Managing Director of Policy & Advocacy

ABOUT FAIR SHARE HOUSING CENTER

Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC) is a nonprofit advocacy organization that uses legal, policy, and community-building strategies to dismantle decades of racial and economic discrimination in New Jersey and nationally that excludes people from the opportunity to live in safe, healthy, and affordable housing. For more than 50 years, FSHC has had a profound impact on housing and land use policy in New Jersey and helped shape fair housing policy nationwide. 

FSHC has played a leading role in establishing, defending, and advancing New Jersey’s landmark Mount Laurel Doctrine, which has resulted in more than 75,000 affordable homes in communities that otherwise would have excluded lower-income families. We also secured the largest settlement under the federal Fair Housing Act in U.S. history, setting a national precedent for fair housing enforcement. 

More recently, FSHC spearheaded passage of the Fair Chance in Housing Act—the first statewide law of its kind in the nation to protect people with prior criminal legal involvement from discrimination in the rental housing market. FSHC also led the coalition that secured passage of New Jersey’s landmark 2024 affordable housing legislation, A4/S50. Since that time, we have engaged with over 400 New Jersey municipalities to implement the law by reforming local housing and zoning policies to expand opportunities for affordable housing—efforts which are expected to result in an additional 50,000 affordable homes across the state over the coming decade.

As housing affordability has emerged as one of the defining policy issues of our time, and as movements for racial justice have underscored the importance of equitable housing, FSHC’s leadership has never been more critical. Today, the organization is uniquely positioned to drive transformative policy change at the local, state, and national levels.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Managing Director of Policy & Advocacy provides strategic leadership for Fair Share Housing Center’s policy and advocacy agenda, ensuring alignment across the organization’s policy, organizing, and communications functions. This senior leadership role develops and oversees integrated strategies that advance ambitious policy campaigns at the local, state, and national levels while leading and growing a multidisciplinary team of policy, organizing, and communications professionals. 

The Managing Director will serve as a prominent public voice for the organization in both statewide and national settings during a pivotal moment for housing policy. Building on FSHC’s decades of success, the organization is well-positioned to capitalize on significant momentum created by A4/S50, strong partnerships with community partners and legislative leaders, and a new gubernatorial administration that has made housing reform a priority through sweeping executive action. 

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Managing Director serves as a key member of FSHC’s leadership team. The person in this position partners closely with the Executive Director to help set organizational strategy, ensure strong alignment across FSHC’s policy, legal, planning, and administrative functions, and foster a collaborative and generative workplace. 

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and oversee FSHC’s policy advocacy agenda & strategy on the local, state, & national levels
  
  
  
  • Develop and lead FSHC’s advocacy agenda, including establishing short- and long-term priorities and goals.
  
  
  • Direct and oversee FSHC’s policy advocacy efforts, including: local, state, and federal lobbying; regulatory advocacy; and drafting and reviewing proposed legislation and regulations.
  
  
  • Develop and oversee multi-faceted advocacy strategies across the organization that include community engagement and strategic communications to educate, motivate, and influence target audiences to advance policy priorities on the local, state, and national levels.
  
  
  • Oversee strategies and staff responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key constituencies, coalition partners, community leaders and government stakeholders at the local, state, and national levels.
  
  
  • Oversee a comprehensive community engagement strategy that includes speaking engagements, digital communications, organizing and coalition building, and education and training opportunities.
  
  
  • Identify, evaluate, and oversee special projects and strategic opportunities that expand FSHC’s reach, influence, and impact.
  
  
  • Direct and oversee engagement with advocates and government officials in other states to share strategy and policy and help advance housing justice policies nationally. 
  
  
  • Represent FSHC at local, state, and national events.
  
  
  
  


• Strengthen FSHC’s External Profile with Key Audiences 
  
  
  
  • Oversee media relations and ensure communications strategies effectively advance the organization’s priorities and objectives.
  
  
  • Develop overall organizational strategy for events in collaboration with policy, communications, and development staff to advance advocacy, fundraising, and organizational goals.
  
  
  • Oversee development and stewardship of FSHC’s brand identity to strengthen recognition of the organization’s mission, impact, and leadership.
  
  
  
  


• Provide Organizational and Team Leadership 
  
  
  
  • Supervise and provide leadership to members of the Policy & Advocacy team by establishing priorities, managing performance, providing coaching and professional development, and ensuring accountability for departmental goals and organizational priorities.
    
  
  
  • Work closely with the Executive Director and other Managing Directors to develop organizational goals, strategy, and operations across teams, including engaging the legal and planning expertise and staff of the organization in policy and advocacy.
  
  
  • Analyze staffing and resource needs for Policy & Advocacy team and participate in annual budgeting, staffing, and organizational planning processes to align departmental needs with organizational capacity.
  
  
  • Play a leadership role in implementing FSHC’s five-year organizational strategic plan.
  
  
  • Serve as thought partner to the Executive Director on organizational strategy around policy and advocacy.
  
  
  
  


• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

FSHC recognizes that an individual’s experience is gained through a wide and diverse range of personal, professional, and educational opportunities. When reviewing applications, we take a broad look at the combined experiences of each candidate. If you think you can do this job but don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to still apply. Below are the skills and values we prioritize:

• Demonstrated commitment to racial & economic justice and alignment with FSHC’s mission & values


• Bachelor’s degree required


• Law degree preferred; will consider alternative advanced degree and/or work experience that demonstrates ability to lead advocacy campaigns, including the ability to analyze and negotiate complex legislative and regulatory policies


• Minimum of 7-10 years of increasingly responsible experience in public policy, advocacy, organizing, or related fields, with substantial leadership and management experience


• Demonstrated success leading complex policy, advocacy, or coalition campaigns and advancing meaningful policy change.


• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, allocate resources effectively, and meet deadlines


• Demonstrated success in managing and supervising a diverse team of professionals at various levels


• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and build alignment among diverse stakeholders, teams, and organizational priorities


• Strong leadership and strategic planning skills, with the ability to develop, implement, and evaluate long-term and short-term advocacy strategies


• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to craft compelling messages and deliver them effectively across various platforms and to represent the organization in high-level meetings and presentations


• Proficiency in media relations, including experience with developing integrated communications and advocacy strategies 


• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders, including community leaders, government officials, and coalition partners, with a preference for experience working in New Jersey 


• Grounding in community organizing and experience strategically engaging partners and building strong coalitions to win effective change


• High level of initiative and ability to work independently, as well as part of a collaborative team


• Innovative thinker with a proactive approach to problem-solving


• High level of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality


• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing circumstances

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of what is typically required to perform the essential functions of this role. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable work environment and will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities in fulfilling these essential functions. These physical demands include: sitting for long periods of time; extensive use of a computer and keyboard, including typing and reviewing documents on a screen; effective communication with team members and external stakeholders, which may involve phone calls, participating in video conferences, and written communications; operating office equipment, including computers, printers, and telephones, which may involve reaching, bending, and occasionally lifting office supplies and materials up to 50 lbs; frequent travel to attend meetings, conferences, or events, which may involve sitting for extended periods during transportation.

LOCATION

This position is primarily remote but requires frequent in-person engagement throughout New Jersey. The individual will be expected to attend meetings, hearings, events, coalition gatherings, and other advocacy and organizing activities throughout the state, including regular evening commitments and occasional weekend commitments.

The position also requires periodic in-person meetings with staff at or near Fair Share Housing Center's offices in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. In-person commitments will vary depending on legislative activity, organizing priorities, and organizational needs; candidates should expect regular travel throughout New Jersey and occasional travel outside the state, including within the New York–Washington corridor and to national conferences or convenings.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Fair Share Housing Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect, free from harassment and discrimination, where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

FSHC believes that diversity and inclusion among our employees are critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Decisions related to hiring, compensating, training, evaluating performance, or terminating are made fairly and are based on merit, competence, and qualifications. FSHC is also committed to making our application process accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should apply online by submitting their resume, cover letter, and *writing sample (see below) at Fair Share’s Careers page. 

https://fairsharehousing.bamboohr.com/careers/. 

WRITING SAMPLE

*As part of the application process for the Managing Director of Policy and Advocacy position, we kindly request that you provide a writing sample. This sample should reflect your policy expertise, analytical skills, and experience in framing important issues for a key audience such as advocates or elected officials. Ideally, it should be a document that you have already authored that best showcases your abilities in this role. Please ensure that any confidential or sensitive information is appropriately redacted.

**All applicants will receive an acknowledgement that their application has been received. Only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted directly by our hiring team. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.