Senior Compliance Specialist

New York State Housing Finance Agency•New York, NY

About The Position

The Senior Compliance Specialist works within the Department of Empowerment, Compliance and Opportunities (DECO), which monitors procurement activity across HCR’s integrated housing agencies and promotes economic opportunities for Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses (MWBEs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOBs). The role supports MWBE and SDVOB participation on construction projects financed through HCR programs statewide, with an emphasis on compliance monitoring, reporting, technical assistance, and data analysis. The position provides training and assistance to project development teams and program staff, supports MWBE/SDVOB businesses and certification, monitors project expenditures and utilization, and produces quarterly reporting and portfolio summaries. It analyzes data to identify trends, discrepancies, risks, and improvement opportunities; maintains data analysis; and recommends solutions to reporting gaps. The specialist also evaluates administrative support systems and documentation practices, leads and coaches a team of Compliance Specialists, and develops strategic plans to bring deficient projects into compliance. Throughout the construction lifecycle, the specialist attends and leads meetings with general contractors and legal, finance/accounting, and project management teams to ensure compliance. The role reviews good-faith efforts by external stakeholders, assists with audits and regulatory inquiries, builds relationships with worksite employees, represents HCR at statewide forums and industry events, and may travel within New York State. Other reasonably related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Public speaking experience.
Experience overseeing data quality assurance, compliance, or related data and reporting.
Strong skills in Excel, Power BI/Tableau, or similar data visualization tools.
Experience supporting or leading data system implementation and working with software developers.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate across teams.
Proficiency in various computer software.
Experience with data analysis and monitoring compliance with governmental housing regulations.
Knowledge of the housing development process.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of New York State MWBE and SDVOB reporting and goal-setting processes.
Bachelor’s degree is preferred, with equivalent work experience also considered.

Responsibilities

Provide technical training and assistance to project development teams.
Work with program staff from HCR construction finance teams.
Provide quarterly reporting.
Provide technical assistance to the MWBE/SDVOB community and encourage MWBE/SDVOB certification.
Lead a team of Compliance Specialists and coach peers.
Attend industry-related conferences and events and represent HCR in statewide MWBE and SDVOB forums.
Analyze construction expenditure and MWBE/SDVOB utilization data to identify trends, discrepancies, potential risks, and opportunities for improvement.
Monitor and report expenditures on projects financed by HCR programs.
Identify reporting gaps and recommend solutions to improve accuracy and accountability.
Create and maintain data analysis.
Evaluate and advise on the organization, methods, and procedures for administrative support systems, including records, communications, directives, forms, files, and documentation.
Attend and lead meetings throughout the construction lifecycle with general contractors and legal, finance/accounting, and project management teams to ensure compliance.
Compile quarterly portfolio progress summaries with a team of Compliance Specialists.
Create strategic plans to bring deficient projects into compliance.
Review and compile good-faith efforts performed by external stakeholders.
Assist with responses to audits, requests, and inquiries from supervising regulatory agencies.
Develop and maintain trusting relationships with employees on worksites.
Travel within New York State as needed.
Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Paid leave, including vacation, sick leave, personal days, and federal holidays.
Health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits, including participation in the New York State & Local Employees’ Retirement System.
Promotional opportunities.
37.5-hour work week and work-life balance benefits.
Opportunity for compressed scheduling and flextime scheduling.
12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave.
Paid Family Leave.
Potential eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Cash in for Wellness program, allowing employees to use sick leave accruals toward a health club membership or weight-loss or smoking-cessation program.
Tuition reimbursement for job-related and non-job-related courses.
Vacation Leave Buy-Back program, subject to approval.
Access to Plum Benefits discounts on entertainment, travel, and other activities.
Optical reimbursement for eligible optical, hearing-aid, and podiatric expenses not otherwise covered by insurance, up to $650 per year per family, with unused balances carrying over up to $1,300.