Policy Lead - Urban Ocean Lab

About Urban Ocean Lab:

Urban Ocean Lab (UOL) is a coastal climate policy think tank reimagining how coastal cities respond to climate change. Co-founded by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Jean Flemma, UOL connects bold ideas with practical tools—shaping public imagination, informing policy, and equipping local leaders to build just, resilient, and livable coastal futures.

UOL is led by a Managing Director, with the ongoing leadership and thought partnership of its founders. UOL also collaborates closely with a diverse advisory board that provides strategic guidance and sectoral expertise. UOL is an independent operating project of Multiplier, a nationally recognized nonprofit that accelerates impact for sustainability-focused initiatives. UOL operates as a remote-first organization with staff located across the U.S. and an active node in New York City.

The Opportunity:

The Policy Lead will anchor Urban Ocean Lab’s local policy work, guiding partnerships with coastal cities and local networks to design and advance innovative, equity-centered climate adaptation and resilience policies. This role will help local governments develop integrated approaches that align climate resilience and adaptation strategies with broader municipal priorities—such as housing, infrastructure investments, and land use planning—and translate promising policy solutions into scalable models for other coastal communities. Insights from this work will also inform Urban Ocean Lab’s broader efforts to reimagine how state and federal systems can better support local climate leadership.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in urban planning and climate policy, with experience developing or implementing local policy solutions. This role is ideal for someone who is both analytical and creative—able to bridge technical policy expertise with design-minded, collaborative approaches to urban resilience.

Primary Responsibilities

Local Policy Research and Development

• Lead research and analysis on local climate adaptation, housing, land use, and resilience policies.
• Identify emerging trends and best practices from U.S. coastal cities and translate them into actionable guidance and tools.
• Direct the development of UOL’s publications, policy memos, and case studies that capture and elevate local innovation.
• Develop model ordinances, zoning and building code recommendations, and other policy resources that can be adapted across jurisdictions.

Partnerships and Collaboration

• Build and maintain relationships with city leaders, municipal networks, philanthropic and research organizations, and community-based organizations.
• Convene partners to share lessons learned and surface policy needs that can shape UOL’s workstreams.

Program Design and Delivery

• Lead the design and delivery of policy resources and toolkits that demonstrate how integrated climate and land use strategies can be applied in practice.
• Coordinate with external law and design partners to develop legislative templates, planning frameworks, and integrated resilience models.
• Oversee the dissemination of UOL’s research outputs, ensuring they are accessible, actionable and widely shared among coastal cities.

Strategic Input and Organizational Leadership

• Provide input into UOL’s strategic priorities and help shape the organization’s local action agenda.
• Collaborate closely with the Managing Director and Chief of Staff to ensure that local workstreams align with broader organizational goals.
• Collaborate with UOL’s research, design, and communications staff to translate local insights into broadly accessible policy products and narratives.
• Represent UOL at conferences, city convenings, and coalition meetings. This position may include occasional domestic travel for convenings, meetings, or conferences.

Who You Are

We know no single candidate will bring every qualification, and we encourage candidates from a range of backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Ideal candidates will bring:

• 7+ years of experience in urban policy, climate adaptation, land use planning, or related fields.
• Deep understanding of local government processes, especially around housing, zoning, infrastructure, or environmental planning.
• Experience developing or implementing policy at the city or regional level.
• Proven experience leading or authoring policy publications, case studies, or guidance materials.
• Strong writing, research, and communication skills, with the ability to make complex policy ideas clear and actionable.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex policy projects from concept to publication, balancing analytical rigor with creative problem-solving.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners across sectors.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centered approaches to climate resilience.
• Comfort working in a growing organization that is building new systems and experimenting with new ideas.

Workplace, Compensation & Application

Workplace & Travel: Remote (with a strong preference for candidates based in U.S. coastal cities; UOL maintains a team node in New York City) All employees work from home offices with occasional travel (1-2 times per year) for all-team in-person meetings.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $150,000, commensurate with experience. UOL offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, retirement savings, along with generous paid leave and a flexible remote-first work environment.

How to Apply: To apply, please visit our Applicant Portal. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Priority will be given to applications received on or before Sunday December 14, 2025. Please include:

• your resume
• a detailed cover letter, sharing why you’re passionate about this role and UOL’s mission, how your experience aligns with the responsibilities.

We respectfully request no follow-up calls or emails.

Multiplier and UOL are committed to creating an inclusive, equitable, and accessible application process for all candidates. We recognize that the traditional hiring process can create barriers. If we can support your participation in the job application or interview process by providing specific assistance or accommodation, please reach out to accommodations@multiplier.org. Requests for accommodations are confidential and will not impact your candidacy.

Urban Ocean Lab and Multiplier are committed to building an inclusive organization that reflects the communities we serve. Individuals who are BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA+, disabled, or from historically underrepresented communities are warmly encouraged to apply.

About Multiplier

Multiplier accelerates impact for innovative projects focused on protecting and fostering a healthy, sustainable, resilient and equitable world. At Multiplier, program teams can turn game-changing ideas into planet-saving impact, and they can do it faster and better than they otherwise could.

Multiplier celebrates diversity and is committed to building teams and partnerships that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Multiplier is also committed to providing an environment of mutual respect that is free from discrimination and harassment. Multiplier prohibits discrimination in its governance, programs, and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from public assistance, or for any other factor that is not based on merit.