: https://aeonmn.applicantpro.com/jobs/4217417

Position is open until filled.

Aeon values a diverse work environment. Individuals with disabilities, persons from BIPOC communities, the LGBTQ+ community, and people from underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Aeon is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

Employees and residents are encouraged to apply.

Aeon is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. Applicants may review the EEOC's Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination Is Illegal notice.