Portfolio Support Specialist

Fairstead ESC LLC•Chicago, IL

2d•$75,000 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Portfolio Support Specialist provides high-level administrative, operational, and analytical support to Senior Regional Managers and their team of Regional Managers within a multi-state affordable housing portfolio. This role is designed to reduce administrative burden, enhance operational efficiency, and support critical initiatives across the portfolio. This role reports directly to the Senior Director of Strategic Innovation and offers a unique opportunity to join our leadership team with room for professional development and growth within the affordable housing industry. The ideal candidate brings 1 to 3 years of experience in affordable housing, strong organizational and analytical skills, and a working knowledge of compliance, financial reporting, and property operations within affordable housing.

Requirements

1 – 3 years of experience in affordable housing property management, including working knowledge of programs such as LIHTC, HUD, and Section 8
High School Diploma or GED required
Proficiency in property management systems (e.g., Yardi, OneSite, RealPage), with the ability to navigate, extract, and analyze operational and financial data
Project coordination or project management experience
Exposure to audit preparation and regulatory compliance processes
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel
Proven ability to analyze data and produce clear, actionable reports
Adaptable and agile, with the ability to quickly step into new environments and contribute effectively
Excellent organizational, time management, and multitasking skills
High attention to detail and accuracy
Strong written and verbal communication skills

Nice To Haves

Affordable Housing industry certifications (COS, TCS, BOS, etc.) preferred

Responsibilities

Provide ongoing administrative support to assigned Senior Regional Managers and regional teams.
Coordinate and manage travel arrangements, including flights, hotels, and transportation.
Prepare, submit, expense reports accurately and timely.
Prepare presentations, reports, and other materials as needed.
Maintain organized records and documentation for the portfolio.
Assist with budget preparation, tracking, and budget variance reporting.
Collaborate with property leadership and accounting teams to ensure accurate financials, including timely support for accounts payable and receivable processes
Collect, review, and analyze historical income and expense data for properties.
Prepare accurate and timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly property performance reports.
Identify trends, variances, and performance drivers; escalate insights to leadership.
Partner with Regional Managers to ensure consistent and accurate reporting.
Gather and analyze market data, including rent comparables and local trends using internal and third-party sources.
Interface with internal stakeholders (and external partners as needed) to support understanding of asset performance and unique property characteristics.
Support internal projects and portfolio-wide initiatives.
Assist with rollout of new programs, processes, and operational improvements.
Prepare for and support MORs, NSPIRE, and other regulatory inspections.
Ensure all required documentation is complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
Assist with responses to audit findings and compliance-related requests.
Assist with due diligence for property acquisitions
Support documentation and coordination for capital projects and large-scale renovations.
Perform additional duties as assigned to support portfolio operations and evolving business needs

Benefits

Generous employer contribution for Employer Paid Vision Plans.
Company Matched 401(k) Retirement Plan: 100% of the first 3%; 50% of the next 2%.
12+ paid Holidays.
15 days of PTO.
7 Sick days.
Employer Paid Life Insurance.
Flexible Spending Account.
Nationwide Pet Insurance.
Disability Insurance.
Laser Correction Discount.
Employee Discounts on appliances, apparel, and more.