Senior Advisor, External Affairs

Senior Advisor, External Affairs

Location: Washington, DC metro area (Remote)

Who we are:

For over 30 years, CSH has changed the lives of people and communities who have been marginalized by:

• Helping communities create over 385,000 homes for individuals and families who did not have one;
• Bringing hope to thousands who thought they would live on the streets or reside in institutions; and
• Ensuring not only a stable home for each, but access to the services that brought healthcare, recovery and training to their doorsteps.

CSH has proven supportive housing can change the lives of individuals, families, and communities. We have created a team of nationally recognized experts who are dedicated to our organization and its goals. We attract talented and diverse individuals, offer competitive salaries and benefits, generous leave and paid time off, and fully embrace the philosophy that work-life balance is achievable. With the goal of attracting proven candidates committed to making a difference and who aspire to advance our mission, CSH is now accepting applications for Senior Advisor, External Affairs. This role sits on the Strategy & External Affairs (SEA) team, a national team that leads CSH’s strategic alignment, data & analytics, and external affairs portfolio. Candidates must be located in the DC metro area.

Why we need you:

CSH (Corporation for Supportive Housing) advances affordable and accessible housing aligned with services by advocating for effective policies and funding, investing in communities, and strengthening the supportive housing field. Since our founding in 1991, CSH has been the only national nonprofit intermediary focused solely on increasing the availability of supportive housing. Over the course of our work, we have created more than 467,600 units of affordable and supportive housing and distributed more than $1.5 billion in loans and grants. Our workforce is central to accomplishing this work. We employ approximately 170 people across 30 states and U.S. Territories. As an intermediary, we do not directly develop or operate housing but center our approach on collaboration with a wide range of people, partners, and sectors.

The HR system supports CSH’s commitment to create and maintain an environment conducive to a positive employment experience. An environment whereby employees are engaged, valued, treated fairly, oriented toward results, accountable and experience professional growth.

CSH annual budget exceeds $50M, has approximately 197 full-time and about 5 interns. Staff reside in 30 states with most in NY, CA, IL & NJ respectively.

Why we need you:

The Senior Advisor for External Affairs will join the Strategy & External Affairs (SEA) team, a national team that leads CSH’s strategic alignment, data & analytics, and policy portfolios. Reporting to the Vice President of SEA, the Senior Advisor will be responsible for cultivating and maintaining a strong network of working relationships with federal and national partners in Washington, DC to advance CSH strategic priorities and initiatives. This includes developing opportunities for collaboration with partners that utilizes CSH’s organizational assets to create and advance new funding opportunities, collaborative initiatives, policy partnerships, and communications campaigns. The Senior Advisor will represent CSH at key events that range from providing public testimony, attending partner events, and engaging with national press events. As such, the role is located in Washington, DC and staff must be based in Washington or within a commutable distance. The Senior Advisor will be part of CSH’s Senior Leadership team and will play an important role in the development and implementation of CSH’s strategic plan.

Strategy and External Affairs (SEA) is a national team that is responsible for: the development and stewardship of CSH’s strategic plan; strategic alignment to advance our core organizational goals across CSH’s business lines, drivers, and key sectors; and defining and measuring our impact. SEA is a connection point across the organization that bridges our work as a Community Development Financial Institution, our efforts to build the supportive housing field through technical assistance, training and education, and our work to advance policy through innovation and advocacy. SEA works with policy makers, coalitions, advocacy organizations, public agencies, philanthropy, supportive housing industry leaders and media outlets. SEA plays a leadership role nationally regarding:

• External Affairs – Advancement of fair access to community-based housing and services through national partnerships, policy reform, advocacy, and thought leadership.
• Strategic Alignment – Development, stewardship and monitoring of CSH’s strategic plan and goals, integration of our organizational drivers across business lines and teams, advancement of cross sector partnerships to advance individual and community thriving, cultivation and scaling of innovation, research and evaluation.
• Data and Analytics – Development of CSH key data assets such as the supportive housing needs assessment; data integration processes that help communities use data to drive impact and address disparities; and coordinating enterprise use of data across teams in advance of our strategic and operational goals, including our measuring success program.

What you will do:

