OPEN OPPORTUNITY

Director, Policy & Advocacy

Position Opportunity &
Responsibilities

The Director, Policy & Advocacy will lead UFG/UFGA’s federal policy and advocacy function. This person will set the working federal agenda, turn priorities into advocacy plans, and manage the team responsible for lobbying, policy development, coalition activation, and member engagement.

The role supervises the Advocacy Manager, Policy Manager, and Coalitions Manager. It is responsible for making sure Hill strategy, policy analysis, coalition activity, partner work, and member feedback reinforce one another.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Set and manage the federal policy agenda and priority issue portfolio.
  • Lead advocacy strategy for priority legislation, agency actions, and policy goals.
  • Manage and develop the Advocacy Manager, Policy Manager, and Coalitions Manager.
  • Direct policy analysis, issue briefs, testimony, coalition materials, and related advocacy products.
  • Oversee intake and triage for new bills, endorsement requests, technical-assistance requests, coalition activation requests, and policy ideas.
  • Lead rapid-response strategy when legislative or agency opportunities arise.
  • Set the policy purpose and direction for coalition work, member engagement, and working groups.
  • Serve as staff lead for the Steering Committee’s legislative-strategy process, including agendas, preparation, synthesis, and follow-up.
  • Manage substantive policy and advocacy partnerships.
  • Establish a regular process for reviewing advocacy progress, Hill intelligence, coalition activity, and capacity needs.

The CEO retains final responsibility for major political decisions, major organizational positions, and select senior external relationships.

Candidate Profile

The strongest candidate will be a strategic federal policy and advocacy leader who can manage people, set clear priorities, and turn policy goals into disciplined execution.

Candidates should bring:

  • At least 7 years of experience in federal policy, legislative advocacy, government affairs, coalition leadership, or related work.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Congress, the federal legislative process, and the policy environment affecting housing supply and affordability.
  • Experience developing advocacy strategies and managing legislative or policy campaigns.
  • 5+ years of experience supervising staff, leading cross-functional teams, and overseeing process design and implementation.
  • Strong political judgment and the ability to work across differing stakeholder interests.
  • Experience working with coalitions, national partners, advisory groups, or cross-sector networks.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • The ability to manage multiple fast-moving priorities with clear judgment and follow-through.

Preferred qualifications include:

  • Experience with housing supply, land use, infrastructure, economic development, or related federal policy.
  • Existing relationships with congressional offices, committees, federal agencies, or national housing-policy organizations.
  • Experience supporting a 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or affiliated advocacy organization.
  • Experience working with business, community, policy, and advocacy partners in the same coalition.

Position fundamentals

Title: Director, Policy & Advocacy
Reports to: Chief of Staff
Supervises: Advocacy Manager, Policy Manager, and Coalitions Manager
Location: Washington, DC (hybrid WFH arrangements available)
Salary Range: $165,000+; competitive benefits package
Employment Type: Full-time
Travel: Minimal

Success in the first year would include:

  • A focused federal policy agenda for the 120th Congress with clear priorities and decision rules.
  • Clear work plans and management support for supervised staff.
  • Defined advocacy plans for priority legislation and federal policy goals.
  • A more consistent Steering Committee process tied to actual legislative strategy.
  • Working groups and coalition activity producing usable policy and advocacy intelligence.
  • A regular advocacy review process that helps leadership distinguish activity from influence.

How to apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter describing your experience leading federal policy, legislative advocacy, coalition strategy, or related work.

Applications should be submitted using the form on this page and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

UFG/UFGA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from a range of backgrounds and experiences.