Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Director

About Housing California

Since 1988, Housing California (Housing CA) has worked to create a California with homes, health, and prosperity for all 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 by building power among the people most impacted by housing injustice in partnership with cross-sector partners, shaping the narrative, and advocating for the passage of transformative statewide policy solutions. Learn more about long term policy agenda here and explore additional information about Housing CA’s current legislative priorities on our website at www.housingca.org .

Position Summary

The Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Director will lead the development and oversee the execution of Housing CA's legislative and regulatory strategy, with a primary focus at the state level. This role is central to translating policy ideas into legislative outcomes by leveraging a deep understanding of the legislative and regulatory landscape, engaging strategically with policymakers, converting evidence-based solutions into actionable initiatives, collaborating closely with partners, and driving cross-organizational efforts toward systems and policy change. The Director will manage a team dedicated to advancing state policies and regulatory reforms and will play a key role in the overall success of the organization. As a senior leader, this position champions the integration of legislative strategy with grassroots organizing, narrative change, and long-term movement building. We are seeking a candidate who not only understands how California policy and politics function but also views legislation as a powerful tool to transform systems, redistribute power, and advance racial, social, and economic justice. Our organization is committed to maintaining a "big tent" approach—working collaboratively across sectors and disciplines to achieve meaningful systems and policy change. Areas Of Leadership and Expertise Legislative Strategy & Advocacy Leadership Lead the development and execution of Housing CA's state-level legislative and regulatory strategy, translating policy priorities into wins within a complex and dynamic political environment. Responsibilities:

• Embody and advance Housing CA's unwavering commitment to racial, economic, gender, disability, and housing justice, in both internal practice and external advocacy.
• Articulate a multi-year advocacy strategy that goes beyond bill-by-bill management to address the full legislative lifecycle.
• Lead a strategic approach to the "inside/outside game," navigating both Capitol relationships and broader coalition and political dynamics.
• Provide leadership and input in the planning and execution of key organizational initiatives and events where policy and legislative issues are central. This includes the Residents United Network Annual Summit, Housing CA’s Annual Advocacy Day, quarterly policy town halls, and Roadmap Home–focused convenings .
• Bring fresh thinking and find pathways forward in a constantly evolving environment.
• Center impacted communities (residents, low-income Californians, people with lived experience of homelessness) in policy development and coalition spaces. Key qualifications:
• A minimum of 7 years of 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 As an ambitious, pragmatic, relationship-centered, and high-impact leader both internally and externally, build, convene, and advance coalitions that reflect the organization’s "big tent" approach, aligning diverse stakeholders around a shared policy agenda while centering impacted communities. Responsibilities:
• Lead and drive coalitions convened by the organization while also representing Housing CA effectively as an active voice in externally-led coalitions.
• Build consensus across Housing CA’s broad and diverse constituency (advocacy organizations, nonprofit affordable housing developers, service providers, government, grassroots, philanthropy, private sector) without losing focus on equity priorities.
• Develop relationships with external stakeholders deliberately, prioritizing connections that move work forward. Key qualifications:
• Experience leading or co-leading coalitions in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Familiarity with California's housing, homelessness, or adjacent policy coalition landscape.
• Strong facilitation skills and ability to build shared agendas across lines of difference.
• Deep listener, with a track record of translating and synthesizing themes into proposed solutions, grounded in an organization’s mission and strategic direction. Organizational & Systems Thinking Connect legislative work to the organization's long-term mission and strategic direction — integrating policy, narrative, and power building into a coherent systems-change approach. Responsibilities:
• Develop a legislative and regulatory strategy grounded in systems-change work, not just transactional policy wins — connecting narrative change, organizing, and long-term movement building into a coherent whole.
• Align legislative strategy with organizational planning, outcomes tracking, and budget cycles. Key Qualifications:
• Experience in either government and/or mission-driven organizations, with an appreciation for the role that policy, public systems, and advocacy can play in advancing mission and impact.
• Ability to work in a cross-functional senior leadership role, collaborating with narrative and strategic communications, power building, strategic initiatives and administrative teams.
• Comfort with ambiguity and a demonstrated ability to move work forward in dynamic, fast-changing environments. 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. Responsibilities:
• Develop the team, centering coaching and professional growth alongside accountability for outcomes.
• 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. Key Qualifications:
• Experience managing direct reports; comfort coaching early-career staff alongside more senior team members.
• Track record as a collaborative senior leader who integrates team work into broader organizational strategy and mission.

Who You Are

• Committed to Justice: You demonstrate a deep and ongoing commitment to racial, gender, disability, economic, and housing justice—and consistently work to uphold these values in your practice and leadership. Expertise in how systems and policy changes are implemented and experienced by l