Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

About SDHC

The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) is an award-winning public housing agency in the City of San Diego that provides innovative housing assistance programs for households with low income or experiencing homelessness. The San Diego City Council, in its role as the Housing Authority of the City of San Diego, oversees SDHC. SDHC helps pay rent for approximately 17,000 households with low income annually; is a leader in collaborative efforts to address homelessness, such as the Community Action Plan on Homelessness for the City of San Diego; and creates and preserves affordable rental housing, with more than 27,000 affordable units in service in the City today with SDHC’s participation, of which SDHC owns or manages more than 4,300 affordable rental housing units.

About the Department

The Financial Services Department is responsible for SDHC’s agency-wide financial planning, operations, reporting, internal controls, and risk management. Its work includes accounting, payroll, budgeting, auditing and compliance, cash and investment management, financial analysis and forecasting, insurance, and administration.

The department consists of 29 staff members, including 14 managers, with six direct reports to the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. It plays an essential role in supporting SDHC’s programs, operations, and long-term financial stability.

About the Position

SDHC seeks a Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (SVP/CFO) to lead the agency’s financial strategy and operations. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and serving as a member of the executive leadership team, the SVP/CFO will advise the CEO, COO, and fellow executive leaders on SDHC’s financial priorities and long-term fiscal stability.

The SVP/CFO will oversee the administration of SDHC’s $694 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget and development of SDHC budgets for future years. The SVP/CFO will also oversee the Financial Services Department and the financial activities of SDHC’s nonprofit affiliates: Housing Development Partners (HDP), which develops and preserves affordable housing through rehabilitation and new construction, and SDHC Building Opportunities Inc. (SDHC BOI), which supports programs that provide opportunities to improve the quality of life for low- and moderate-income families in the City or County of San Diego. This executive will provide leadership across budgeting, accounting, financial reporting and forecasting, investments, audits, compliance, and risk management.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and oversight of the Financial Services Department and the financial activities of HDP and SDHC BOI.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, COO, and Executive Team on financial strategy, organizational priorities, and long-term fiscal stability. Lead the development, administration, forecasting, and monitoring of SDHC’s annual budget.
• Oversee and manage accounting, payroll, financial reporting, cash management, and internal controls.
• Direct SDHC’s annual audits; ensure compliance with grant requirements, federal, state, and local funding regulations, payroll and pension obligations; and oversee the implementation of audit recommendations.
• Manage SDHC’s investment portfolio and ensure sufficient cash is available to meet the agency’s obligations
• Identify and address financial, operational, strategic, and compliance risks.
• Oversee SDHC’s insurance programs, including property, cyber, workers’ compensation, and directors’ and officers’ coverage.
• Review and authorize financial requests, deal terms, and financial reporting presented in SDHC Board reports.
• Lead and develop the Financial Services team while strengthening policies, systems, service delivery, and ongoing regulatory compliance. Represent Financial Services and present complex financial information to the SDHC Board of Commissioners, Housing Authority, committees, elected officials, and stakeholders

Ideal Candidate

SDHC seeks a progressive, seasoned financial executive who is passionate about public service and combines big-picture thinking with hands-on operational leadership. The ideal candidate will understand the complexity of managing public funds in a highly regulated environment and bring a clear commitment to financial integrity, transparency, accountability, and long-term fiscal stability.

The successful candidate will be self-directed, adaptable, and comfortable working in a dynamic, high-performing organization. This individual will build credibility and earn the confidence of the CEO, COO, Executive Team, SDHC Board of Commissioners, Housing Authority of the City of San Diego, staff, and external stakeholders. Exceptional interpersonal, communication, analytical, and critical-thinking skills, along with emotional intelligence and sound judgment, will be essential.

The SVP/CFO will also be an effective people leader who sets clear expectations, develops staff, and creates an environment of collaboration and accountability. This role calls for someone who can anticipate risk, make sound decisions, communicate complex financial information clearly, and move comfortably between long-term strategy and the day-to-day leadership of a complex financial operation. Experience with federal housing funds, affordable housing programs or development, and an active CPA license will be especially valued.

Minimum Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public administration, business administration, finance, accounting, or a closely related field
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in financial services program administration
• At least seven (7 years) a management or supervisory capacity

Desirable Qualifications

Housing Experience: While housing-related experience is highly desirable, applicants with experience managing federal and/or state funding for highly regulated programs are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Experience in affordable housing programs, affordable housing development, or housing-related finance
• Experience managing federal housing funds and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, such as Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Public Housing, Project-Based Vouchers, and Moving to Work
• Financial leadership experience in government, a public agency, a quasi-public organization, or a similarly complex environment
• Knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements and public agency accounting practices
• Experience overseeing complex budgets, audits, investments, internal controls, and risk management
• Experience presenting financial information to boards, elected officials, committees, and other public stakeholders

Licenses & Certifications

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by the time of appointment
• Possession of an active license as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is highly desirable

Compensation and Benefits

SDHC offers a competitive executive compensation package, including a comprehensive benefits program designed to support employees’ health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. This position currently offers a hybrid work schedule for all staff, with senior leaders, including this position, expected to work in the office more frequently as needed.

Benefits Include:

• 9/80 compressed work schedule (office closed every other Friday)
• 15 paid holidays, including three floating holidays
• Employer-paid pension contribution of 14% of base salary; SDHC’s pension is a defined contribution plan, not a traditional defined benefit plan.
• 457 tax-deferred savings plan
• Social Security exempt status
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,000 annually
• Medical coverage options (Sharp PPO/HMO and Kaiser Permanente HMO)
• Dental and vision coverage
• Flexible spending account (FSA)
• Health and wellness programs
• Employee rewards and recognition program

For additional details, please visit:
https://www.sdhc.org/sdhc-employee-benefits/

Contact Information

For additional information or questions, please contact: Amanda Kreller, Director, Executive Search, akreller@berkeleysearch.com

For first consideration, please submit your application byOctober 19, 2026

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed based on relevant experience and qualifications. Additional screening may be used as needed. Only applicants whose backgrounds most closely align with SDHC’s needs will be invited to continue. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement.