National Policy Director

National Policy Director

Reports to: VP of Housing Policy

Department: Housing Policy and Research

Status: Full-time, Exempt

About Us

Grounded Solutions Network is a national affordable housing focused nonprofit dedicated to shaping communities to be equitable, inclusive and filled with opportunity for all. Where we live matters. Housing determines what opportunities we have and how our kids grow up. Everyone should be able to live in a place that offers opportunity: access to jobs, parks, public transit, quality schools and stable homes. Strong and inclusive communities provide the foundation that people and families need to thrive, both in the present and for future generations.

As a national membership organization, we support nonprofit and government practitioners, community resident leaders, advocates, elected officials, and other housing professionals with the tools, resources and knowledge they need for success. We promote the creation and preservation of quality housing that remains affordable for generations. Our work specifically targets creating and expanding housing with lasting affordability, using a racial equity lens.

Grounded Solutions Network is committed to fostering an organizational culture rooted in critical thinking and consciousness about race and class. We seek candidates who are dedicated to achieving racial equity as both a process and outcome. We are committed to building a staff team that is as racially and culturally diverse as the communities that we serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

About the Position

The National Policy Director will help to design and lead the short-term and long-term policy agenda for the organization’s priorities for federal legislation, regulations, policies, and programs, as well as strategies to increase access to real estate and mortgage financing. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience and a commitment to centering a racial equity lens in strategically advancing innovative housing policy and advocacy solutions that reverse disparities and improve outcomes for communities of color.

Core Components of the role include:

• Conducting federal and state legislative, regulatory, and policy analysis.
• Communicating with and mobilizing members and stakeholders on advocacy efforts, including writing policy briefs and support materials for effective advocacy.
• Acting as the representative of Grounded Solutions in coalitions and cultivating strategic partnerships.
• Meeting with Congressional offices, federal agencies, public officials, and financial institutions for education and advocacy.
• Promoting public awareness of the affordable housing models and solutions the organization represents and the challenges faced by the shared equity housing field.

The National Policy Director must be able to work independently and collaboratively, have discerning judgement, and—most of all—be driven to accomplish major policy wins for the field, especially at the federal level. This position will work collaboratively with staff, our network members, partners, consultants, and external stakeholders to foster relationships and lead effective partnerships focused on new and improved policies that will increase access to resources at local, state, and national levels.

The National Policy Director will foster a positive organizational culture and be excellent at cross-department coordination. This position reports to the VP of Housing Policy. The Director will not initially supervise internal staff but should have the skills and experience to do so, as well as being able to manage projects and consultants with minimal oversight.

Key Responsibilities

Program and Strategy Development

• Establish short-term and long-term policy priorities and a multi-year policy agenda in consultation with executive leadership and key stakeholders.
• Create and manage the National Policy annual workplan and budget.
• Track congressional activity, partner communications, and media related to shared equity housing expansion goals and federal policy priorities.
• Strategically build and maintain relationships with partners, Congress, federal agencies, etc. to advance legislation and rule-making that scales the field.
• Design and implement strategies to increase effective member and stakeholder engagement in advocacy.
• Identify solutions and work in partnership and coalitions for issues impacting the shared equity housing field and the broader affordable housing field related to federal programs, funding, and financing.
• Foster new opportunities and strategies to scale housing with lasting affordability, especially those that serve people of color
• Identify, cultivate, and help develop revenue generating opportunities for the department.

Program Implementation

• Track and analyze emerging legislation, proposed rules, regulations, and institutional policies to evaluate impact and potential points of intervention and draft appropriate written products (e.g., draft bill proposals, public comments, Congressional meeting protocols, policy briefs).
• Collect targeted data to meet requests of Congress, federal agencies, and financial institutions.
• Meet with, present to, and establish relationships in Congressional offices and committees, federal agencies, financial institutions, and other strategic partnerships to advance program agenda.
• Oversee the content planning and implementation of organization’s Congressional Conference and other Congressional office meetings (when applicable).
• Lead planning and organizing outreach for all GSN member federal legislative advocacy with limited support from our member engagement team. Support members and field to engage in local and national advocacy; draft supportive materials, such as talking points, fact sheets, and other resources.
• Partner with national organizations and participate in coalitions that advance our policy agenda and recommend what the organization will endorse and what our members should be asked to participate in.
• Coordinate partnerships with the Government Sponsored Enterprises, lending institutions, and trade associations to increase access to sound and competitive financing for shared equity homebuyers and for nonprofits to obtain needed financing and funding.
• Lead outreach to achieve an annual goal for membership recruitment of additional strategic national policy coalition partners.
• Help identify and contribute to fundraising efforts and grant proposals.
• Contribute to thought leadership in the field through presentations, articles, reports, and media coverage.
• Measure and critically evaluate implementation activities and make recommendations for improvements.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent organizational, project, and time management skills.
• Strong knowledge of many HUD programs, especially HOME and CDBG, and the housing finance system (e.g., FHA, VA, USDA, FHFA and the GSEs).
• Deep understanding of how systemic racism has shaped and continues to shape local, state, and federal housing policy and community development.
• Basic knowledge of shared equity homeownership or community land trusts.
• Highly organized, structured and detail oriented. Able to self-manage with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytic and strategic oral and written communication skills, including (but not limited to) the ability to shape bipartisan messages, balance evidence- and advocacy-based rationales, and craft tone, style, and content for various audiences. Highly skilled writer, speaker, and presenter.
• Proven ability to analyze, and formulate implications of/responses to federal legislation, rules, policies, etc.
• Strong ability to build relationships and trust amongst various audiences and stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work successfully in self-directed environments to strategically advance policy goals.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively project manage and manage independent consultants.
• Proven ability to prioritize and concurrently make progress on detail-oriented work, large-scale projects, team-based assignments, and long-term objectives.
• Ability to work and communicate in diverse communities.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite & tech friendly.

Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Government Affairs, or a related field.
• 8+ years’ experience, preferably in affordable housing and federal programs, policy, and/or government relations.
• Experience with both federal legislative and rule-making processes; Congressional staff experience preferred.
• Proven track record in raising revenue (contracting and/or fundraising).

Starting Salary Range

$110,000 to $145,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Travel required

Approximately 4-8 trips per year of domestic out-of-state, as needed to attend conferences, events, and company meetings

Location

This role is based in the Grounded Solution’s Washington DC headquarters. Currently this role is operating on a hybrid work schedule with 2-3 days in office. All staff are expected to demonstrate the ability to work remotely while maintaining high levels of efficiency and productivity and communicating effectively with their direct supervisor and colleagues.

Benefits

Competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, matching 401k and paid time off. Supportive, stimulating and collaborative environment with passionate colleagues dedicated to building community, equity and justice. Opportunities for professional growth and development.

Join our team and build your career with us! We offer:

• Supportive, stimulating and collaborative environment with passionate colleagues dedicated to building community, equity and justice.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, matching 401k and paid time off.

How to Apply

Please submit, as 1 document (PDF or word), a cover letter and resume here: Application Form – National Policy Director.

Competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, matching 401k and paid time off. Supportive, stimulating and collaborative environment with passionate colleagues dedicated to building community, equity and justice. Opportunities for professional growth and development.