Manager, Innovation & Public Policy - Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago

Who: Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago is a nationally recognized nonprofit housing, counseling, lending, and community development organization which has loaned and leveraged investment of more than $1.1 billion in Chicago’s neighborhoods since its founding in 1975. The mission of NHS is “to create opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives, and strengthen their neighborhoods.”

What: The Manager is responsible for positioning NHS as a community development leader in creating innovative and community responsive policies and programs, and building the political will for the funding and implementation of those programs. The individual will work closely with NHS management and neighborhood staff to research and identify emerging trends, issues and needs. The Manager is responsible for convening internal staff, external partners, and government officials around developing, implementing and funding new programs and strategies. Works closely with Resource Development to develop and manage relationships with foundations, universities, think tanks and peer organizations that will support NHS’ Innovation and Policy work. Specific responsibilities include:
• Works with Program Team (Neighborhoods, Lending, Home Ownership, Construction Services and Redevelopment) and neighborhood staff to create a Policy and Innovation program agenda – e.g. aging in place, addressing the racial wealth gap.
• Links neighborhood needs with creative and sustainable strategies while building relationships for program and loan capital development and public policy.
• Develops overall innovation plan and timeline for exploring programmatic implications and opportunities around program agenda.
• Convenes internal and external stakeholders to develop strategy, goals and assessment criteria for outcomes. Develops clear plans for program development and resource development and works with Program Analyst to implement.
• Explores new business development and builds partnerships with public and private sector, including universities, think tanks, peer organizations, and external consultants to achieve objectives, (for example, developing partnerships with advocacy organizations and foundations around the issue of the racial wealth gap or 2-4 unit buildings and their role in affordable housing.)
• Represents NHS and its mission to senior level officials, industry task forces and committees to increase support and visibility of NHS’s position and activities. Current coalition memberships include: NNA, NCRC, HPN, CRN and HAI.
• Manages the Affordable Housing Task Force and its subcommittees related to issues of affordability, housing costs, regulatory change and Aging in Place.
• Works with President, Board members, and program managers to develop an annual framework of policy priorities, informed by program data and impact evaluation learnings. Co-manages the relationship with DePaul’s Housing Institute for our data needs. Translates program data into local and national policy recommendations related to NHS programs, products, and service delivery with LMI clients and within LMI geographies.
• Develops and coordinates government relations and public policy initiatives. Develops and maintains relationships with local, state, and federal government officials. Keeps abreast of and advocates for public policy and legislative activities that promote community revitalization and expand resources. Synthesizes NHS experiences with policy initiatives and develops supportive materials.
• Communicates NHS activities and mission to external partners and governmental agencies. Uses program impact data to develop materials to assist with outreach and lead the development of written responses to proposed policy and program changes (e.g. public comment letters, opportunities for testimony).
• Develops and manages special projects and programs as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 
Bachelor's degree required. Master’s degree preferred.
Four to six years of experience in community development, urban planning, public policy.
Knowledge and Skills:
• Has the ability to work with senior level elected and governmental officials and staff, and to work independently with a broad range of people to create cooperative efforts, multi-task oriented, able to think broadly about strategy and policy issues and incorporate them into specific projects and overall mission.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills with the ability to persuade
• Has the ability to leverage key relationships between a range of sectors for building organizational power and influence to have real impact.
• Has vision and has the understanding of the intersection between policy, research, organizing and building influence as a tool for social change.
• Has proven ability to develop and manage programs and public policy initiatives in relation to community development.

Find the online job posting and apply here.