Tenant Advocacy & Engagement Manager

Community Alliance of Tenants • Portland, OR

5d • $75,000 - $90,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Tenant Advocacy & Engagement Manager provides strategic leadership with advocacy initiatives, and community engagement efforts such as tenant organizing. This position oversees Tenant Advocacy & Engagement staff, builds strong relationships with tenants and community partners, and advances policy and systems change to improve housing conditions and tenant protections. The role combines people-centered leadership, campaign strategy, and community-based advocacy.

Requirements

• Strong writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Lived experience or understanding of race-based disparities.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience in public speaking or training.
• Strong commitment to advancing anti-racist practices, equity, restorative justice, and leadership development within low-income renter communities and communities of color.
• Experience working with diverse groups — across race, class, ability, gender, and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to remain calm and think clearly in high-stress or crisis situations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, and database systems (e.g., HMIS Community Services).
• Reliable transportation and ability to transport materials.
• Must live in Oregon or Washington within proximity of Portland or tri-county region to be in-person at events.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with BIPOC communities impacted by housing instability.
• Knowledge of Renters’ Rights and Landlord-Tenant Law.
• Multilingual skills, multicultural lived experience, and/or prior work with culturally diverse communities.
• Experience centering Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrant and refugee, communities most harmed by the housing crisis.
• Personal experience with housing instability.
• Experience working in a mission-driven or community-based organization.
• Collaborative leadership style with a commitment to equity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support tenant organizing campaigns focused on housing stability, tenant rights, and equitable housing policies
• Develop leadership pathways for tenants, including trainings, workshops, and leadership development programs
• Support tenant associations, councils, and coalitions in building collective power
• Ensure organizing strategies are inclusive, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed
• Contribute to strategic initiatives aligned with CAT’s 2025–2027 Strategic Plan.
• Develop and implement advocacy strategies aligned with organizational priorities
• Collaborate with tenants to identify policy goals and campaign demands
• Represent the organization in coalitions, public forums, and meetings with elected officials and agency staff
• Support tenant participation in hearings, public testimony, and advocacy actions
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community-based organizations, service providers, and advocacy partners
• Facilitate community meetings, listening sessions, and outreach activities
• Serve as a trusted liaison between tenants, community stakeholders, and the organization
• Strengthening community visibility and engagement through events and collaborative initiatives
• Make hotline calls or provide in-person consultation to renters, utilizing Landlord-Tenant law and Fair Housing training and information.
• Supervise, coach, and support organizing and community engagement staff
• Set goals, monitor progress, and evaluate program outcomes
• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic planning and organizational development
• Support grant reporting, data collection, and documentation related to organizing and engagement work
• Work cross-functionally with program, finance, and administrative teams to align organizational priorities and impact.
• Represent the organization professionally with members, donors, partners, and at public or community events.
• Attend community events with flexible scheduling.
• Utilize standard office software and reporting tools.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 100% paid medical and dental coverage for employees and their dependents (subject to change based on grant renewal periods).
• Oregon Sick Leave.
• Personal Time Off with a minimum of 120 hours (10 days) per year.
• Family Leave after 180 days (6 months) of employment.
• Opportunity to participate in the Oregon Saves Roth IRA program.
• Flexible hours and scheduling offered as pertinent to your team's requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed