Director of Community, Neighborhood & Housing Services

The Position: The Director provides strategic direction and oversight for the department, ensuring high-quality service delivery across the four divisions. Directly manages division managers and is responsible for leadership development, performance management, and operational accountability. Maintains oversight of the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program as an entitlement city, including full program planning, implementation, regulatory compliance, reporting, and coordination with HUD. Oversees code compliance and Neighborhood Services operations, including property maintenance inspections, enforcement actions, and initiatives aimed at stabilizing 'naturally occurring affordable housing' (NOAH). Works collaboratively with staff to develop strategies and partnerships that expand affordable housing opportunities, support reinvestment in aging multifamily properties, address deferred maintenance challenges, and protect low- and moderate-income residents. Ensures alignment of departmental programs with City goals and Council priorities. Prepares and administers budgets, contracts, and grants. Represents the department in meetings with community stakeholders, regional partners, County agencies, and other governmental entities. Priorities: Evaluate critical operations of Community, Neighborhood, and Housing Services Department. Establish familiarity with recently updated Chapter 13 of the City of Gaithersburg's Municipal Code (Landlord-Tenant Relations) and related ordinances. Oversee establishment and launch of a new, city-managed alternative to the Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities. Ensure compliance for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award with HUD timeliness, reporting, and other program requirements. Assess property conditions at Wells/Robertson House and DeSellum House. Shepherd amendments and updates to the City's Affordable Housing regulations through the legislative approval processes. Work closely with Community Services staff on evaluating recently implemented processes for Community Service, Youth Enrichment, and Parent Resource Center grants. Advocate for greater resources from Montgomery County for homeless support services and rental assistance funding. Develop and maintain positive relationships with the City Manager, Department and other City staff, the Mayor and City Council, and other related boards, committees, and commissions.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in public administration, urban planning, housing and community development, or related field; master's degree (MPA, MPP, MSW, or related) preferred. Significant and progressively responsible experience within a local or county government including supervisory experience at the division or department director level. Full program oversight experience of a CDBG entitlement city program (including management of CDBG-funded activities) required Experience overseeing multiple functional areas such as housing, neighborhood services, code enforcement, community services, and/or homeless services. Experience developing and implementing strategies to stabilize older multifamily housing through code enforcement, reinvestment, or related programs.

Preferred Experience: Experience leading interdisciplinary teams in a hands-on municipal government environment. Experience with multifamily housing preservation, NOAH stabilization strategies, or property maintenance prevention programs. Experience working in organizations with smaller or mid-sized teams where leaders directly support operations. Certifications or Licenses: Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of Maryland (preferred). Certifications such as HCD-related credentials, code enforcement certification, or HUD program management training are desirable. The Successful Candidate: The ideal candidate for this position is an accomplished and innovative leader who has experience as a division or department manager overseeing multiple relevant functional areas in a local or county government setting. Experience managing all aspects of an entire CDBG program within an entitlement city (including management of CDBG-funded activities) is required; and experience developing and implementing strategies for stabilizing and enhancing older, multifamily properties is highly desired. The individual must be detail-oriented, an exceptional communicator and listener, and a strategic thinker who can translate strategies into actionable objectives, while also possessing the practical expertise to ensure accountability, high-quality service delivery, and operational effectiveness. With a solid understanding of local government administration and operations, the ideal candidate will bring both a visionary mindset and a hands-on management style. They are committed to cultivating a positive departmental culture, developing their team through mentorship and coaching, and managing performance in a constructive, accountability-oriented manner. They will have a strong ability to foster interdepartmental collaboration while also cultivating and strengthening relationships with community members, non-profit, government, and other regional partners.

Compensation: The anticipated hiring range is $170,00 to $190,000, depending on qualifications, with an excellent benefits package. For more information about the position, contact Assistant City Manager Tom Lonergan-Seeger at 240.805.1093 or Tom. Lonergan-Seeger@gaithersburgmd.gov. Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at 301.258.6327 or hr@gaithersburgmd.gov. For demographic and other information about the City of Gaithersburg, please click here. Department Directors are in the unclassified service and not included within the City's merit system. The successful candidate will be subject to a background investigation. Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees. The City has established an alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free workplace which applies to any person employed by, conducting business with, or applying for a position with the City. Each employee, as a condition of their employment, may be required to participate in pre-employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Employees classified as safety sensitive are also subject to immediate post-accident and random testing.