Office and Governance Manager

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

National Housing Trust (NHT) has been dedicated to creating and preserving affordable housing for almost 40 years. Our mission is to create and preserve affordable homes to provide opportunity, advance racial equity, reduce economic disparities, and strengthen community resilience through our integrated policy-plus-practice approach. We build, preserve, and finance affordable housing and use that expertise to inform and advance resident-focused solutions to strengthen the broader affordable housing industry.

NHT has a staff of 60+ across five program areas: Policy, Lending, Real Estate Development, Community Outreach and Impact, and Energy Solutions. Our hallmark is our cross-functional, integrated approach to innovating, demonstrating, and amplifying solutions to the affordable housing crisis in the U.S.

ABOUT OPHR

The Operations and Human Resources (OPHR) team plays a vital role in supporting NHT's people, systems, and workplace operations. We ensure that staff have the resources, policies, and infrastructure needed to thrive. Our work spans HR, office management, IT coordination, leadership support, and overall organizational operations to help NHT run effectively and efficiently.

Our team includes:

• Senior Director of HR - Leads HR strategy, policies, and overall team operations.
• HR Manager - Manages HR operations, recruiting and hiring, pre-onboarding and offboarding, and employee relations and communications.
• Senior HR Generalist - Administers Payroll and benefits, HR compliance, onboarding, and employee engagement.
• Office and Governance Manager - ensures efficient office operations, manages governance processes and board logistics, and oversees administrative functions to support organizational effectiveness and compliance.
• IT Manager - Develops and executes NHT's technology strategies, overseeing IT operations, security, IT vendor management, and staff support to enhance efficiency and collaboration.

Together, we create a workplace that supports NHT's mission by enhancing organizational operations and employee experience.

POSITION

NHT seeks a proactive and highly organized Operations and Governance Manager to oversee organizational operations, governance, and office administration. This role is critical to ensuring operational efficiency, maintaining compliance, and fostering a productive and welcoming workplace. The position reports to the Senior Director of HR and is responsible for managing day-to-day operations, governance processes, and administrative systems.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with exceptional organizational skills, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities. Excel at adapting to change, navigating complex organizational structures, and driving process improvements. With strong communication and interpersonal skills, foster collaboration, service excellence, and a positive work environment.

This DC-based position requires in-person work Monday through Thursday as the organization's first point of contact and may be eligible for remote work on Fridays.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Office Operations (40%)

• Develop and implement office policies, procedures, and operational systems.
• Work closely with program areas to ensure operational support aligns with their goals and needs.
• Monitor compliance with organizational policies and external regulations, identifying and mitigating risks.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of organizational strategies to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Manage operational budgets, track expenses, and ensure cost-effective use of resources.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and building management communications.
• Identify and address inefficiencies in organizational workflows and implement solutions to streamline operations.
• Maintain and analyze operational data to identify trends, measure performance, and inform decision-making.
• Prepare regular reports on operational metrics, challenges, and achievements.
• Develop and deliver training programs to enhance staff understanding of operational systems and processes. Foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Governance Management (40%)

• Serve as staff expert on governance, keeping up-to-date best practices for board management and appropriately integrating them into operations.
• Masterfully draft, proofread, and format reports, board books, and internal communications with competence and professionalism.
• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of governance-related policies, procedures, and documents.
• Manage board meetings, including scheduling, preparing agendas, and compiling board books. Ensure timely distribution of materials and follow-up on action items.
• Monitor and ensure adherence to legal, regulatory, and organizational requirements.
• Maintain accurate and organized records of governance-related documents, including bylaws, resolutions, and meeting minutes.
• Plan and execute board and committee meetings, including logistics, catering, and travel arrangements.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with board members, senior team, and external partners.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Provide high-level support to the CEO, including calendar, inbox, and correspondence management.
• Develop and manage Governance-related budget.
• Oversee meeting and conference planning, ensuring preparation, documentation, and follow-up. Track and prioritize key decisions and action items.
• Provide backup support to the CEO's Administrative Assistant as needed.

Office Administration (20%)

• Serve as the first point of contact for office calls, voicemails, and reception. Greet visitors and ensure a professional and welcoming atmosphere.
• Effectively manage and distribute incoming and outgoing mail, packages, and postage needs.
• Liaise with building management for maintenance, repairs, and general upkeep.
• Ensure common areas are clean, organized, and fully stocked with supplies.
• Plan and execute in-house and off-site events, including staff meetings, team-building activities, and conferences. Manage logistics such as catering, scheduling, and setup/breakdown.
• Maintain inventory of office supplies and equipment, ensuring availability and functionality. Troubleshoot basic equipment issues and coordinate repairs as needed.
• Assist with onboarding/offboarding processes, including IT and workspace setup.
• Serve as an in-house notary for organizational documents.
• Provide general administrative support to staff and senior team as needed.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?

This is an extraordinary opportunity for a highly detailed, organized, and efficient leader with at least seven (7) years of relevant experience. Qualifications include:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, using clear and concise language.
• Experience in the affordable housing industry or a similarly complex, matrixed organization.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Professional, personable, and service-oriented approach to handling inquiries and interactions.
• Able to work independently and proactively anticipate needs.
• Excellent time management and ability to prioritize in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.
• Effective interpersonal and organizational skills, fostering collaboration across teams.
• Strong budget management skills-capable of handling expenses including tracking, invoicing, and expense reconciliation.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all interactions.
• Knowledge of office administration systems and procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint).
• Experience with office management software, virtual meeting platforms (i.e. Teams), and document-sharing tools (i.e. SharePoint).
• Experience with office equipment and email scheduling tools.
• Ability to track, prioritize, and execute multiple responsibilities efficiently while meeting deadlines.
• Proactive and self-starter, able to anticipate problems and find creative solutions.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, with a high level of detail orientation.
• A collaborative and team-oriented mindset.
• Commitment to NHT's mission, with a deep dedication to supporting low-income families.

COMPENSATION

Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this position is $92,190 to $122,950. For further details on the benefits available, please refer to NHT's Summary of Benefits for 2025.

JOIN US

Apply for this job. No phone calls, please.

NHT is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all our employment programs and decisions, including, but not limited to recruitment and hiring. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, matriculation, genetic information, covered veteran's status or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. BIPOC applicants, women, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.