Communications Director

Communications Director

Location: San Francisco or Los Angeles (Hybrid)

Reports to: Executive Director

Salary: $130,000 – $150,000 annually, with potential performance-based bonus

Travel: Occasional statewide travel (Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles)

About the Housing Action Coalition (HAC)

Housing Action Coalition (HAC) is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to solve California’s housing crisis. We advance policies and housing developments that create more homes at all levels of affordability and build a movement for housing abundance.

HAC is implementing an ambitious five-year plan to triple our scale and statewide impact by 2026. We are expanding our membership, growing our staff, and increasing our influence in California’s housing and political landscape. Communication is at the heart of this effort—shaping the narrative, growing our coalition, and securing policy wins.

Position Overview

The Communications Director is a senior leader responsible for developing and executing HAC’s communications strategy to advance our policy, political, and membership goals. This is a high-impact role for a strategic storyteller and hands-on communicator who thrives in a fast-paced advocacy environment.

You will oversee HAC’s media, digital, and internal communications, ensuring our message drives policy victories, political influence, and organizational growth. The Communications Director will work closely with the Executive Director, policy staff, and membership team to craft messaging that resonates with members, funders, allies, elected officials, and the public.

Key Responsibilities

Political & Policy Messaging

• Develop clear, persuasive messages on California housing policy and politics.
• Partner with the policy team to maintain and update political and policy talking points.
• Provide rapid response messaging on emerging policy and political developments.

Media Strategy & Public Relations

• Lead earned media efforts, including press outreach, story pitching, and op-ed placement.
• Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, and opinion leaders.
• Serve as a key spokesperson and coach senior staff for public appearances.

Digital Strategy & Content

• Oversee HAC’s digital presence, including LinkedIn, website, newsletter, and other social platforms.
• Drive growth in digital engagement to expand membership and fundraising.
• Manage production of graphics, videos, and campaign materials; supervise consultants or create content directly.

Internal Communications

• Lead internal communications systems to align staff and ensure consistent messaging across teams.
• Maintain a central communications repository for key talking points, branding, and design assets.

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a member of HAC’s senior leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and organizational culture.
• Collaborate with membership, development, and policy staff to ensure communications supports fundraising and statewide expansion.

Qualifications

Required

• Political & Policy Expertise: Deep understanding of California politics, housing policy, or statewide political dynamics.
• Campaign Experience: Proven success leading or executing communications for political, issue, or ballot campaigns.
• Media Relations Skills: Strong track record securing earned media and managing press relationships.
• Hands-On Execution: Ability to produce high-quality content (writing, social, digital design) while setting strategy.
• Leadership Experience: Senior-level communications role in a nonprofit, advocacy, or political organization.
• 10+ years professional communications experience or press role in a housing, political, or advocacy organization.

Preferred

• Digital strategy expertise, including social media, analytics, and paid digital campaigns.
• Design skills or experience managing creative consultants.
• Existing relationships with California political media.
• Experience in housing advocacy, urban planning, or related policy fields.

Personal Qualities

• Ambitious and impact-driven; thrives in a small, fast-moving organization.
• Low ego, high accountability; ready to “wash the dishes or run the restaurant” as needed.
• Growth mindset with openness to feedback and continuous improvement.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $130,000 – $150,000 annually
• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible hybrid work schedule.
• Professional development coaching and growth opportunities.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume to HR@housingactioncoalition.org with the subject line “Communications Director Application.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Housing Action Coalition is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, parents, and others historically excluded from housing advocacy.

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible hybrid work schedule.
• Professional development coaching and growth opportunities.

• 10+ years professional communications experience or press role in a housing, political, or advocacy organization.
• Experience in statewide political campaigns, ballot measures, or legislative advocacy.
• Familiarity with nonprofit membership organizations and fundraising-driven communications.
• Existing network of political media contacts.
• Political and Policy Expertise: Deep understanding of California housing policy and/or state and local politics, with the ability to navigate complex political environments.
• Campaign Experience: Proven track record leading or executing communications for political, issue, or ballot campaigns.
• Media Relations Skills: Demonstrated success securing media coverage and managing press relationships. Must have strong relationships with media outlets, reporters, influencers.
• Hands-On Execution: Willingness to personally create and edit content, manage social media, and drive design projects—comfortable with both strategy and execution.
• Senior Leadership: Experience as a senior communications leader who has successfully built and implemented organizational communications strategies.
• Management Experience: Must have experience directly managing staff and/or leading a team