Leasing & Compliance Manager

The Opportunity

BCNi is a small, mission-driven nonprofit housing organization based in Schenectady, NY — and our real estate portfolio is growing fast. Currently, we own and manage 17 occupied units across 8 scattered-site properties in the City of Schenectady, with another 11 units coming online this summer. We assist in the leasing and management of 26 units in an active LIHTC development, hold a third-party management contract on an additional 5 units, and are working to close on a 40-unit LIHTC acquisition by fall. By the end of 2026, we expect to be managing close to 100 units with compliance requirements across a range of affordable housing programs — HOME, HOME-ARP, LIHTC, ESSHI, HCR’s SRDI, and Section 8 — all within the City of Schenectady.

To support that growth, we have structured our property management function into two focused roles. The Leasing & Compliance Manager owns the tenant-facing side of the operation: leasing, occupancy, rent collection, regulatory compliance, and the reporting and documentation that keeps BCNi in good standing with its funders and regulators. This role works as a peer to our Property Operations Manager, who owns the physical asset and maintenance side, and both report directly to the CEO.

This is not an entry-level compliance position. The programs are live, the lease-up calendar is active, and the compliance obligations are real and layered. What we are looking for is someone who knows this work well, brings genuine commitment to affordable housing as a public good, and is ready to help build something that will grow significantly over the next 12 months, and beyond.

About BCNi

Better Community Neighborhoods, Inc. (BCNi) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered at 816 Union Street in Schenectady, NY. We serve low- and moderate-income homeowners and renters across Schenectady and Montgomery Counties through housing counseling, down payment assistance, foreclosure prevention, and rehabilitation support. Our rental housing portfolio spans multiple affordable housing programs and ownership structures, and we administer more than $25 million in state and federal housing programs annually.

We are a small team that operates without unnecessary layers. When something needs to happen, the people here make it happen. We take the mission seriously, support each other’s work, and have real room for the right people to grow with us.

What You Will Own

Leasing & Occupancy

• Conduct unit showings for prospective tenants; guide applicants through the full process from first contact and application through income qualification, screening, and lease signing
• Lead lease-up for the 11-unit HOME-ARP development coming online this summer — from marketing through move-in — in full compliance with program requirements
• Maintain and regularly update Tenant Selection Plans for all properties; ensure TSPs reflect current program requirements and are implemented consistently
• Maintain occupancy targets across all properties; manage waitlists and coordinate timely unit fills
• Conduct move-in and move-out inspections; document unit condition and manage security deposit administration
• Coordinate unit turn-readiness and other maintenance needs with the Property Operations Manager to minimize vacancy between tenancies

Rent Collection & Financial Administration

• Oversee all rent billing, collection, and ledger accuracy across the portfolio in Buildium
• Coordinate and facilitate Section 8 HCV and DSS subsidy payments, where applicable: HAP contract management, subsidy reconciliation, and coordination with the Housing Authority, DSS, SCAP, and other subsidy providers
• Manage delinquency: pursue collections, issue required notices, and coordinate with legal counsel on eviction proceedings when necessary
• Coordinate utility allowance updates and ensure rent schedules remain compliant with all applicable program requirements

Regulatory Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure full and current compliance across all active programs in the portfolio: HOME, HOME-ARP, LIHTC, ESSHI, HCR’s SRDI, Section 8, or other programs as applicable, and Fair Housing
• Manage annual and interim recertification cycles across the portfolio: maintain recertification trackers, initiate resident contact 90–120 days prior to lease expiration, collect and verify required documentation, and ensure timely completion for all assigned units
• Maintain all tenant files, income certifications, lease documents, and compliance records with the precision and currency required by each funder and program
• Serve as BCNi’s primary point of contact for all regulatory audits, funder inspections, and compliance reviews
• Prepare and submit all required compliance reports to funders, regulators, and the Board of Directors on schedule
• Maintain compliance calendars and certification tracking systems; flag upcoming deadlines and reporting obligations across all properties and programs
• Coordinate HQS inspection processes; ensure timely remediation documentation in coordination with the Property Operations Manager

