Director of Public Affairs

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Background: The Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing (SCANPH) is a regional membership organization promoting the production, preservation, and management of homes affordable to low-income people throughout the Southern California region. SCANPH is the leading voice representing the affordable housing industry in a region of over 18 million residents, and our advocacy and programming efforts have contributed greatly toward assisting the financially vulnerable in our communities since 1985. Our 250 organizational members—including approximately 1,400 individuals—are based primarily in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties and represent a diverse mix of non-profit housing developers, private businesses, property management companies, government agencies, and social service organizations.

Headquartered in Los Angeles and led by a small but productive team, SCANPH regularly convenes programs and events featuring leading experts from across the industry to strengthen member knowledge and build capacity among member organizations. The SCANPH annual conference hosts almost 1,500 participants making it the most important affordable housing convening in Southern California. We also develop original policy research, and work to advance creative legislative proposals that will produce and preserve affordable housing.

About the Role: SCANPH seeks a Director of Public Affairs to lead communications, programming, and membership efforts and play an important collaborative function in SCANPH’s fundraising endeavors. This role is pivotal in advancing SCANPH’s mission by ensuring impactful messaging and engagement that meet the needs of our growing membership.

As Director of Public Affairs, you will oversee key initiatives such as our annual conference, expand capacity-building programming, and ensure clear and mission-driven communications across all platforms, including websites, media outreach, and grant applications. You’ll work closely with the Chief Operating Officer to align all activities with SCANPH’s strategic priorities, ensuring that our programs and events support our members to succeed in an ever-changing environment. Additionally, you will manage a team of two staff members, fostering collaboration and alignment with organizational goals.

We are looking for a highly organized and proactive leader with a background in communications, project management, and affordable housing policy. The ideal candidate will excel in managing multiple initiatives, maintaining a keen eye for detail, and ensuring timely and accurate execution of all projects. A passion for affordable housing and the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly are essential, as you will be at the forefront of efforts to engage and inform key stakeholders.

The Public Affairs Director will report to the Chief Operating Officer and the position is full-time.

Responsibilities:

Communications

• Develop and Oversee Communications Strategies: Lead the creation and implementation of thematic frameworks and digital media strategies. Manage content across digital platforms, including newsletters, advocacy alerts, event announcements, and the website. Media relations is an important responsibility.
• Supervise Membership and Communications Efforts: Provide strategic oversight to the Senior Associate of Membership and Communications, ensuring the successful execution of communication strategies related to membership recruitment, retention, and revenue-generation initiatives, while enhancing engagement and outreach.
• Lead Public Affairs and Advocacy Campaigns: Respond to media inquiries, build public awareness of affordable housing issues, and develop targeted campaigns for legislative and campaign advocacy using digital media and other outreach tools.
• Ensure Consistency and Professional Branding: Maintain high-quality website presence, publications, and materials while managing SCANPH’s branding and public-facing communications.
• Support Organizational and Programmatic Goals: Strengthen data management practices, monitor membership metrics, and contribute to special projects and collaborations with local and state partners to advance SCANPH’s advocacy and programming objectives.
• Lead Grant Writing and Reporting: Develop persuasive grant proposals and reports, showcasing SCANPH’s impact on housing and homelessness issues effectively. Use data and storytelling to demonstrate program success and integrate grant writing efforts into the organization’s broader communications framework.

Programming Efforts:

• Oversee Event and Program Execution: Manage the planning, execution, and evaluation of SCANPH’s expanded programming and events, ensuring alignment with the evolving needs of the membership. This includes overseeing the production of policy forums, networking nights, working groups, the Homes Within Reach Award Ceremony, and the SCANPH Annual Conference, working closely with the Senior Associate of Public Affairs and Events to ensure smooth logistics, impactful content, and alignment with financial goals.
• Lead Program Ideation and Development: Collaborate with the SCANPH leadership team, board members, and the Senior Associate of Public Affairs and Events to conceive, plan, and implement a diverse slate of educational programs and workshops that respond to emerging topics in affordable housing. Guide the team in identifying key subject areas, speakers, and formats to ensure programming supports member engagement and development.
• Ensure Data-Driven Programming Success: Oversee the tracking and analysis of event and program data to measure effectiveness, member engagement, and outcomes. Ensure that insights from these analyses inform future programming decisions and reporting, contributing to organizational growth and the successful delivery of SCANPH’s mission.

Membership and Data Management:

• Drive Membership Growth and Engagement: Lead efforts to recruit, engage, and retain members. Oversee programs and initiatives that increase communication between SCANPH and its members to foster deeper involvement and participation.
• Enhance Data Management and Reporting: Manage and maintain membership databases, CRM systems, and other tracking platforms to ensure accurate data management. Provide detailed insights and robust reporting on membership activities, organizational performance, and other key metrics to support grant proposals, reports, board presentations, and other efforts.
• Engage with the Board and Committees: Oversee the Membership Committee and the Strategic and External Affairs Committee, working closely with board members to implement membership strategies and provide updates on key initiatives. Ensure alignment between committee efforts and SCANPH’s broader strategic goals.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in communications, public affairs, or a related field, with at least 1-2 years in a management role.
• Proven ability to lead and communicate effectively, including delivering strategic messaging and high-level presentations to a wide range of stakeholders, including board members, funders, and partners.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and content development skills, with experience producing strategic communications materials, including reports, speeches, proposals, and executive-level content.
• Deep understanding of and commitment to SCANPH’s mission, goals, and values, with a demonstrated ability to align communications and programs with organizational priorities.
• Extensive familiarity with digital tools, including CRM, social media platforms, project management software (e.g., Airtable, Mailchimp, Eventbrite), and website management tools, to oversee and streamline communication and event management.
• Proven experience in leading and developing teams, with the ability to mentor and manage direct reports effectively, ensuring cross-functional collaboration and accountability.
• Ability to think strategically and adapt quickly to changing organizational needs and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus.

Working Conditions:

• This position will be a hybrid position, where remote work is available aside from a weekly in-person day at SCANPH’s office in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles.
• Occasional local travel required to in-person public meetings as well as meetings with members, coalition partners, and events/conferences.

Salary and benefits: The starting salary for this position ranges from $120,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on the applicant's qualifications and experience. SCANPH offers a generous benefits package, including healthcare and retirement.

Employment Status: full-time, exempt position.

Preferred Start Date: As soon as position is filled.

To Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter to Jobs@scanph.org with the subject line "Application for Director of Public Affairs" The deadline to apply is February 21, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.