Deputy Secretary for Housing

Full Job Description

Are you seeking a transformative position that showcases your extensive executive expertise? The Deputy Secretary for Housing is essential in shaping housing policy, programs, and regulations across the Commonwealth. This role serves as a driving force for meaningful change, focusing on operational excellence for Pennsylvania residents through innovative housing-related economic development initiatives, which include funding, strategic partnerships, and vital support services. As the leading authority on housing in the Commonwealth, the Deputy Secretary works in close collaboration with various agencies, such as the Department of Human Services and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, to optimize available resources. This partnership aims to execute a holistic housing strategy that not only increases and preserves the housing supply but also expands opportunities and stabilizes housing outcomes for all Pennsylvanians. If you are ready to embrace this remarkable opportunity, we invite you to apply today!

Requirements

In this role, you will play a crucial role in coordinating housing policies, programs, and regulations throughout the Commonwealth. Acting as a catalyst for change, this position aims to enhance operational excellence for Pennsylvania residents by spearheading housing-related economic development initiatives that encompass funding, partnerships, and support services. As the primary housing leader in the Commonwealth, the Deputy will collaborate with various partner agencies, including the Department of Human Services, the Department of Labor and Industry, and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, to effectively utilize available resources in implementing a comprehensive housing strategy that not only increases and preserves the housing supply but also expands opportunities and stabilizes housing outcomes.

In addition to these responsibilities, you will be charged with leading the implementation of the Commonwealth's inaugural Housing Action Plan, which was developed with extensive public input and unveiled in early 2026. This ambitious plan aims to broaden housing opportunities for all Pennsylvanians, enhance and maintain the state's housing stock, create pathways for housing stabilization and sustainability, modernize housing development regulations, and achieve operational excellence across both state and local governments. While the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is directly responsible for a portion of the initiatives outlined in the plan, the Deputy also holds overarching oversight and implementation duties for the entire strategy, working closely with stakeholders both within and outside of state government.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.

Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 2 days per week.

In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania.

If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time.

Additional details may be provided during the interview.

• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

15-years of expertise and experience in housing or redevelopment, real estate, and economic development, either in business, government, or an economic development organization.

Or experience in activities directed at expanding the availability of housing for vulnerable populations.

Core competencies in strategic, financial, and regulatory skills to administer grant program and regulatory reform, including the ability to provide strategic direction to a professional, technical, and clerical staff who perform application review, recommendation, contracting, grant expenditure/payment, budget forecasting, and monitoring procedures.

15-years of high-level strategic, conceptual, and analytical skills with an ability to contribute to a high performing executive team to achieve organizational outcomes and meet strategic objectives.

15-years of proven strong ability to execute a strategy, build coalitions, and communicate internally and externally.

Must possess the capability to work within the Executive Branch, with legislators, and most importantly with outside stakeholders (especially within the housing community) to build coalitions and get stuff done.

15-years of proven capacity to manage teams and budgets at scale, with a preference for experience with change management. We are asking this position to create and implement this Deputate of DCED.

15-years of proven ability to influence and resolve complex issues, including the development of new approaches, initiatives, and strategies that may have significant impact of the Deputate's success.

15-years of experience performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibility.

15-years of experience with data literacy and stewardship, including ensuring accessibility, consistency, and security while standardizing and improving data collection from Pennsylvania's housing programs.

Additional Requirements:

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

• Your application must include a cover letter and resume.
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.

The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.

All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.