Director of Policy

We are seeking a mission-driven leader who translates the organization’s vision into actionable policy priorities and measurable results. This role builds strategic relationships to advance our mission, with success measured by progress toward organizational goals. The Director of Policy leads the Seattle Social Housing Developer's policy and legislative agenda, ensuring SSHD's mission of permanently affordable, publicly controlled social housing is supported by sound law, effective regulation, and strong public understanding. Working at the intersection of city and state government, the Director navigates and reconciles the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC), the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) to identify barriers, opportunities, and solutions that advance SSHD's work. The Director builds trusted relationships with the Seattle City Council, the Washington State Legislature, the Mayor's Office, and partner agencies, and brings direct experience moving legislation from concept to adoption. A skilled translator of complex policy, the Director distills technical legal and regulatory ideas into clear, compelling information for audiences ranging from elected officials and agency staff to community members, the Board, and the media.

DIRECTOR OF POLICY

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD) is a Public Development Authority (PDA) committed to creating, owning, and stewarding permanently affordable, mixed-income social housing that is publicly financed, publicly controlled, and free from market speculation. As we lay the foundation for this transformative model, guided by international examples and rooted in public accountability, we are building a team to define a new standard for equitable, sustainable, and community-centered social housing development in Seattle. Our goal is to expand access, strengthen the social fabric of our city, and ensure housing that is affordable forever and inclusive by design for current and future generations.

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking a mission-driven leader who translates the organization’s vision into actionable policy priorities and measurable results. This role builds strategic relationships to advance our mission, with success measured by progress toward organizational goals.

The Director of Policy leads the Seattle Social Housing Developer's policy and legislative agenda, ensuring SSHD's mission of permanently affordable, publicly controlled social housing is supported by sound law, effective regulation, and strong public understanding. Working at the intersection of city and state government, the Director navigates and reconciles the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC), the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) to identify barriers, opportunities, and solutions that advance SSHD's work.

The Director builds trusted relationships with the Seattle City Council, the Washington State Legislature, the Mayor's Office, and partner agencies, and brings direct experience moving legislation from concept to adoption. A skilled translator of complex policy, the Director distills technical legal and regulatory ideas into clear, compelling information for audiences ranging from elected officials and agency staff to community members, the Board, and the media.

POSITION DETAILS

Job Title: Director of Policy

Department: Executive Office

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Direct Reports: None at this time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $170,000 to $202,000. This full-time, salaried position includes a full package of benefits, including health, dental, and vision.

SCOPE OF AUTHORITY & ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

The Director of Policy is SSHD's lead on public policy, legislative strategy, and government relations. Reporting to the CEO, the Director sets and manages the policy research agenda, recommends legislative and regulatory positions, and serves as a primary representative of SSHD before legislative bodies and public agencies.

The Director works closely with the CEO and executive team, real estate and development staff, and the Board of Directors to align policy priorities with organizational goals. External relationships include the Seattle City Council and its central staff, the Washington State Legislature, the Mayor's Office, city and state agencies, housing and community partners, and external counsel and consultants engaged on policy matters.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Legislative Strategy and Advocacy

• Develop and lead SSHD's local and state legislative agenda, identifying priority bills, ordinances, budget items, and rule changes that advance permanently affordable social housing.
• Advance legislation from concept through adoption, including drafting or commissioning bill and ordinance language, securing sponsors, coordinating coalition support, preparing testimony, and tracking progress through committee and floor action.
• Cultivate and sustain relationships with legislators, council members, legislative staff, and policymakers to influence programs, funding, and policy implementation at the local and state levels.
• Monitor legislative sessions, council actions, and agency rulemaking; assess impacts on SSHD and recommend timely positions and responses to the CEO.
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to define and advance shared advocacy priorities that further SSHD's vision for equitable, community-driven housing.

Municipal and State Code Analysis

• Analyze and reconcile requirements across the Seattle Municipal Code, Revised Code of Washington, and Washington Administrative Code, identifying conflicts, gaps, and opportunities affecting SSHD's governance, financing, development, and operations.
• Evaluate land use, zoning, permitting, tax, procurement, and public development authority provisions that shape SSHD's ability to deliver social housing, and propose code amendments or administrative solutions.
• Participate in city and state rulemaking processes, including preparing formal comment letters and engaging with agency staff on implementation.
• Coordinate with legal counsel on statutory interpretation and compliance questions, translating findings into practical guidance for SSHD leadership and staff.

Policy Research and Communication

• Design and lead SSHD's policy research agenda, focusing on affordable and social housing, public finance, land use, and other intersecting policy areas, ensuring results are timely, rigorous, and actionable.
• Distill complex legal, regulatory, and policy concepts into clear, accessible materials, including briefs, one-pagers, position papers, reports, and presentations, tailored to elected officials, agency staff, the Board, community members, and the media.
• Develop policy materials that strengthen SSHD's role as a thought leader in social housing, both regionally and nationally.
• Prepare policy briefings and recommendations for the CEO and Board of Directors to support informed decision-making.

Public Representation and Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent SSHD in legislative hearings, public forums, and stakeholder meetings, presenting findings, gathering feedback, and integrating diverse perspectives into future policy work.
• Coordinate with community partners, elected officials, and public agencies to ensure alignment and transparency on SSHD's policy positions and initiatives.
• Convene policy roundtables and working sessions as needed to build consensus and advance policy innovation.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Deep working knowledge of the Seattle Municipal Code, Revised Code of Washington, and Washington Administrative Code, with demonstrated skill in balancing and reconciling city and state requirements.
• Demonstrated success working with legislative bodies and advancing legislation, ideally at both the municipal and state levels.
• Exceptional ability to distill complex policy ideas into clear, digestible information for diverse audiences, both in writing and in person.
• Familiarity with federal, state, and municipal housing programs, as well as land use and zoning policies that impact affordable and social housing.
• Background in advocacy, coalition-building, or public education, with the ability to mobilize stakeholders and build consensus around key issues.
• Skilled in building relationships and partnerships with elected officials, public agencies, and organizations across the housing policy sector.
• Confident public speaker and facilitator, capable of delivering testimony and leading meetings, presentations, and public engagements.
• Strong analytical, research, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities on legislative timelines.
• Proactive and self-directed, with the capacity to take initiative while responding effectively to guidance and collaboration.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, law, urban planning, political science, public administration, or a related field. An advanced degree (e.g., JD, MPP, MPA, or MUP) is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public policy, government relations, legislative affairs, or a related field, including at least three years focused on housing, land use, or urban development policy.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working within a governmental or quasi-governmental agency.
• Experience working directly in or with the Washington State Legislature, Seattle City Council, or a comparable legislative body (e.g., as legislative staff, agency liaison, or lobbyist).
• Experience working in a small or growing nonprofit, public agency, or Public Development Authority.
• Familiarity with Washington's public development authority statutes, Initiative 135, and public and social housing models.
• Experience with state and municipal rulemaking processes and administrative procedures.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass a background check.
• Ability to adapt to shifting priorities and take on additional responsibilities as the role and organization evolve.
• Ability to travel to Olympia periodically, particularly during the legislative session, and to attend occasional evening or weekend meetings and hearings.
• As a condition of employment, employees of Seattle Social Housing Developer are generally prohibited from residing in housing that is owned, developed, operated, or managed by SSHD, except where SSHD has approved a limited operational exception.

OUR CULTURE OF CONSTRUCTIVE CLARITY

We are carrying out a bold mandate, which requires us to be exceptionally honest and clear with one another. We actively value different perspectives and expect our team members to share constructive disagreements and challenge ideas during our planning stages. We know that brilliant minds process and share information differently. Whether you prefer to speak up in a meeting, share written feedback after digesting a proposal, or discuss ideas one-on-one with your manager, we welcome and support your communication style. What matters most to us is that we don't ignore unresolved issues. Once we have weighed all viewpoints and made a decision, we align and move forward as a unified team. If you value transparency, structured feedback, and committing to shared goals, we would love to have you join us.

BUILDING EQUITY THROUGH HOUSING AND HIRING

As part of Seattle Social Housing's overall commitment to racial equity, we work for affordable housing development that is grounded in justice. We see the hiring of this position, and all positions, as an opportunity to be a more equitable and racially just organization.

Seattle Social Housing is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. People of color, Native and Indigenous people, trans and LGBQIA people, people with disabilities, and other individuals who bring critical perspectives from historically marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.