Regional Director- Central Valley

California Apartment Associa•Sacramento, CA

6h•$100,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The Regional Director is CAA’s principal representative and advocate within an assigned geographic region, representing CAA primarily in Fresno and San Joaquin counties for the Central Valley. The role anticipates and responds to local public policy and political developments affecting rental housing; builds trusted relationships with policymakers, members, and community partners; and integrates advocacy, political strategy, communications, member engagement, and membership development. Reporting to the Executive Vice President, Local Government Affairs, or their designee, the Regional Director partners with CAA’s public affairs, marketing, legal, and communications teams and with CAA members. The position requires sound political judgment, initiative, persuasive communication, creative problem solving, and the ability to translate complex policy into effective regional action. The role monitors and analyzes local policy and political developments, recommends and carries out advocacy strategies, represents CAA before public bodies and stakeholders, supports political affairs, and communicates regional developments to members and CAA leadership. It also develops member engagement, grassroots advocacy, regional coalitions, and membership recruitment and retention, while maintaining current knowledge and records of regional issues and activities. Regular travel within the assigned region and attendance at evening governmental, political, and community meetings are required. CAA offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience. Additional benefits include health insurance and a 401(k) with employer contribution.

Requirements

Experience in government affairs, legislative advocacy, political campaigns, association management, public policy, real estate, or a related field.
Strong understanding of local government, legislative, and political processes, with the ability to analyze complex ordinances, regulations, and policy proposals.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate persuasively with members, policymakers, and the public.
Strong political judgment, strategic thinking, and relationship-development skills.
Ability to work independently, collaborate across departments, and manage multiple jurisdictions, issues, deadlines, and priorities.
Ability to travel regularly within the assigned region and attend evening governmental, political, and community meetings as required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, government, communications, business, real estate, or a related field preferred.
Knowledge of rental housing, real estate, housing policy, or California local government highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Monitor city councils, county boards, housing authorities, rent boards, and other local bodies for proposals affecting rental housing providers.
Serve as a key point of contact to identified state legislators in the region and partner with CAA’s state government affairs team to build relationships and advocate in legislators’ districts.
Analyze ordinances, regulations, ballot measures, and administrative actions; identify emerging threats and opportunities.
Recommend CAA positions and advocacy strategies, including whether to pursue coalition engagement, member mobilization, legal review, research, polling, communications, or political involvement.
Represent CAA before elected bodies, agencies, commissions, and stakeholder groups; meet with policymakers and staff to advance CAA priorities.
Prepare testimony, talking points, policy summaries, position letters, and other advocacy materials.
Track regional trends with potential to spread to other jurisdictions or have statewide implications, and coordinate cross-department responses.
Assess the regional political environment and elections that may materially affect rental housing policy.
Develop relationships with candidates, elected officials, consultants, and community leaders; participate in candidate recruitment, evaluation, and interviews as appropriate.
Prepare candidate background materials, political assessments, and recommendations for CAAPAC and/or CAA Independent Expenditure Committee trustees.
Coordinate political activity with CAA’s Political Affairs program and provide post-election analysis of implications for regional advocacy.
Work with the EVP to prepare and present pertinent information to the CAA Local Government Affairs Committee.
Work with CAA members to identify emerging issues, gather member perspectives, strengthen advocacy strategies, and cultivate future volunteer leaders.
Help plan and conduct at least two regional membership meetings annually, as well as briefings, webinars, or calls when significant developments warrant additional engagement.
Maintain regular contact with major rental housing providers and key members to understand concerns and deepen participation in CAA programs.
Prepare regular communications to regional members on important issues and promptly communicate significant developments to CAA leadership and members.
Translate complex policy into clear, practical information and work with Communications to develop calls to action, testimony, letters, emails, and talking points.
Recruit and coordinate members for public hearings and policymaker meetings, identifying credible voices and operational examples that strengthen CAA’s advocacy.
Support membership recruitment and retention by demonstrating the value of CAA advocacy, legal and compliance resources, education, forms, communications, and other member services.
Partner with Membership and Marketing to identify prospects, growth opportunities, and opportunities for regional expertise to strengthen outreach.
Build productive relationships with chambers of commerce, business and real estate groups, housing organizations, community partners, and other regional influencers.
Maintain current knowledge of the region’s rental housing market, regulatory landscape, and political environment; provide regular strategic assessments to CAA management.
Maintain appropriate records of major proposals, policymaker contacts, advocacy activities, political developments, and outcomes.