Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Director - Housing California
About the role
Housing California (Housing CA) has been working since 1988 to create a California where everyone has homes, health, and prosperity in thriving, sustainable communities. We bring together a diverse, cross-sector network to prevent and end homelessness, increase the supply of safe, stable, affordable homes, and reverse the legacy of systemic racial and economic inequities.
Responsibilities
Lead the development and execution of Housing CA's state-level legislative and regulatory strategy, translating policy priorities into legislative wins within a complex political environment.
Engage strategically with policymakers, convert evidence-based solutions into actionable initiatives, and collaborate closely with partners to drive cross-organizational efforts toward systems and policy change.
Manage a team dedicated to advancing state policies and regulatory reforms, and play a key role in the overall success of the organization.
Champion the integration of legislative strategy with grassroots organizing, narrative change, and long-term movement building.
Qualifications
Significant, demonstrable policy, advocacy, or campaign experience, preferably on behalf of low-income communities and communities of color.
In-depth knowledge of California's legislative, regulatory, and budget processes.
Experience in government affairs, lobbying, or a director of advocacy role with demonstrated strategy development across multiple legislative cycles.
Ability to engage and build relationships with legislators, legislative staff, caucuses, the Governor's office, and administrative agencies.
Demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice in prior roles, with equity-forward leadership practice.
Experience working with or on behalf of communities of color, low-income communities, or other historically marginalized groups.
Alignment with Housing CA's vision of using legislation as a tool to transform systems and redistribute power.
Coalition & Network Leadership
Lead and drive coalitions convened by the organization while also representing Housing CA effectively as an active voice in externally-led coalitions.
Develop relationships with external stakeholders deliberately, prioritizing connections that move work forward.
Organizational & Systems Thinking
Develop a legislative and regulatory strategy that is grounded in systems-change work, not just transactional policy wins, and connect to narrative change and long-term movement building.
Align legislative strategy with organizational planning, outcomes tracking, and budget cycles.
Team Leadership & Development
Lead, coach, and develop a small legislative team — building a productive, collaborative environment while managing up and across as a member of Housing CA's senior leadership team.
Integrate the legislative team's work with cross-functional organizational priorities (narrative, power building, strategic initiatives).
Contribute meaningfully to organizational leadership, shaping culture, advancing equity commitments, and participating in strategic planning.
Participate in budgeting, compliance reporting, and fundraising in support of the legislative program.
Who You Are
Committed to Justice: Demonstrates a deep and ongoing commitment to racial, gender, disability, economic, and housing justice and works to uphold these values in practice and leadership.
Policy and Systems Experience: Has 7+ years of relevant experience in policy, advocacy, and/or campaign work, preferably on behalf of low-income communities and communities of color. In-depth knowledge of California politics and the state's budget, legislative, and regulatory processes.
Mission Aligned: Experience in housing justice or a related field such as community development, urban planning, health equity, criminal justice reform, education, disability justice, food insecurity, climate justice, or labor. Strategic Leadership: Substantial, hands-on experience managing a legislative program and team. Ability to articulate and implement a strategic vision within a cross-functional organization, aligning efforts to achieve mission-driven goals.
Agile and Adaptable: Comfortable navigating ambiguity and challenges, thriving in dynamic environments, and focusing on driving change.
Clear and Effective Communicator: Strong written and verbal communication skills, effective engagement with policymakers, media, community-based organizations, residents of affordable housing, people experiencing homelessness, advocates, funders, and cross-sector partners.
Collaborative and Inclusive: Demonstrated ability to build trust and collaborate across lines of difference to advance shared goals. Skilled facilitator who ensures coalition spaces reflect Housing CA's values of equity and inclusion and support shared leadership models, particularly centering impacted communities and grassroots partners.
Learning- and Outcomes-Oriented: Embraces learning and adaptation, thriving in an environment where continuous improvement and flexibility are valued. Committed to moving change through ambiguity and challenges to find a path forward.
Willingness to Travel: Willing and able to travel and attend early morning or evening obligations.
Compensation, Benefits, and Location
This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Deputy Director of Programs. The Director will provide leadership for a team of two staff and oversee related consultants. The salary range is $120,000 - $165,000 depending on experience. Benefits package includes fully paid medical, dental, and vision for employee and 25% paid medical, dental and vision for dependents, paid parental leave, long-term disability and group life insurance coverage; commuting subsidy; cell phone/at home internet subsidy; 403(b) retirement plan with 3.5% employer contribution; generous vacation (3+ weeks, depending on tenure), sick leave (8 hours per month + employees start with 8 hours of leave), 12 paid holidays; organization-wide closure during the last week of December and a shortened workweek during the summer legislative break; training and professional development opportunities; and a hybrid work environment. This position is based in our office in Sacramento and requires a significant in-person presence in and around our office and the state capitol in downtown Sacramento. The position will have the opportunity to work remotely from their home if their presence is not needed in the office or around the capitol. The position is expected to participate in regular travel (mostly in California) including the following engagements: twice yearly Board of Directors meetings (scheduled for March and September).