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Senior Policy Director

Background on the National Housing Conference

Founded in 1931, The National Housing Conference (NHC) is the oldest and broadest housing coalition in America. We were primary authors and advocates for the 1937, 1949, and 1968 National Housing Acts, as well as the leading advocate for the 2021 Homeowners Assistance Fund. NHC’s mission is to convene and collaborate through dialogue, advocacy, research, and education, to develop equitable solutions that serve our common interest – an America where everyone is able to live in a quality, affordable home in a thriving community. Politically diverse and nonpartisan, NHC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

NHC leverages its deep understanding of housing and community development policy and extensive relationships to advocate for positions and perspectives on key issues. NHC champions policies and guides industry stakeholders on strategies to address affordable housing needs. We engage members and policymakers to improve collaboration around diverse agendas and build consensus on vital issues. NHC unites the housing community to tackle broad-reaching issues, such as affordable housing supply, practical regulatory reform, and racial equity. We are a founding member of the Black Homeownership Collaborative, committed to creating 3 million net new Black homeowners by 2030.

We convene housing advocates alongside leading experts, policymakers, and public officials to find tangible, impactful, and achievable solutions to crucial housing challenges.

NHC also produces practical, solution-focused, best-practices research that highlights the challenges and opportunities for successfully advancing affordable housing.

Position Summary

  • NHC’s senior policy director plays a leading role in Washington, D.C. on housing issues on behalf of over 300 members, representing the organization in a wide range of housing forums, working with housing leaders from across the country, and managing relationships with policymakers across the political spectrum.
  • The senior policy director also works closely with NHC’s Policy and Research Committee and leads NHC’s policy development working groups, including those on CRA modernization, HUD regulatory reform, and Black homeownership.
  • The senior policy director advocates for affordable housing policies among Republican and Democratic administration executives and Members of Congress, and collaborates with a broad range of housing advocacy groups across the political spectrum to develop the highest common denominator of support for tangible, impactful, and achievable solutions to America’s toughest housing challenges.
  • The senior policy director reports directly to NHC’s president and CEO and is a member of the senior management team and supervises NHC’s policy associate(s) and interns.
  • This position is based in Washington, DC. It is not a remote or virtual position, and the selected candidate must be able to work on-site regularly.

Responsibilities

  • Work with NHC’s Policy and Research Committee members and staff to identify and articulate NHC’s policy priorities and legislative agenda that will support the development and preservation of affordable housing nationwide.
  • Represent NHC on public policy issues related to affordable housing and coordinate the deployment of the intellectual resources of NHC to advance key NHC policy priorities. Develop relationships with members of Congress and their staff, heads of federal agencies and their staff, and coalition partners.
  • Advocate for NHC’s policy priorities at the national level through the development of policy briefs, testimony for hearings, outreach to and involvement of NHC members, and direct advocacy to Congress and the administration.
  • Convene NHC members and national partners, through NHC taskforces and working groups, to coordinate activities and build consensus on key issues and tap their expertise to inform NHC policy The director also will represent NHC on broader coalitions and taskforces.
  • Review and track proposed legislation that intersects with NHC’s policy
  • Work collaboratively with NHC members and staff focused on state and local housing issues to determine how national housing policy could better support effective state and local housing strategies.
  • Collaborate with NHC’s Research team on a wide range of housing policy issues, including the production of NHC’s weekly Member Brief on key housing policy developments in Washington and other relevant briefs and The Policy and Research teams also work hand-in-hand to author comment letters.
  • Work with NHC’s Marketing and Communications team to articulate policy priorities to NHC members and stakeholders through press releases, publications, and social
  • Host policy forums and events on behalf of NHC and in conjunction with partner
  • Supervise NHC’s policy associate(s) and provide support to other NHC staff, as well as the president and CEO, as needed.
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

  • Ten or more years of experience in the affordable housing field, particularly experience related to the federal role in financing affordable housing and/or community development
  • Experience analyzing and advocating for legislation
  • Knowledge of and experience working with Capitol Hill and Administration
  • Excellent writing, analytical, and oral presentation skills
  • Ability to work well with a broad range of people and in a team environment
  • Adept at building teams and forming productive relationships
  • Experience working on deadlines and managing multiple projects simultaneously
  • A self-starter who can take direction and take the initiative
  • Sense of humor and creative spirit

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please submit the following materials:

  • Cover letter and salary requirements
  • Writing Sample
  • Resume

Email materials with subject line “Senior Policy Director–[Your Name]” to: Amanda Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer, at amitchell@nhc.org

NHC is an equal opportunity employer

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