Director, Housing Policy and Advocacy

Background

Housing is a critical economic mobility strategy at the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) as we convene community, business, and government towards a vision of a thriving tri\-county region. Essential to this is ensuring the availability of housing opportunities for all residents. The Monterey Bay Housing Trust, in partnership with the Housing Trust Silicon Valley, has invested over $50 million in predevelopment loans creating over 1,200 new affordable homes. We provide advocacy and technical assistance to local governments and developers that has led to approval of dozens of new projects creating thousands of new homes across most of our 21 jurisdictions. Through our Employer Sponsored Housing (ESH) efforts, we’re playing a supportive role in promoting best practices and sharing information to create more employer\-sponsored housing projects throughout the region.

Position Summary

MBEP seeks a full\-time Manager overseeing Housing \- a strategic economic mobility priority \- capable of fulfilling multiple duties to foster successful initiative execution. This is a detailed\-oriented role that requires multi\-tasking and effective communication to deliver first class results. Proactive planning, strategy development, and housing expertise are core competencies for this role.

Job Duties \& Responsibilities

• Provide thought leadership to ensure housing initiative’s success
• Largely an individual contributor role within the organizational structure
• Engage regional stakeholders and decision makers
• Increase advocacy efforts by leveraging relationships, electronic tools, etc.
• Coordinate with a broad group of disparate stakeholders interested in housing, including alerting them to public meetings, advocating for key projects, and developing MBEP position papers to be communicated at public meetings
• Increase and activate our network of housing advocates
• Engage with the Housing Trust of Silicon Valley to fund loans through our Monterey Bay Housing Trust
• Interact frequently with key city and county housing officials, nonprofit and private developers, electeds, etc. and track all key housing projects in the Monterey Bay region
• Track state and federal policies that will provide more resources to create affordable and missing middle housing across our region
• Communicate “best practices” around employer\-sponsored housing; identify new potential employer sponsored housing projects and act as a resource to enable execution of these projects
• Reporting to the President/CEO

Qualifications/Requirements

• At least 5 years related work in housing
• Background and familiarity with housing issues, policy, laws and lending
• Knowledge of local governments in or similar to those of the Monterey Bay region
• Direct experience with housing advocacy efforts
• Strong organization and communication skills (writing, speaking, listening and expertise in common software such as Google Docs and Google Slides)
• Strong computer and database skills, including using online tools for managing a broad coalition of housing supporters
• BA/BS in Urban Planning, Public Policy or related field preferred
• Attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a fast changing environment
• Familiarity and comfortable working on a team dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across all programming

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Is well integrated in the Central Coast community where MBEP serves.
• Is a motivator and encourager who will generate strong interest and engagement to foster buy\-in.
• Is highly organized, responsive, and an achiever who can juggle tasks and priorities gracefully and manage time wisely.
• Is an excellent communicator and comfortable in co\-creating with internal and external stakeholders; professional manner; keeping others informed of work progress, timetables and issues.
• Has proficiency in inclusive community organizing and regional planning with the ability to work across a wide array of geo\-political boundaries, issue areas and demographic populations.
• Is capable and confident with other regional convenors while also connecting and engaging with the local community as a convenor.
• Has experience managing small teams of people and ensuring they are able to perform their best work
• Is a firm believer of MBEP vision, values, and ethos.
• Discretion and confidentiality.

Location: Candidate must be located in Santa Cruz, Monterey, or San Benito County; Hybrid.

Salary Range: $95,000 \- 120,000 Salary commensurate with experience

Classification: Exempt, Full\-Time Position (35\-40 hours per week)

Benefits:

• Health care benefits
• Standard paid holidays
• Additional 2 weeks paid vacation

Qualified candidates are encouraged to send a resume and cover letter to Madeleine Jiron, Executive Assistant, admin@mbep.biz by March 20, 2026, 6pm. Writing samples and references will be requested of finalists.

MBEP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WE VALUE AND WELCOME DIVERSITY OF ETHNIC, CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS, SOCIO\-ECONOMIC, POLITICAL BACKGROUNDS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION/IDENTIFICATION AND ABILITIES.

*About MBEP: Founded in 2015 Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) is a nonprofit member supported organization consisting of public, private and civic entities located throughout the counties of Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz. Our mission is to improve the economic health and quality of life for all residents in the region. We invest in the big challenges so that our region thrives.*

Pay: $95,000\.00 \- $120,000\.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• Are you located in Santa Cruz, San Benito, or Monterey County \- or are you willing to relocate at your own expense?

Experience:

• housing policy or advocacy: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Marina, CA 93933