Policy Director – Housing & Homelessness Advocacy

CommonWealth Beacon; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Hybrid schedule

Retirement plan with employer match

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance (MHSA) is seeking a Director of Public Policy to lead the development and execution of our advocacy agenda. You will engage with local, state, and federal partners, member organizations, and lived-experience voices to shape MHSA's policy work.

This is a full-time, exempt role reporting to the Chief Policy & Strategy Officer within a small, mission-driven team. You will monitor policy developments, set priorities with the Chief Policy & Strategy Officer,

Qualifications

• 8-10 years experience in advocacy/public policy work.
• Experience tracking and analyzing public policy, developing advocacy strategy, and meeting with policymakers.
• Understanding of the local, state, and federal environment related to housing, homelessness, and health care.
• Commitment to advancing racial and ethnic equity.
• Passion and empathy for the mission of ending homelessness.
• Flexible and collaborative. Eager to dive in, learn as you go, pivot to address emerging priorities, and work collaboratively across MHSA teams.
• Strategic thinker.
• Excellent writing skills with ability to translate complex policy concepts into simple messages; write original content with minimal edits.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills; manage multiple projects and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze federal, state, and local budget and policy issues related to MHSA’s mission.
• Identify advocacy priorities and develop and implement strategy and tactics.
• Lead MHSA’s advocacy work on specific issue areas.
• Organize, lead, and support events including legislative briefings, mobilization calls, member meetings, and webinars.
• Represent MHSA at coalition and committee meetings and external-facing opportunities.
• Develop relationships with policymakers, MHSA members, community partners, and people with lived experience of homelessness.
• Develop compelling advocacy/policy materials for policymakers, partners, and the public; collaborate with MHSA teams on communications and data needs.
• Supervise MHSA interns and volunteers on Policy Team projects.

Skills

Advocacy strategy

Policy analysis

Writing skills

Stakeholder engagement

Public speaking

Collaboration

Massachusetts policy

MS Office

Zoom

Tools

Microsoft Office

Zoom

Job description

Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance (MHSA) is seeking a Director of Public Policy to lead the development and execution of our advocacy agenda. You will engage with local, state, and federal partners, member organizations, and lived-experience voices to shape MHSA's policy work.

This is a full-time, exempt role reporting to the Chief Policy & Strategy Officer within a small, mission-driven team. You will monitor policy developments, set priorities with the Chief Policy & Strategy Officer,