Housing Commissioner

What You'll Do

The Head of Department (Commissioner) is a mayoral appointee responsible for providing visionary leadership, strategic direction, and effective management of the entire department, including a team of lawyers. This includes oversight and compliance of all federal and state grants, working with developers to drive housing development and redevelopment, creating incentives for new home owners, setting housing policy, and leading all housing related communications. The Housing Commissioner will partner closely with the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, the Mayor's Office of Homeless Services, residents, community organizations, philanthropic entities, nonprofits, and other government agencies in implementing the department's strategic agenda and budget priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Operational Oversight of Department

• Champion the creation and execution of a forward-looking strategic framework that addresses housing affordability, community equity, neighborhood stabilization, and anti‑displacement.
• Provide executive oversight of all departmental divisions—from development and enforcement to planning, policy, finance, and communications.
• Oversee departmental budgets, capital investments, grants, and bond approvals, ensuring effective allocation of City resources.
• Submit annual reports to the Mayor, maintain central records for enforcement activities, and uphold transparency and performance accountability of the department

Housing Policy Development & Execution

• Monitor and evaluate initiatives like Vacants to Value and CORE to combat blight and rehabilitate vacant properties.
• Serve as custodian of City real estate transactions, oversee code enforcement, renewal and conservation planning, assist in relocation efforts, and enter into contracts under city guidelines
• Mitigate gentrification-related displacement and pursue halting inequitable trends in neighborhoods experiencing transformation

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with the Mayor's Office, City Council, Planning Department, State and Federal agencies, philanthropic and nonprofit partners.
• Drive inclusive public engagement strategies such as Community Conversations to ensure residents' voices shape development priorities of the department.

Who You'll Work With

You will report to the Mayor of Baltimore and the city's Chief Administrative Officer.

You will oversee the entire department with 7 direct reports.

• 10+ years of progressive experience in the housing sector, demonstrating increasing levels of responsibility, including a minimum of five years in a senior-level role.
• A Master's degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Public Policy, or a closely related field—though significant executive-level experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale urban housing or community development programs, preferably within local government or similar agencies.
• Proven ability to conceptualize and operationalize strategic frameworks, manage public policy intensively, and steer complex multi-agency initiatives.
• Strong record of budget oversight, financial management (including bonds/grants), and operational efficiency.
• Familiarity with City Charter, Board of Estimates processes, code enforcement regulations, contract negotiation, and housing law.
• Track record of success in engaging diverse communities, advancing equitable outcomes, and addressing displacement pressures.
• Exceptional public communication skills, capable of elevating the Department's vision through media, community outreach, and stakeholder advocacy.
• Ability to foster coordination among City departments, external stakeholders, philanthropic funders, and federal/state partners.

Preferred

• Experience in affordable housing preservation and development.
• Demonstrated success in blight-reduction programs
• Proficiency with urban planning strategies and neighborhood investment frameworks.
• Commitment to equity and anti-displacement measures.
• Experience working with City capital budgeting processes and public bond instruments.

Residency & Financial Disclosure: This position is required to complete an Affidavit for Political Appointees and Public Officials as part of the City's Residency Requirement. You will also be required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law.

Benefits are highlighted below; Please visit the Baltimore City website for more details.

Application Deadline is October 31, 2025.

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodation during the hiring process should contact Human Resources directly. Do not attach your request for accommodation to the application.