Community Engagement Manager

Seattle Social Housing Developer•Seattle, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Community Engagement Manager is responsible for building and sustaining trust between SSHD and the communities it serves — both the future residents of SSHD's acquisitions and the neighbors surrounding its new construction sites. This role leads the deployment of SSHD's Affirmative Marketing Plan, ensuring equitable outreach and access to housing opportunities for protected classes and historically underserved communities, and leads lottery pop-up events that bring information about SSHD's housing directly to residents across the city. The Community Engagement Manager also holds community meetings with future residents of SSHD acquisitions and with neighbors near new construction sites, translating SSHD's work into clear, accessible visuals, narrative, and communications materials for audiences that vary widely in class, race, ethnicity, and ability. A central part of the role is power mapping community support in neighborhoods surrounding new construction areas, helping SSHD anticipate concerns, build coalitions, and engage proactively rather than reactively. This role sits within the Communications and Public Affairs Department and works in close partnership with property acquisitions, development, and resident engagement staff to ensure community voice and support are built into SSHD's growth from the earliest stages.

Requirements

Demonstrated organizing experience, with a track record of building trust and relationships across diverse communities.
Demonstrated ability to speak effectively to audiences that vary in class, race, ethnicity, and ability.
Excellent and disciplined written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information into clear, accessible materials and narratives for varied audiences.
Strong program development skills, with the ability to design and execute community engagement initiatives from concept to completion.
Demonstrated ability to excel in high-paced, high-conflict environments while maintaining professionalism and sound judgment.
Demonstrated ability to organize and execute community events for audiences with varying levels of support for SSHD's mission, including logistics, promotion, and facilitation.
Experience working in housing, affordable housing, or a related field.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with communications, design, or community engagement platforms.
Bachelor's degree in communications, public administration, community development, urban planning, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
Demonstrated professional experience in community organizing, community engagement, or resident services, ideally within housing or a related field.
Experience developing and executing outreach or affirmative marketing efforts, particularly with historically underserved or protected-class communities.
Experience working with diverse populations, particularly in affordable housing, multifamily housing, or community-based settings.
Experience coordinating events or initiatives that require managing multiple priorities and stakeholders.
Must pass a background check.
Ability to work evenings and weekends and adjust schedule to support community meetings, lottery pop-ups, and events.
Ability to travel within the Seattle area as needed for meetings, pop-ups, and site visits.
Ability to adapt to shifting priorities and take on additional responsibilities as the role and organization evolve.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual or multilingual skills relevant to the communities SSHD serves.
Experience working within social housing models, public housing authorities, or Community Land Trusts (CLTs).
Familiarity with fair housing law and affirmative marketing requirements.
Experience with power mapping, coalition building, or stakeholder analysis.
Experience working in or with public sector or quasi-public agencies.

Responsibilities

Lead deployment of SSHD's Affirmative Marketing Plan, ensuring outreach and lease-up processes equitably reach protected classes and historically underserved communities.
Lead lottery pop-up events around the city to raise awareness of, and access to, SSHD's housing opportunities.
Hold community meetings with future residents of SSHD acquisitions and with neighbors near new construction sites, building trust and communicating clear, accurate information about SSHD's projects.
Serve as a visible, approachable point of contact for future residents and surrounding community members throughout pre-development and acquisition phases.
Develop and use visuals, narrative, and other communications mediums such as print, digital, and in-person meetings to translate SSHD's work into accessible information for the communities it serves.
Tailor messaging and materials for audiences that vary in class, race, ethnicity, and ability, ensuring communications are inclusive and effective.
Power map community support and opposition in neighborhoods surrounding new construction sites to inform outreach and engagement strategy.
Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, resident groups, and local stakeholders to strengthen SSHD's standing and support base.