Advocacy Director

Open Communities Alliance (OCA) is a civil rights organization that works to redress generations of discriminatory housing policy to create open and inclusive housing opportunities in historically exclusionary communities, and to generate meaningful improvements in under-resourced communities of color through equitable investment and policy.

OCA envisions a time when every person in Connecticut – regardless of race, ethnicity, or income – has fair and equitable access to quality affordable housing options in an open, inclusive, and well-resourced community of their choice.

Position Overview

OCA is seeking an Advocacy Director to join our dynamic team in this newly created position. The Advocacy Director will be responsible for overseeing the organization’s education and outreach initiatives, working closely with the Policy Director and other staff members to drive OCA’s advocacy efforts. This role requires a strategic thinker and dynamic leader who can build and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, mobilize community support, and collaborate with community stakeholders, policymakers, and partners to promote fair and equitable housing development, advancing OCA’s mission to create fair and inclusive communities. This includes executing a critical education and policy campaign in 2025.

Responsibilities

The Advocacy Director will report to the Executive Director. Responsibilities will include:

Policy Advocacy

• Lead the development and execution of advocacy campaigns to influence local, state, and federal policies related to housing and community development, including OCA’s grassroots coalition and Growing Together CT, a statewide consortium of organizations working to dismantle segregation and its impact.
• Stay informed about legislative and regulatory developments with the support of OCA’s policy staff, analyze their impact, and advocate for policies that align with OCA’s mission and goals.
• Work closely with legal and policy staff members and consultants to draft testimony and advocacy materials strategically aligned with OCA’s advocacy goals.
• Collaborate with the Policy Director to ensure that advocacy efforts are guided by robust research and informed policy analysis, making them both evidence-based and outcomes-driven.

Education, Outreach, and Organizing

• Develop and implement comprehensive education and outreach strategies to engage diverse communities on issues related to fair housing and equitable housing development.
• Ensure outreach to generate a rich pool of fair housing testers of diverse backgrounds.
• Plan and coordinate advocacy events, such as workshops and educational forums, to raise awareness and generate support for OCA’s initiatives.
• Coordinate, create or contribute to educational materials, presentations, and workshops aimed at informing community members, stakeholders, and policymakers.
• Cultivate strong relationships with community leaders, organizations, and advocates to build a robust network of supporters and collaborators.
• Lead efforts to mobilize community members around key issues related to housing equity, racial justice, and economic opportunity, including the expansion and support of an urban-suburban interracial Coalition to advance OCA’s work.
• Collaborate with the Policy Director and communications staff to leverage the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data to support OCA’s advocacy efforts.

Management and Leadership

• Supervise and support a small team of staff members and consultants working in education, outreach, and organizing, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages innovation and excellence.
• Act as one key liaison between OCA and external partners, ensuring open communication and collaboration with community leaders, government officials, coalition partners, and other key stakeholders.

We are looking for candidates who have:

• A bachelor’s degree in public policy, urban planning, law, social sciences, or a related field. Advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in advocacy, public policy, community organizing, political campaigning or a related field.
• A proven track record of developing and leading successful advocacy campaigns.
• Strong understanding of the Connecticut legislature, organizing strategies, racial justice, housing policy, and housing development issues. Experience with the fair housing laws is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• A strong command of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and various other forms of technology. Experience with NationBuilder and digital organizing is strongly encouraged.
• Enthusiasm about and dedication to OCA’s mission, as well as broader social change, and eagerness to contribute to an advocacy ecosystem where OCA plays a vital role.

The ideal candidate will bring a robust equity and diversity perspective, upholding organizational values of objectivity, integrity, civility, and diversity, and will actively support the inclusive culture at OCA.

If you are passionate about advancing equity and opportunity in housing in Connecticut and are excited to work with a dynamic and supportive team, we encourage you to apply!