Head of Policy and External Affairs - Washington - Cedar

Description

About Cedar

Cedar is creating the most significant innovation in home affordability since the 30-year mortgage. By reimagining the land lease as a consumer-first model, Cedar makes homeownership more accessible and sustainable for a wider range of buyers.

About The Role

As Head of Policy & External Affairs at Cedar, you will own Cedar's engagement with regulators, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and mission‑aligned organizations. This role is responsible for ensuring Cedar's products are understood, viewed favorably, and able to operate and scale within the evolving regulatory landscape. You will serve as Cedar's primary interface with federal housing and finance institutions (including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA), Congressional stakeholders, industry participants, and nonprofits. You will work closely with the CEO, Product Lead, VP Growth, and external advisors to align policy, messaging, and go‑to‑market strategy. This is a senior, high‑trust role for someone who understands housing policy, financial regulation, and how to build durable relationships across government, industry, and advocacy groups.

What You'll Do

Regulatory & Policy Engagement

• Build and manage relationships with key federal housing and finance institutions (e.g., Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA)


• Engage with Congressional offices, regulators, and policy staff on housing affordability issues


• Help ensure Cedar operates within existing regulatory frameworks while advocating for clear, fair enforcement


• Monitor and interpret changes in housing, finance, and regulatory policy that impact Cedar's business

External Affairs & Industry Relationships

• Represent Cedar with industry participants, trade groups, and nonprofit organizations


• Build coalitions with mission‑aligned partners focused on housing affordability and access


• Position Cedar as a constructive, credible participant in policy and industry discussions

Product & Messaging Alignment

• Partner with Product and Engineering to ensure regulatory considerations inform product design


• Work closely with Marketing and external PR partners to ensure consistent, accurate, and effective messaging


• Help shape how Cedar's model is explained to regulators, partners, media, and the public

Go-To-Market Enablement

• Support Sales and Partnerships by helping build trust‑based distribution channels


• Assist in opening doors with regulated institutions and large partners


• Provide policy and regulatory context that accelerates deal‑making

What We Need

We are looking for a policy and external affairs leader with strong judgment, credibility, and relationship‑building skills. You should have direct experience working with housing finance institutions, regulators, policymakers, or closely related industry participants. You understand how regulation, enforcement, and public perception shape the success of financial and housing products. You are comfortable navigating ambiguity, influencing without authority, and translating complex policy dynamics into clear guidance for internal teams. Experience in housing policy, mortgage finance, government affairs, or regulated financial services is essential. This role requires someone who can operate strategically while also executing tactically. As a start‑up, this will be an individual contributor role to start working with colleagues – can expect some headcount support in late '26.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in public policy, government affairs, regulatory strategy, or related roles


• Direct experience engaging with housing finance institutions, regulators, or legislative bodies


• Strong understanding of housing, mortgage, or consumer finance policy


• Experience working with industry groups, nonprofits, or advocacy organizations


• Ability to collaborate closely with product, marketing, and sales teams


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Why Choose Cedar?

• Take real ownership early – the work is not theoretical


• Grow through direct feedback, rigorous debate, and steep responsibility


• Be pushed to develop judgment, not just skills


• Build a track record that compounds – responsibility scales with performance

Cedar is built for people who want to operate at a very high level on work that matters. We run a true owner's culture: high standards, direct feedback, fast iteration, and accountability to outcomes. You'll have real responsibility early, you'll be expected to think—not just execute—and you'll be surrounded by teammates who push hard and care deeply about excellence. This is not a company for people who need perfect clarity, gentle consensus, or predictable routines. The pace is fast, the problems are complex, and the bar is high. But the upside is rare: steep growth, meaningful autonomy, and the chance to do career‑defining work with a team that treats the mission seriously and rewards success well. If you want comfort, you won't like it here. If you want to build, learn, and win—Cedar is the place.

Compensation Range: $150K - $450K