Senior Associate, Housing

Department: Program

Reports to: Director of Housing

Status: Full-time/Non-Exempt

Location: Remote; Must reside and be authorized to work in the United States of America

About PolicyLink

PolicyLink is a national research and action institute working to build a future where all people in the United States of America can participate in a flourishing multiracial democracy, prosper in an equitable economy, and live in thriving communities of opportunity. PolicyLink advocates for groundbreaking policy and practice changes using a results framework focused on creating a nation that works for all. Visit https://www.policylink.org to learn more about us.

Housing and Land Justice Portfolio

For over two decades, PolicyLink has worked to ensure that everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing that connects them to opportunity. The Housing Team addresses persistent racial and economic inequities by advancing inclusionary zoning, antidisplacement strategies, and fair housing policies. We collaborate with frontline organizing groups and national advocacy organizations to advocate for equitable housing policies at the local, state, and federal levels. Our approach combines research, advocacy, and coalition-building to protect residents from displacement, preserve affordable housing, and expand the supply of affordable housing in ways that promote spatial justice, equity, and inclusion.

Position Overview

The PolicyLink Housing Team is seeking a Senior Associate to play a critical role in advancing initiatives focused on housing equity and land justice. Reporting to the Director of Housing, the Senior Associate will collaborate closely with the director and other senior associates to develop and execute strategic priorities across the housing portfolio. This includes contributing to key initiatives such as the Spatial Futures Initiative and advancing a housing research agenda that bridges housing, racial justice, equitable land use, economic justice, environmental justice, and spatial justice. Emphasizing the intersections between environmental justice and climate resilience, this role will help shape policies that address historical injustices and support communities in adapting to climate challenges.

Additionally, the Senior Associate will support cross-program collaboration within PolicyLink, particularly with the Winning on Equity in Places program. Together,, the Housing Team and Winning on Equity in Places Team will work to innovate local and state policies that promote equitable capital investments and leverage collaborative governance, positioning grassroots leaders as essential voices in decision-making processes, especially for communities of color and historically disinvested areas.

This position is a three-year termed position with the possibility of being renewed, dependent on program and funding needs.

Responsibilities

Program Development and Collaboration

• Collaborate to develop tools and share knowledge and research to equip movement leaders, policymakers, and funders with bold, actionable ideas for achieving housing justice, land restitution, community land stewardship, and environmental justice.
• Respond to research and policy analysis support requests related to housing and land justice from local leaders and organizations.
• Align the Winning on Equity in Places portfolio's policy, programmatic, and investment activities with the Housing Team’s perspectives to inform recommended strategies within the place-based portfolio. Support cross-team communication and collaboration across the organization on housing, land use, and climate and environmental justice policies, programs, and issues.
  
  

Policy Research and Analysis

• Conduct independent research, including literature reviews, case studies, and interviews and site visits on existing land use, housing, economic, and environmental policies and practices, with a close examination of the racial and environmental inequities built into these policies.
• Track emerging trends, literature, policy development and debates on housing, land use, climate, and environmental justice issues.
• Research innovative insurance programs and alternative models for disaster recovery, mitigation, and resilience, focusing on financially sustainable models that prevent climate displacement.
• Support the development of a framework that incorporates reparative spatial justice principles into climate and environmental policy.
  
  

Thought Leadership and Policy Advocacy

• Author and co-author reports, policy briefs, memos, op-eds, and blog posts focused on innovative public and private sector models, best practices, and federal, state, and local policy initiatives that advance meaningful housing and land use solutions within the reparative spatial justice framework.
• Develop and advocate for federal policy proposals that draw upon successful local and state practices, addressing urgent issues like affordable housing, land equity, tenant protections, and climate resilience.
• Contribute to the Housing Team’s efforts in building and leveraging federal relationships to advance a reparative spatial justice framework across housing and environmental policies.
• Develop targeted policy proposals addressing the specific environmental and housing needs of communities, considering both homeowners and renters in strategies to facilitate climate adaptation and resilience.
  
  

Community and Coalition Building

• Work with the Housing Team and network partners to build and manage learning communities and fellowship cohorts focused on advancing equitable housing and land use policies and practices.
• Work closely with national advocacy organizations and coalitions to shape and promote federal housing policies that are informed by local experiences, ensuring that grassroots voices and strategies influence policy on a national scale.
• Prospect and continue to build meaningful relationships with movement leaders, grassroots organizers, advocates, aligned organizations, and national coalitions focusing on reparative spatial justice, climate, and environmental justice.
  
  

Strategic Project and Grant Management

• Guide strategic goals for housing at PolicyLink in close consultation with the Housing Team and Leadership Team at PolicyLink.
• Execute high-impact PolicyLink projects, ensuring timely delivery, excellence, and policy influence.
• Partner in local, state, and federal advocacy on housing and land equity and engage in peer-learning opportunities, including training sessions and webinars, to bolster housing justice leadership capacity.
• Oversee grants and project budgets to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
  
  

External Representation and Communication

• Act as a PolicyLink spokesperson on housing policy, representing the organization in meetings, conferences, and before policymakers, government leaders, advocates, and funders.
• Coordinate with the media as necessary to promote housing policy priorities.
  
  

Desired Skills, Abilities, And Knowledge

• Previous experience in housing, community development, policy advocacy, and/or community organizing.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to take charge of projects and drive them forward.
• Extensive experience in coalition building, management, and support.
• Ability to effectively manage a full workload and remain committed to tasks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work well with diverse groups of people.
• Passion for supporting housing, land use, and climate justice initiatives.
• Self-starter with strong time management skills, capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability for critical, independent, and creative thinking, while collaborating across teams.
• Strong research and analytical skills, particularly in housing and environmental policies.
• In-depth knowledge of or interest in current issues related to housing justice, antidisplacement strategies, and climate/environmental justice.
• Experience working in coalitions, managing dynamics, and building relationships across organizations.
  
  

Education And Experience Qualifications

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in a related field, preferably within a racial justice nonprofit organization addressing similar issues.
• Strong commitment to advancing racial justice, economic, and social equity, with experience working alongside low-income communities of color to develop and implement solutions.
• Master's degree in planning, community development, public policy, public health, or a related field, along with relevant experience.
  
  

Work Environment

This is a fast-paced, complex work environment that requires occasional weekend and evening work assignments. The position will involve leading and participating in frequent remote video and telephone conferences. It is a 100% remote position, though travel to other locations will be required.

Compensation And Benefits

PolicyLink offers competitive salaries commensurate with the experience and skills of our employees. The salary range for this position is $90,000 – $125,000 .

Additionally, PolicyLink Provides a Comprehensive Benefits Package That Includes

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) with employer and employer-matching contributions that vest immediately. New employees are eligible to participate within one month of their date of hire.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Group term life insurance plus guaranteed-issue voluntary life insurance.
• Unlimited vacation and sick leave and other generous leave benefits.
• Three required organization reset weeks plus 13 paid holidays.
  
  

To Apply

We accept online applications only. Please note that the application includes two written prompts that are required. Candidates should provide thoughtful and complete responses to the prompts; incomplete answers will not be considered.

No phone calls please. Only those selected to participate in our hiring process will be contacted.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

PolicyLink strongly values equity and believes in a just and fair society where all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. We work toward a more inclusive world and as such we are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, skin color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood. PolicyLink is committed to maintaining a diverse and multicultural working environment.

Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire.

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