Director of Policy - California, United States - San Diego Housing Commission

Description

WHAT WE DO

For more than 40 years, the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) has provided essential housing services to families and individuals with low-income and experiencing homelessness in the City of San Diego. SDHC has earned a national reputation as a model public housing agency, creating innovative programs to address the housing crisis in the City of San Diego – the eighth largest city in the nation and the second largest in California.

SDHC's properties provide essential housing for seniors, families, and permanent supportive housing participants. The portfolio includes a wide range of units, including multifamily high-rise buildings, single-family homes, Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) units, and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). SDHC also partners with third-party resident service providers to offer onsite supportive services for residents at many of these properties. For more information about SDHC, please visit:

LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

Our vision: everyone in the City of San Diego has a home they can afford. This vision is both the foundation of our organizational culture and the shared commitment amongst our 390 team members across the agency. Leading us in this important work is Lisa Jones, an accomplished and long-serving executive at the Commission who was recently promoted into the role of President and Chief Executive Officer. In her more than 20 years of service in the areas of affordable housing and homelessness, Lisa has developed and implemented housing assistance approaches that focus on the unique needs of clients. Formerly serving as the SDHC's Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, she is just the sixth leader in the agency's 45-year history, reflecting the agency's stability, financial strength, and dedication to developing and advancing talented leaders from within the organization.

The Director of Public Policy will report to Molly Weber, SDHC's Chief Strategy Officer. Molly is a seasoned policy and land use leader with hands-on experience directing strategic initiatives, building internal systems, and leading effective teams. Prior to joining SDHC, she served more than eight years with the City of San Diego in various senior-level positions including as Chief of Staff to now Assemblymember Chris Ward.

SDHC is committed to training, development, and internal promotion, within a stable culture that supports team members personally and professionally. Our exceptional employee benefits package is another reflection of that commitment to building tenure and strong professional expertise.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary – $120,000 - $140,000 DOE
• 9/80 compressed work schedule with alternating Fridays off
• Employer-paid pension contribution of 14% to base salary
• 457 tax-deferred savings plan with a 1.5% employer match
• Compensation for exceeding performance expectations
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Flexible spending account
• PTO: 28 days of annual leave, 14 paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 annually, training opportunities, and mentoring program
• Wellness and employee assistance programs
• Rewards and recognition program
• Car allowance
• For more information on SDHC's benefits package, please visit: .

LOCATION

This is a hybrid role with an office located at 1122 Broadway, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Chief Strategy and Policy Officer, the Director of Policy is responsible for developing and implementing SDHC's policy platform and advocating for resources to help implement strategic initiatives and deliver more resources to help San Diegans. This is a highly visible position, interfacing with a wide array of colleagues and stakeholders, both internally and externally, including members of the Housing Authority and their staff, members of the SDHC Board of Commissioners, senior SDHC staff, the government officials at the federal and state level, statewide coalitions, community partners, and more. This position will leverage and expand relationships with these stakeholders to share SDHC programs and policy recommendations, secure funding, and shape legislation affecting SDHC and its clients.

The Director will join a dynamic team of policy professionals and consultants working collaboratively to advocate for SDHC and its clients. Each team member is committed to SDHC's mission and cares deeply about their work.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Track, analyze and understand legislation and regulations at the federal, state and local levels that affect the SDHC and its work.
• In collaboration with the CEO and Chief Policy and Strategy Officer, establish a policy agenda and priorities for the policy team to implement.
• Develop, direct, and coordinate relationships with elected officials, agencies, industry organizations, and their staff members; meet regularly with federal, state, and local delegations to strengthen relationships and develop effective plans to advance SDHC's work.
• Lead advocacy and engagement efforts at the state level, create an annual legislative engagement guide, identify potential legislation to sponsor, and participate in statewide housing coalitions.
• Analyze and report on policy developments, ensuring SDHC's leadership is fully briefed on legislative matters; make strategic recommendations accordingly.
• Advocate for policies and budget allocations reflective of SDHC and Housing Authority priorities.
• Manage SDHC's Sacramento-based consultant responsible for (pull from contract SOW).
• Lead the policy team to review docket materials, draft briefs on federal and state legislation, and oversee consultant reports on topics to be identified by the Housing Authority.
• Continuously enhance the policy team's processes and workflow to ensure effectiveness, efficiency, quality, and timeliness.
• Serve as a public representative for the SDHC, providing testimony before City Council, at the State Capitol, and throughout San Diego
• Represent the commission on stakeholder boards and at meetings hosted by community partners, including the Housing Federation Policy Committee and the Home Builders Alliance.
• Build effective and trusting relationships with divisions and teams across the agency to cultivate a collective understanding of policy and how it impacts and/or supports SDHC's mission.
• Supervise a consultant, Senior Program Analyst, and future support staff.

BACKGROUND PROFILE

• Mission-driven and passionate about helping people.
• Experience engaging with government entities at the federal, state, and local levels, including advocacy, relationship-building, and navigating government processes to advance policy objectives.
• Demonstrated management experience, with a strategic and hands-on approach to problem-solving and the ability to work collaboratively to help team members achieve their goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to articulate complex policy issues clearly and persuasively to various audiences.
• Adept in budget development and management, contract administration, and general risk management principles.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to conduct comprehensive policy research, assess potential impacts, and provide evidence-based recommendations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with external partners to build coalitions, alliances, and partnerships in support of policy objectives.
• Knowledge of ethical standards and legal requirements related to policy development and advocacy, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Skilled at change management with a solutions-based approach to challenges and opportunities.

COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY

SDHC employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID as a condition of employment. Candidates who receive a conditional job offer and wish to make a request for accommodation will be provided with more information. SDHC will review requests for medical or religious accommodation on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.