Policy Research Director

Enterprise Community Partners • Washington, DC

2d • $108,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The Research Director works as a key member of Enterprise's Policy Development & Research team, which is part of Public Policy. The Policy Development & Research team provides thought leadership and data-backed recommendations to influence housing and community development policy, addressing both emerging policy issues and long-term needs. We conduct applied research and analysis on a range of issues. The position requires strong project management, data analysis, written and oral communication skills. Self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and as a team player within Enterprise and in conjunction with external research partners is critical for success. The position requires a strong ability to independently manage and prioritize multiple tasks. Reporting to the Vice President for Policy Development, the Research Director will lead the research, analysis, and project management necessary to meet critical deliverables on research grants and other large-scale projects as assigned. The Research Director will also respond to (and identify, where possible) opportunities to fund research projects consistent with their own subject matter expertise and support or lead similar responses for the PD&R team at large. The Research Director will serve as the lead researcher on demand-side housing policies related to low-income and unhoused populations and policy responses related to disaster recovery and mitigation in vulnerable communities. The Research Director is expected to draw upon subject matter expertise in the areas of housing affordability, rural housing needs, climate resilience, and other related fields in service of data-driven policymaking and program development. Research and other work products, including blog posts, issue briefs, white papers, and longer research reports, will be developed for internal and external audiences, and part of the Research Director’s time will be spent disseminating PD&R work.

Requirements

• Master’s degree preferred in public policy, urban planning, economics or related fields that emphasize analyzing and interpreting both quantitative and qualitative information.
• 7+ years relevant work experience, ideally with supervisory or leadership roles; additional work experience may substitute for graduate degree, and additional advanced education may substitute for part of the work experience.
• Subject matter expertise in housing policy, with a particular focus on demand-side housing policies (including but not limited to housing vouchers and homelessness responses) and vulnerable places.
• Candidate should possess substantive knowledge of urban economics, demographics and/or real estate development, as well as experience with common datasets and measurement techniques.
• Have pre-existing relationships with (potential) external collaborators and stakeholders
• Expertise translating and synthesizing quantitative and qualitative research for diverse audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, preferably with editing, publishing and media experience.
• Facility with standard statistical methods and quantitative analysis software. (We are evolving to becoming an R shop.)
• Excellent critical thinking and creative problem-solving.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills; demonstrated ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders and partners.
• Experience reviewing and providing quality assurance on analyses conducted by others.
• Experience managing project budgets, resource tracking, and managing consultants and sub-contractors.
• Experience public speaking, teaching or leading trainings.
• Attention to detail and emphasis on accuracy and quality of work.
• Experience working on highly collaborative teams, both virtually and in-person.
• Curiosity, desire for self-improvement, and excitement about sharing new skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrated commitment to Enterprise’s mission and values.

Responsibilities

• Conduct high-quality research on housing and community development topics as assigned or as identified.
• Lead research on rental assistance, disaster recovery, and mitigation policies using qualitative and quantitative methods, as warranted.
• Write blog posts, issue briefs, white papers, and longer research reports with limited guidance from the VP, Policy Development.
• Identify emerging policy issues that would benefit from grounding in data and conduct “rapid response” research to begin, frame, and inform policy discussions at the Federal and state/local levels.
• Write proposals to respond to funding opportunities, serving as principal investigator on multi-year research grants (as appropriate).
• Manage project-level research staff (internal and external) and oversee administration of research grants, including managing third-party vendors, data providers and consultants as needed.
• Participate in PD&R strategic planning and resource management.
• Work collaboratively across Enterprise to draw on internal expertise to advance research and respond to internal requests for policy-related analytics and knowledge.

Benefits

• Enterprise offers a comprehensive total rewards package for you and your family.
• The base salary for this role is $108,000 to $120,000, depending on level of skills and experience.
• The salary range is just a part of the total rewards package provided to employees at Enterprise, and other rewards may include annual performance bonuses and generous paid leave programs.
• At Enterprise, our benefits form a major component of our total rewards package. Benefits include dental, health, and vision care plans, as well as family-building benefits, such as adoption and surrogacy support.
• Enterprise allows flexible work arrangements to promote a better work-life balance.
• We offer health advocacy, EAP, and mental health benefits.
• We round out our total rewards package by offering financial education, wellness programs, and auto-enrollment in the company's 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions.
• Finally, you will have learning and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement for job-related courses and certifications.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees