Regional Housing Legal Services (RHLS) seeks a Director of Policy to lead and coordinate its advocacy for safe affordable housing in Pennsylvania. The Director of Policy will leverage RHLS’ expertise in the development of affordable housing to advance government policies that expand resources for safe affordable housing and address the root causes of housing inequity. The Director of Policy will lead and supervise a small team that translates legal insights and client experiences into community engagement, administrative advocacy, legislative action, and systems reform. The Director will also coordinate and lead all RHLS advocates (cross team) in advocating at the national, state, and local level for housing justice on such matters as fair housing, anti-displacement, affordable housing preservation, advancing permanent supportive housing, social housing models, and zoning reform. Equitable development and advancing racial equity in housing law and policy are central to the mission of RHLS.
This position is a great opportunity for an experienced policy advocate and team leader with a passion for housing justice to shape a policy agenda for a long-established and well-regarded legal housing advocacy organization.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated success in advocacy with government officials; ability to integrate data-driven and narrative policy themes.
- Knowledge on how to navigate the state legislative process and understanding of how things work within state agencies and systems.
- Experience as a leader and supervisor of teams.
- Demonstrated commitment to economic and racial justice.
- Demonstrated skill in listening to and working with racially and economically diverse communities with varied experiences and perspectives.
- Strong passion for housing justice; knowledge of housing policy.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment.
- Ability to coordinate, prioritize and carry forward a wide range of advocacy and leadership tasks.
- Keen analytical and organizational skills, strong drafting skills and attention to detail.
- Capacity to work effectively as an advocate and a team leader in both in-person and remote office settings.
- Prior experience on the staff or board of a non-profit organization a plus.
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience supervising staff, policy development, project management, and/or planning initiatives.