• Vision and Strategy: As a part of Senior Leadership, help CSH shape strategic partnerships that advance the goals of the strategic plan, build power and collective impact, raise CSH’s profile, and engage the general public. Work closely with Senior Leaders and the SEA team to identify and design opportunities to advance our shared priorities.
• External Representation: Represent CSH at key policy and press events, working groups, and associations. Provide public testimony and remarks as needed. Develop strategic partnership with national partners, including: non-profit and private organizations; associations and industry groups: philanthropy; press offices; congressional representatives and staff; and executive administration and federal agency officials.
• Opportunity Cultivation: Work across SEA team to cultivate opportunities and support with the design and marketing of strategic initiatives that use CSH’s diverse assets to advance housing and services that promote fairness and thriving. Develop and understanding of and relationship base that enables inclusion of CSH staff across teams and functions to advance strategic initiatives.
• Activate on Federal Initiatives: Work closely with the Director of Policy and Government Affairs to identify public policy issues relevant to CSH, track legislative progress as they move through the legislative process and into implementation with relevant federal agencies. Position and support CSH to take advantage of new public funding and guidance to make an impact at national and local levels. Develop materials and guidance to support activation around these opportunities both internal and external, as needed.
• Fund Development: Proactively collaborate with Fund Development to identify opportunities, cultivate funders and craft proposals to raise resources to meet CSH’s strategic goals.
• Administration, Budgets, and Reporting: Develop budget and manage finance and projects for any projects or staffing (including interns) needed to advance strategic partnerships. Identify and develop funding opportunities (philanthropic, sponsorship, and individual donors) for strategic partnership and collaborative initiatives. Keep CEO, VP-SEA, CSH staff and board informed of the changing context for strategic partnerships related to CSH’s goals, and report on progress.
• Supervision: The Senior Advisor will coach and provide guidance to staff across the organization on projects and initiatives that they develop and manage.
• Perform other duties or special projects, as directed.

How we work:

CSH staff are adaptable, entrepreneurial, creative, and flexible problem-solvers. We are strategic thinkers who are committed to racial equality and treating each other—and the communities we serve—with respect. You should share a passion for the CSH mission and possess the skills to meet the expectation of this role to help shape how we share our ambitious mission. Specifically, we are seeking:

• The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years in public policy, governmental relations, or communications positions.
• Knowledge of Washington, knowledge of and commitment to supportive housing and/or related fields.
• Ability to demonstrate commitment to CSH’s mission and values. Successful candidates will have an existing network of strategic relationships with national and federal partners.
• College degree, preferably in related field. Equivalent experience may substitute for formal education.
• Superior writing and public speaking skills.
• Ability to lead and build teams and inspire others' performances.
• Ability to track issues through legislative and executive branch implementation process.
• Facility with current communications channels and ability to craft clear public messaging to engage specific audiences.
• Proven ability to develop collaborative partnerships, initiatives and campaigns that lead to concrete and meaningful results.
• CSH uses a Microsoft Office environment. Proficiency is required or a commitment to self-learn and achieve proficiency upon hire.
• Candidates must provide their own access to a secure high-speed internet signal at a capacity sufficient to support video, web, and email processing simultaneously based on their personal work environment. This is typically 100Mb and above.
• This position is located in the District of Columbia, or within a commutable distance. It is a remote (work from home) position.
• Some national travel required, approximately 25% or once a month for 1-3 days.

Compensation:

CSH offers generous benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and competitive salaries based on geographic location. Our range for Senior Policy Manager in the Washington, DC area is:

• Senior Advisor in highest geography (E.G. Washington D.C.) $167,000 - $209,000
• Senior Advisor in mid-range geography (E.G. Laurel, Silver Springs, Waldorf, Temple Hills) $151,000 - $189,000
• Senior Advisor in lower mid-range geography (E.G. Baltimore) $143,000 - $179,000
• Senior Advisor in low-range geography (E.G. Richmond) $132,000 - $165,000

Our ranges are broad, and it is customary for candidates to join CSH at the lower half of the range to leave room for growth, learning, and development in the role and range. It is uncommon for starting salaries to fall above the mid-point. We negotiate actual salaries with final candidates based on their exact location, experience in similar roles, and expertise related to the qualifications. This information is offered in support of our commitment to transparency.

Interested in joining our team as a national leader in supportive housing?

To Apply: Candidates should apply through the link. All candidates should attach their Resume, Cover Letter, and Salary Expectations as one Microsoft Word or PDF document. We encourage applications by March 4th to ensure consideration.

At CSH, we believe that benefits are an essential part of your overall compensation. CSH offers a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect your health, family, and way of life. In addition, CSH supports continuing education. We believe that both employees and CSH benefit when employees actively participate in their career development.

Vacation & Leave

• 33 days of paid time off annually, accrual starts immediately.
• 10 paid holidays

Health & Wellness

• Best-in-class medical insurance plus dental and vision with a nationwide network of providers (domestic partners eligible)
• TouchCare for health advocacy for your whole family at no cost
• $500 Annual Stay-Well Reimbursement Benefit
• CSH Paid Leave (in conjunction with FMLA)
• Value-added fitness/nutrition/weight-loss programs through health insurer
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Pre-Tax transportation plan

Income Protection & Retirement

• Life insurance at no cost, plus voluntary coverage
• Short and long-term disability at no cost
• 403(b) plan with an employer match

Education & Training

• Full access to LinkedIn Learning at no cost
• Webinars, trainings, and courses at no cost
• Opportunities to cross-train and shadow
• Shared expenses of approved educational programs