Policy Manager

Job Title:

Policy Manager

Salary:

$75,000 - $85,000/yr

Reports to:

Managing Director of External Affairs

Benefits Include:

Employer-Paid Medical & Dental Insurance, Vacation/Sick PTO, 12 Holidays, 403B Retirement Plan w/ Employer Contribution, & Prof. Development Opportunities

Status:

FT, Exempt

Location:

Hybrid (Remote & In-Person)

ABOUT FAIR SHARE HOUSING CENTER

Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC) is a nonprofit advocacy organization that uses legal, policy, and community-building strategies to dismantle decades of racial and economic discrimination in New Jersey and nationally that excludes people from the opportunity to live in safe, healthy, and affordable housing. Fair Share Housing Center’s work has created over 70,000 homes affordable to lower-income families in communities that otherwise would have excluded them, with 50,000 more anticipated over the next decade. FSHC has shaped both state and national policy on racial justice and fair housing, including through the largest settlement in the 50-year history of the federal Fair Housing Act in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. And the organization also led the charge to pass the Fair Chance in Housing Act—the first statewide bill of its kind in the country that protects individuals with prior criminal legal involvement from discrimination in the rental market. More broadly, FSHC works closely with partner organizations in New Jersey and nationally to advance racial, economic, and social justice issues that impact low-income communities and communities of color.

POSITION SUMMARY

FSHC’s Policy Manager plays a critical role in advancing affordable housing policy in New Jersey, supporting FSHC’s mission to promote equitable housing access and dismantle systems of racial and economic discrimination in New Jersey. This position involves drafting and advocating for policy changes, collaborating with FSHC’s legal and planning teams, and engaging with community and stakeholders at various levels. The Policy Manager also provides legislative testimony and prepares policy briefs, contributing to FSHC's goal of addressing housing inequities and supporting vulnerable communities in New Jersey and beyond.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Policy Research: Conduct in-depth research on housing policies and related legislative trends and policies at the state and national levels, including data analysis to inform advocacy and policy strategies that align with the organization’s mission.
• Policy Drafting: Draft and propose targeted policy initiatives and specific legislative and regulatory language proposals and comments to address affordable housing challenges, focusing on initiatives that support low- and moderate-income communities.
• Legislative Engagement: Prepare and deliver written and oral testimony for legislative hearings, representing the organization’s position on affordable housing and/or other FSHC policy areas prioritized by FSHC.
• Public Outreach and Education: Deliver presentations and participate in public speaking engagements to promote affordable housing and other policy initiatives and educate stakeholders and community members.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Coordinate policy and legislative discussions with local and national partners, focusing on FSHC’s current policy priorities.
• Project Management: Manage multiple ongoing projects, setting clear priorities and timelines to meet deadlines and achieve project goals effectively.
• Team Support and Mentorship: supervise and/or mentor junior team members or interns, sharing knowledge and insights to enhance team capacity and development. Act as a resource for team members by offering guidance on policy research, drafting techniques, and data analysis methods.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated commitment to racial & economic justice and alignment with FSHC’s mission & values
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Urban Planning, Law, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience in policy research, legislative engagement, or advocacy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking in a variety of settings.
• Ability to analyze data, policy proposals, local, state and federal legislation, and other relevant documents, and to communicate findings effectively.
• Experience working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with affordable housing, racial and economic justice, and/or climate resilience issues.
• Experience in advocacy, data analysis, or policy development for nonprofit or government sectors a plus.
• Proficiency in drafting policy briefs, public comments, and reports a plus.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of what is typically required to perform the essential functions of this role. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable work environment and will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities in fulfilling these essential functions. These physical demands include: sitting for long periods of time; extensive use of a computer and keyboard, including typing and reviewing documents on a screen; effective communication with team members and external stakeholders, which may involve phone calls, participating in video conferences, written communications, and public speaking engagements; operating office equipment, including computers, printers, and telephones, which may involve reaching, bending, and lifting small office supplies and materials; frequent travel to attend meetings, conferences, or events, which may involve sitting for extended periods during transportation.

LOCATION

This is a primarily remote position with some in-person meetings required. Day-to-day responsibilities will be generally remote. The individual will be required to attend in-person meetings with staff at or near Fair Share Housing Center’s offices in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and as part of key policy and communications initiatives around the state, in addition to occasional evening and weekend commitments a few times a month, especially as may be needed to attend events hosted by key partners at those times. Generally, in-person meetings of any kind will occur 2-3 days per week, with some weeks being more or less depending on the flow of the work.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Fair Share Housing Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect, free from harassment and discrimination, where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

FSHC believes that diversity and inclusion among our employees are critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Decisions related to hiring, compensating, training, evaluating performance, or terminating are made fairly and are based on merit, competence, and qualifications. FSHC is also committed to making our application process accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should apply online by submitting a resume and cover letter at https://fairsharehousing.bamboohr.com/careers/.

• All applicants will receive an acknowledgement that their application has been received. Only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted directly by our hiring team. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.