Another Source’s client, Housing Trust of Silicon Valley, is recruiting a Policy and Advocacy Manager to join their team.

Housing Trust provides a flexible work schedule for their team. This position may be based out of either the Oakland or San Jose office. The role is primarily externally focused, with most time spent in the field engaging partners across the Bay Area and the broader 14-county region. While daily office presence is not required, the position should be available to be on site as needed to support meetings and team collaboration. Flexibility and in-person availability throughout the region are key to success in this role.

About Housing Trust Silicon Valley

In 2000, Silicon Valley leaders from the public and private sectors came together to create a new housing trust fund with the goal of fostering and supporting affordable housing solutions for Bay Area residents focusing on homeownership, rental housing, and homelessness prevention. Starting out with an initial $5 million investment from Santa Clara County and local companies Intel, Adobe, and Cisco Systems, the Housing Trust is now one of the largest housing trusts in the nation and boasts a coveted AA- rating from Standard and Poor. The Trust has cumulatively invested $615 million in the creation of more than 27,200 affordable housing opportunities, serving over 50,900 people to date. 

Initially formed as a traditional housing trust fund, the Housing Trust became a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in 2011, providing the organization to expanded access to capital and increased self-sufficiency, among other benefits. The Housing Trust is unique among its peers in that it offers homeownership assistance in addition to multi-family lending.

Learn more about Housing Trust: https://housingtrustsv.org/

About the Role

Reporting to the CEO, you’ll oversee the Housing Trust’s internal and external policy and innovation agenda, creating opportunities for the organization to access new resources, frame and influence housing policy and programs, and build on its profile as a thought leader in the affordable housing space.

The Policy & Adovacy Manager supports the Housing Trust’s goals to impact the housing ecosystem by creating and preserving housing opportunities in the greater Bay Area, engage in innovative affordable housing solutions that are more equitable, reach different incomes, and address climate change, expand opportunities for Housing Trust lending programs, and grow the organization’s reach to ensure greatest impact. In addition to working throughout the Greater Bay Area, the Policy Manager will collaborate with leaders in the nation’s capital and oversee the work of the Housing Trust’s Sacramento lobbyist.

The annual salary range for this position is $110,000-$138,000 based on experience.

Position Responsibilities

Support the CEO and Senior Leadership Team

• Provide the CEO and senior leadership team with key reports, data, insights, and recommendations to support their work and organizational goals.
• Advise on emerging opportunities and innovative approaches in the housing space to contribute to organizational strategy, decision making, and resource allocation.
• Attend meetings with or on behalf of the CEO to represent the Housing Trust, share information about lending programs, and articulate policy positions and priorities.
• Support the CEO in preparing for important policy conversations and meetings by providing detailed analysis and information about agenda items and formulating Housing Trust responses.

Policy Analysis

• Provide strategic advice, manage and implement the Housing Trust policy framework, and ensure alignment of policies with the framework and the organization’s mission and goals.
• Monitor, track, and analyze policy proposals and budget actions that impact the Housing Trust’s priorities.
• Identify and evaluate new subsidies and funding programs made available by the State and other public agencies. Track and report on changes in funding sources and related requirements.
• Connect with partners at the federal level to track key policy and budget actions.
• Oversee the Housing Trust’s lobbyist, provide analysis of priority State housing issues, develop position papers, and prepare talking points.
• Prepare reports, data, and policy updates for the Board’s Lending, Policy, and Innovation Committee.

Engagement and Advocacy

• Cultivate new or deepen existing partnerships, join and build coalitions, and foster cross sector collaboration to provide an opportunity for the Housing Trust to share its knowledge and experience in affordable housing policy and finance.
• Support coalition advocacy efforts, participating in policy conversations, signing on to letters, and representing the Housing Trust at public meetings.
• Maintain relationships with key government staff and staff from policy and advocacy organizations.
• Provide support for affordable housing ballot measure campaigns at the State, regional, and local levels.
• Work with the CEO and communications team to highlight Housing Trust policy and advocacy work.

At a minimum, a successful candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.  
• A minimum of 5- 7 years of experience in policy analysis and research.
• Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local affordable housing programs, policies, regulations, and financing tools. Real estate development and affordable housing lending/housing finance/CDFI experience is a plus.
• Strong understanding of the legislative process and experience analyzing legislation and public sector budget documents.
• Proven track record of collaboration and engagement and an embrace of cross-sector partnerships.
• A creative and innovative problem-solving mindset.
• Strong relationship-building and people skills.
• Exceptional written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to communicate messages succinctly and persuasively.
• Experience in public speaking, giving public testimony, and preparing and participating in panel conversations.
• Proven ability to respond quickly and effectively to changing demands while continually delivering at a level of high performance.   
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively to changing demands while continually delivering exceptional work.   
• Experience working in advocacy or ballot measure campaigns is not required but is a plus.

Benefits:

Housing Trust Silicon Valley offers a comprehensive compensation and benefit package. Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental and Vision benefits fully covered for employees. Eligible dependents covered at 50%.    
• 401K employer contribution at 3% and additional match up to 2%.     
• Three (3) weeks of paid vacation    
• Twelve (12) paid sick days.   
• 11 paid holidays  
• Paid year-end shutdown (for winter holidays)   
• End of year bonus program   
• Tuition reimbursement program and more...

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination

Housing Trust is an equal opportunity employer to all regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, actual or perceived gender identity, age or sexual orientation. Housing Trust is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and our goal is to have a workforce (at all job levels) that is representative of the communities we serve.  

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.