Senior Manager, Homeownership Programs

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Manager, Homeownership Programs leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Habitat Chicago’s homeownership programs, supporting both prospective and current homeowners in achieving and sustaining successful homeownership. This position identifies and ensures homebuyer and home repair programs meet attendance and participation goals, while ensuring a quality experience for participants.

Reporting to the Director of Neighborhood Initiatives, this position implements and manages program strategy, education, operations, partnerships, participant experience, and evaluation. The role supervises the Homeownership Support Specialist and works closely with Housing Development and Construction, Neighborhood Engagement, Volunteers, Operations, and external partners to ensure programs are coordinated, accessible, and responsive to homeowner needs.

This position is ideal for a strategic, organized, and people-centered program leader with experience in program management, project coordination, and building coalitions with an interest or prior experience in affordable housing, homeownership, housing counseling, and/or related fields.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Key Responsibility: Homeownership Program Strategy and Planning (25%)

The Senior Manager leads the planning and ongoing development of Habitat Chicago’s homeownership programs, translating organizational and neighborhood priorities into effective programs, policies, and participant experiences. The Manager identifies buyer pipelines and program participants and recognizes opportunities to improve access to homeownership, strengthen homeowner outcomes, and respond to changing housing needs and conditions.

Key Responsibility: Homeownership Education, Partnerships, and Outreach (30%)

The Senior Manager leads the delivery and continuous improvement of Habitat Chicago’s homeownership education programs, including Homebuyer University, education provided through the Affordable Homeownership Program (AHP), and emerging homeowner education initiatives such as HOA education and post-purchase programming. The Senior Manager is responsible for ensuring that educational content, instructors, and delivery methods effectively prepare prospective and current homeowners for successful and sustainable homeownership. This includes evaluating participant needs, identifying opportunities to strengthen program offerings, and regularly assessing and improving existing educational programs.

The Senior Manager is also responsible for developing and implementing outreach and participant recruitment strategies to ensure a strong pipeline of qualified homebuyer and homeowner program participants. The Senior Manager works collaboratively with Neighborhood Engagement, Housing Development and Construction, community partners, lenders, and housing organizations to increase awareness of Habitat Chicago's programs, connect prospective participants to resources, and reduce barriers to participation. Through these partnerships and outreach efforts, the Manager expands access to homeownership opportunities and strengthens engagement with current and future homeowners.

Key Responsibility: Program Operations and Participant Experience (20%)

The Senior Manager provides oversight of program operations and ensures consistent, high-quality service to prospective and current homeowners. The Senior Manager establishes effective processes and standards, ensures program requirements are met, and works across departments to coordinate the homeowner experience. This includes oversight of programs supporting existing homeowners and homeowner repair initiatives, including coordination with Housing Development and Construction for assessment and construction activity.

Key Responsibility: Program Evaluation, Systems, and Resource Management (15%)

The Senior Manager establishes and monitors program goals, measures, and outcomes and uses data and participant feedback to inform program improvements. The Senior Manager maintains effective program systems, procedures, and documentation and works with the Director and Operations to manage budgets, resources, compliance, and program risks.

Key Responsibility: Team Leadership and Development (10%)

The Senior Manager supervises, supports, and develops their direct reports, establishing clear expectations, priorities, and accountability. The Senior Manager provides direction on participant support, education, and program operations while ensuring their team has the tools and information needed to effectively support prospective and current homeowners. The Senior Manager fosters a collaborative and participant-centered approach and works with the Director and peer managers to ensure alignment across programs and departments.

Organizational Expectation: Leadership and Teamwork

As a member of the Habitat Chicago team, the Senior Manager contributes to a collaborative, values-driven organizational culture. They maintain a team-first mindset, support colleagues across departments, and participate in organization-wide events and initiatives as needed. The role requires consistent engagement with residents, volunteers, community partners, donors, and officials, and represents Habitat Chicago with professionalism, respect, and a strong commitment to the organization’s mission.

Organizational Expectation: Professional growth and skill development:

The Senior Manager embraces opportunities for continual growth and adapts to evolving business needs. They demonstrate flexibility, curiosity, and a willingness to take on new challenges and tasks by contributing to special projects and initiatives as needed.

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties nor required skills. Employees may occasionally perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities to meet the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Experience managing housing, homeownership, housing counseling, community development, or related programs, with demonstrated ability to lead programs from planning through implementation and evaluation.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with program participants, community partners, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain attention to detail.
• Ability to develop and improve program processes, policies, and systems and use data to inform decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, coach, and develop staff.
• Commitment to equitable, participant-centered service and the ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
• Computer competence, including Microsoft Office and database or CRM systems; Salesforce experience is a plus.
• Ability and willingness to secure and maintain Mortgage Loan Originator status as required by Habitat for Humanity International or the State of Illinois, if applicable.

We’d love it if you had these qualifications, but they’re not dealbreakers.

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Experience with affordable mortgage lending, underwriting, housing counseling, or homebuyer education.
• Familiarity with Chicago’s housing landscape and community development organizations.
• Experience with Monday.com or similar program management systems.
• Experience developing adult education programs or curriculum.
• Experience working with community-based organizations, lenders, or other housing partners.
• Understanding the connection between homeownership, housing stability, wealth building, and neighborhood health.
• Familiarity with the Habitat for Humanity mission and operations
• Bachelor’s degree in business, social work, housing, community development, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Five or more years of relevant professional experience in affordable housing, homeownership, housing counseling, community development, or related field.
• At least two years of experience supervising or managing staff, programs, or significant projects preferred.

Even if you don’t meet all the qualifications listed, we encourage you to apply if this is a role that gets you excited. Let us know what you bring to the table that we may be overlooking.

POSITION DETAILS

Reports To: Director of Neighborhood Initiatives

Hours: Full-time; 8:30am-4:30pm plus regular evening and weekend meetings as required.

Environment: The Habitat Chicago office is located at 111 W Jackson Blvd in Chicago. It is accessible by car and public transit. This position will have a desk, laptop computer, and phone line in an open office environment.

Conditions: Must be able to lift 25 pounds and work at a computer for long periods of time.

FLSA Status: This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It does not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Onboarding: The position will begin with an onboarding period to become familiar with the organization’s work and policies; they will be trained on the specifics of the role through a combination of in-person, online and written trainings and will be expected to take the initiative to review materials as needed and seek understanding of new developments in order to perform their responsibilities.

HOW TO APPLY:

By email: Please submit compelling cover letter and resume to careers@habitatchicago.org with “Senior Manager Homeownership Programs – Your Name” in the subject line by 10/16/2026. Successful applicants will be contacted for interviews.

Online: Visit https://habitatchicago.jobs.flair.hr/ to complete an application.

MISSION | What We Do:

Habitat for Humanity Chicago (“Habitat Chicago”) is a nonprofit organization that brings people together to build homes, community, and hope. We champion healthy neighborhoods by investing in resident priorities, supporting homeownership and building quality homes. We believe in a world where everyone has a decent place to live, and we invite people of all backgrounds, races and religions to work towards this vision together in our three focus neighborhoods of West Pullman, Greater Grand Crossing, and Austin.

CORE VALUES | Who We Are:

• Mission Driven: Mission first. We center neighborhood priorities in our relationships, decisions, and actions to advance our shared goals of affordable homeownership and neighborhood health.
• Collaboration: We are stronger together. We encourage, welcome, and integrate varied perspectives with intention.
• Adaptability: We listen and adjust. We are curious about and responsive to change, and innovative in our solutions.
• Trust: We do what we say we will do. We engage in relationships honestly and with integrity, holding ourselves accountable for our decisions and actions as a reliable partner/presence.
• Respect: We listen to foster understanding. We recognize the inherent worth and value of every individual and honor the various gifts, talents, and perspectives each person brings.
• Equity: We promote access and opportunity. We value diversity, create inclusive spaces, and tailor efforts to prioritize practices and resources that meet unique needs, disrupting the harm of racism and other systems of oppression.

Habitat for Humanity Chicago values a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

Habitat for Humanity Chicago is an equal opportunity employer. This organization does not discriminate in employment and personnel practices based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability status, religion, national origin or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

30+ vacation/sick/personal days per year. 90% employer paid health insurance; access to dental, vision, life and 401k plans.