Managing Director of Policy & Advocacy

Fair Share Housing Center • Cherry Hill, NJ

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Managing Director of Policy & Advocacy provides strategic leadership for Fair Share Housing Center’s policy and advocacy agenda, ensuring alignment across the organization’s policy, organizing, and communications functions. This senior leadership role develops and oversees integrated strategies that advance ambitious policy campaigns at the local, state, and national levels while leading and growing a multidisciplinary team of policy, organizing, and communications professionals. The Managing Director will serve as a prominent public voice for the organization in both statewide and national settings during a pivotal moment for housing policy. Building on FSHC’s decades of success, the organization is well-positioned to capitalize on significant momentum created by A4/S50, strong partnerships with community partners and legislative leaders, and a new gubernatorial administration that has made housing reform a priority through sweeping executive action. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Managing Director serves as a key member of FSHC’s leadership team. The person in this position partners closely with the Executive Director to help set organizational strategy, ensure strong alignment across FSHC’s policy, legal, planning, and administrative functions, and foster a collaborative and generative workplace.

Requirements

• Demonstrated commitment to racial & economic justice and alignment with FSHC’s mission & values
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum of 7-10 years of increasingly responsible experience in public policy, advocacy, organizing, or related fields, with substantial leadership and management experience
• Demonstrated success leading complex policy, advocacy, or coalition campaigns and advancing meaningful policy change.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, allocate resources effectively, and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated success in managing and supervising a diverse team of professionals at various levels
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and build alignment among diverse stakeholders, teams, and organizational priorities
• Strong leadership and strategic planning skills, with the ability to develop, implement, and evaluate long-term and short-term advocacy strategies
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to craft compelling messages and deliver them effectively across various platforms and to represent the organization in high-level meetings and presentations
• Proficiency in media relations, including experience with developing integrated communications and advocacy strategies
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders, including community leaders, government officials, and coalition partners, with a preference for experience working in New Jersey
• Grounding in community organizing and experience strategically engaging partners and building strong coalitions to win effective change
• High level of initiative and ability to work independently, as well as part of a collaborative team
• Innovative thinker with a proactive approach to problem-solving
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing circumstances

Nice To Haves

• Law degree preferred; will consider alternative advanced degree and/or work experience that demonstrates ability to lead advocacy campaigns, including the ability to analyze and negotiate complex legislative and regulatory policies

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee FSHC’s policy advocacy agenda & strategy on the local, state, & national levels
• Develop and lead FSHC’s advocacy agenda, including establishing short- and long-term priorities and goals.
• Direct and oversee FSHC’s policy advocacy efforts, including: local, state, and federal lobbying; regulatory advocacy; and drafting and reviewing proposed legislation and regulations.
• Develop and oversee multi-faceted advocacy strategies across the organization that include community engagement and strategic communications to educate, motivate, and influence target audiences to advance policy priorities on the local, state, and national levels.
• Oversee strategies and staff responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key constituencies, coalition partners, community leaders and government stakeholders at the local, state, and national levels.
• Oversee a comprehensive community engagement strategy that includes speaking engagements, digital communications, organizing and coalition building, and education and training opportunities.
• Identify, evaluate, and oversee special projects and strategic opportunities that expand FSHC’s reach, influence, and impact.
• Direct and oversee engagement with advocates and government officials in other states to share strategy and policy and help advance housing justice policies nationally.
• Represent FSHC at local, state, and national events.
• Oversee media relations and ensure communications strategies effectively advance the organization’s priorities and objectives.
• Develop overall organizational strategy for events in collaboration with policy, communications, and development staff to advance advocacy, fundraising, and organizational goals.
• Oversee development and stewardship of FSHC’s brand identity to strengthen recognition of the organization’s mission, impact, and leadership.
• Supervise and provide leadership to members of the Policy & Advocacy team by establishing priorities, managing performance, providing coaching and professional development, and ensuring accountability for departmental goals and organizational priorities.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and other Managing Directors to develop organizational goals, strategy, and operations across teams, including engaging the legal and planning expertise and staff of the organization in policy and advocacy.
• Analyze staffing and resource needs for Policy & Advocacy team and participate in annual budgeting, staffing, and organizational planning processes to align departmental needs with organizational capacity.
• Play a leadership role in implementing FSHC’s five-year organizational strategic plan.
• Serve as thought partner to the Executive Director on organizational strategy around policy and advocacy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities in fulfilling essential functions
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Environment of mutual respect, free from harassment and discrimination
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Fair and merit-based decisions related to hiring, compensating, training, evaluating performance, or terminating
• Accessible application process for individuals with disabilities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive