Director of Housing

Location: Seattle, WA

Employment Type: Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Full-time

Requisition ID: 2026-00450

About the Employer

The City of Seattle is a forward-looking city that leads by example—inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused. With 12,000 employees across 40+ departments and 1,100 job titles, the city is united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all.

Role Summary

The City of Seattle seeks a dynamic and inspirational leader for the Director of Housing to strategically lead and steward the city's affordable housing initiatives and programs. This cabinet-level position reports to the Mayor, oversees investments from the Seattle Housing Levy—a seven-year, $970 million levy that funds affordable housing for low-income Seattle residents—leads an organization of 69 employees, and manages an annual budget of $348 million that funds operating and capital investments.

The Seattle Office of Housing increases opportunities for people of all incomes to live in the city. The office manages investments from the Seattle Housing Levy and other funding sources to fund the production, preservation, acquisition, and long-term stewardship of affordable housing in Seattle. Additionally, it supports affordable housing providers and low-income residents, provides home repair and weatherization assistance, funds permanently affordable homeownership opportunities, and leads citywide planning and policy development on affordable housing issues.

What You'll Do

Lead the Office of Housing by ensuring operations, investments, and staff support city housing priorities effectively and efficiently, aligning operations and investments with city policy goals, service equity, and regulatory compliance
Proactively, creatively, and collaboratively address affordable housing sector challenges including affordable rental and homeownership housing supply, housing choices for people exiting homelessness, permanent supportive housing resident and provider needs, affordable housing provider stability, and tenant stability in Office of Housing-funded housing
Advance the mayor's housing priorities by working collaboratively with the Mayor's Office and representing these priorities to internal and external stakeholders
Analyze and recalibrate current policy tools including the Mandatory Housing Affordability and Multifamily Tax Exemption Programs and propose data-driven adjustments
Strengthen the outcome orientation of Office of Housing funding and programs by aligning capital and operations funding to regional and local housing need data
Promote racial and social equity by advancing policies and programs that meaningfully address race and social equity, stewarding the Community Self-Determination Fund, supporting place-based development, and analyzing program performance data for equitable outcomes
Steward the city's investment in affordable housing by providing executive leadership and oversight of the Seattle Housing Levy, JumpStart Payroll Expense Tax housing investments, federal funds, and implementation of the Mandatory Housing Affordability and Multifamily Tax Exemption Programs
Engage and develop staff by fostering an inclusive culture where employees feel supported, respected, and empowered to deliver exceptional service and innovate, managing employees within a union environment, and supervising personnel actions such as hiring, grievances, and performance management
Develop valued partners by collaborating with community stakeholders, agency partners, developers, private sector stakeholders, property managers, legislators, policy makers, and funding partners to increase the supply of quality affordable housing
Champion inclusive and accountable governance by centering accountability, transparency, and responsiveness in the direction, management, and oversight of department operations, and leading administrative and operational processes that embed inclusive and accountable governance

Required Qualifications

Senior leadership experience in managing multiple lines of business in the affordable housing sector
Background in delivering affordable housing and working with government, private, and philanthropic funding sources
Experience establishing impactful collaborative partnerships and demonstrating financial, political, and legal expertise
Strong commitment to public service
Recognition as a leader who fosters an inclusive, open, and transparent workplace culture where staff at all levels are meaningfully involved in decision making
Demonstrated ability to use data and evidence to drive clear, timely decisions
Ability to implement strong processes and procedures that lead to lasting positive impacts in the community

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in the Seattle housing market

Compensation

$164,868–$272,087 annually

Benefits

The City offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, and leave benefits. More information is available at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply

Submit a resume and cover letter. Use your cover letter to describe why you want to lead the Office of Housing and what uniquely qualifies you for this role. Interested candidates should apply immediately. The city may close the recruitment at any time once a suitably strong group of candidates has been established.

Questions: Contact Pam Inch at pam.inch@seattle.gov.

Accommodation requests: Contact Pam Inch at Pam.Inch@seattle.gov.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt position that is not covered under the civil service and is classified as an Executive 3.

Job offers are contingent on criminal history review and verification of applicant information. In compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17, applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it's a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in the city. Office of Housing staff value their collaborative, supportive, inclusive, and equitable workplace culture. In a recent staff survey, they highlighted their freedom to be their authentic selves, promotion of race and social justice, focus on public and community benefit, and evidence- and data-informed practices as key office strengths.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or medical condition.

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