Tenant Relations

• Serve as the primary point of contact for tenant inquiries, lease matters, rent questions, and complaints across all properties
• Receive and triage maintenance requests; coordinate with the Property Operations Manager for dispatch and resolution
• Foster a well-managed, respectful residential environment across a scattered-site portfolio serving residents who are often navigating genuine economic hardship
• Approach tenant relationships with professionalism, patience, and clear communication — holding lease requirements firm while treating residents with dignity

Lease-Up & Development Support

• Lead all leasing and compliance preparation for the HOME-ARP lease-up this summer, including marketing, income certifications, file setup, and initial reporting
• Establish leasing protocols, compliance systems, and tenant files for new properties prior to occupancy as the portfolio continues to grow
• Serve as the internal compliance and leasing lead for the anticipated 40-unit LIHTC acquisition, coordinating with development partners, legal counsel, and funders through closing and lease-up

Systems & Team

• Manage the tenant-facing and compliance functions within Buildium; build on existing systems and document processes not yet formalized
• Author and maintain the leasing and compliance sections of BCNi’s Property Management Policy & Procedure Manual
• Work in close coordination with the Property Operations Manager as a peer, ensuring seamless handoffs and shared accountability for portfolio performance
• Build and supervise leasing and compliance support staff as portfolio growth warrants

Who You Are

You have real, hands-on experience in affordable housing compliance — not a passing familiarity, but a working knowledge of what it actually takes to move a tenant file through certification, manage recertification cycles across multiple programs and properties simultaneously, survive a funder audit, and keep a multi-program portfolio in good standing. You know HOME and LIHTC from the inside, and you’re either familiar with ESSHI and Section 8 administration or you pick up new program requirements quickly and thoroughly.

You are organized in a way that holds up under pressure. The compliance calendar for this portfolio is real and layered — multiple programs, multiple properties, multiple reporting cycles running at once. You manage that complexity without dropping threads, and you do it in a small-team environment where initiative is expected and support is collaborative rather than hierarchical.

The tenant side of this work matters to you. The residents in BCNi’s properties are low- and moderate-income households who often carry financial and personal pressures that show up at the door. You bring patience and professionalism to those interactions — you can enforce a lease requirement and treat someone with humanity in the same conversation. You understand that the compliance framework and the people it protects are two sides of the same coin.

You are coming into a role with a solid foundation and real work already in motion. Some files are mid-stream. Some systems are still being built. You see that as an opportunity, not a gap — a chance to put your expertise to work and help shape how this function operates as the portfolio doubles.

Specific qualifications we’re looking for:

• 3–5+ years of hands-on experience in affordable housing leasing, compliance, or property management
• Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) designation or equivalent affordable housing compliance certification — HOME, LIHTC, BOS, or comparable — required; candidates actively and verifiably on a path to certification will be considered
• Working knowledge of affordable housing compliance programs: HOME, HOME-ARP, LIHTC, ESSHI, Fair Housing, and Section 8/HCV administration
• Experience with Tenant Selection Plan development and management
• Experience with HCR-funded programs (SRDI or similar) a plus
• NYS Real Estate Broker License, or a salesperson license with a clear and near-term path to broker licensure
• Proficiency with Buildium or comparable property management and compliance software
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple compliance deadlines and program requirements simultaneously
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across a range of audiences: tenants, funders, regulators, and colleagues
• Commitment to affordable housing as a public good and genuine respect for the residents it serves
• Bilingual English/Spanish helpful but not required

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range $62,000–$68,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits include health, dental, and life insurance; paid time off; 401(k) retirement plan; and organizational support for ongoing professional development, certifications, and training.

How to Apply

Submit a cover letter and resume to info@bcnihousing.org with the subject line: Leasing & Compliance

Manager. In your cover letter, describe your experience with affordable housing compliance programs and tell us what draws you to this kind of work. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; we are actively interviewing now. BCNi is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Benefits include health, dental, and life insurance; paid time off; 401(k) retirement plan; and organizational support for ongoing professional development, certifications, and training.