Program Manager, Policy and Research
JOB TITLE: PROGRAM MANAGER, POLICY & RESEARCH
DEPARTMENT: DEVELOPMENT & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
REPORTS TO: SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER, POLICY AND RESEARCH
FLSA: EXEMPT
SALARY RANGES:$66,560 - $84,000
About the Center
The Center for New York City Neighborhoods, Inc. (the “Center”) is a New York not-for-profit that promotes and protects affordable homeownership in New York State so middle- and working-class families can build strong, thriving communities. We meet and support the diverse needs of homeowners throughout the state by offering free services and affordable loans while advocating for systemic change to address racist housing policies. Today we are working to close the racial wealth gap through the Black Homeownership Project, developing new programs to respond to the climate crisis, and helping New York State to deliver nearly half a billion dollars in COVID-19 relief.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Senior Program Manager, the Program Manager will support the Center’s research agenda by producing original research and policy solutions that can eradicate structural inequities and create prosperity for marginalized communities across NYC. As part of the Center’s Policy and Research team, the Program Manager will be responsible for leading complex research projects using both quantitative and qualitative research methods, serving as a subject matter expert, and disseminating findings and proposals to multiple audiences. The Program Manager will be primarily focused on producing research that advocates for the adoption of innovative approaches to affordable homeownership, housing preservation and neighborhood stability. This entails both the exploration of the intersectionality of housing and race, class, and gender, as well as how to evolve public discourse away from simply speaking about housing disparities towards explicitly identifying solutions to address housing inequities. This role will also work in partnership with the Center’s Fundraising and Marketing & Communication teams to disseminate and support the Center’s policy and programmatic goals.
What you will do:
Please note that given the complex nature of this particular effort, we anticipate that the responsibilities of this role will evolve. The candidate will be expected to pivot to new priorities as needed.
This is a full time, exempt position. This is a hybrid role intended for candidates within commuting distance from our office.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Research, Agenda Setting - 60%
- Help manage the Policy & Research team’s portfolio of research projects specifically related to housing preservation, housing distress indicators, and anti-displacement; this includes creating research plans, conducting project management, collaborating with external stakeholders, and working with the Marketing & Communications department to publish reports and findings
- Build an innovative research agenda that will examine root causes and effects of structural racism and propose solutions to persistent inequities in accessing homeownership
- Serve as a subject matter expert on the Center’s policy platform, proposals, and advocacy;
- Identify and recommend best practices in program interventions or policy solutions by following developments in the field of housing and homeownership policy
- Conduct independent topical research and writing as well as work with external researchers to stay abreast of new policy, programmatic or financing approaches to affordable homeownership
- Translate research and policy data and content into clear, comprehensible writing that is accessible to general audiences for the Center’s policy advocacy work
Communications, Relationship Building, Data Support- 40%
- Lead the development of policy content for publications, speaking engagements, and events, including the Center’s annual conference, reports, blog posts, and other mixed media materials to inform and engage stakeholders
- Partner with communities to elevate their lived experience as an irreplaceable source of influence and authority; draw on innovations in research practices to design equitable policies and evaluate their impact
- Deliver internal presentations to share findings and proposed policy solutions; work with other Center subject matter experts to foster discussion and knowledge-sharing on the Center’s top policy areas
- Co-manage the team’s data analysis work, including analyses of internal and external data sources; creating dashboards, in Tableau or other analytics platforms, to track trends and impact, including helping to oversee regular data requests
- Support colleagues efforts to complete research and data analysis projects, including coaching on best practices in research methods
- Other duties as assigned
Skills & Qualifications
- Advanced degree in public policy, urban planning, sociology or relevant degree, as well as a minimum of three to five years experience as a researcher in the nonprofit, pub ic, academic, or community development sector
- Demonstrated track record of leading or significantly contributing to multiple research projects
- Experience with using both qualitative and quantitative research methods to support evidence-based public policy goals
- Familiarity with data management and analysis tools, such as R, Python, STATA or SQL
- Demonstrated experience within the housing policy landscape, ideally in NYC and NYS Candidates must have familiarity with relevant state and municipal government agencies, and an understanding of the role state and municipal legislators play in housing policy
- Excellent management and leadership skills, including a demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor junior staff, as well as experience coordinating or staffing high-level advisory groups and interdisciplinary teams
- Passionate about racially equitable, affordable housing policy, homeownership, and consumer protection
- Lived or professional experience working with and engaging our core constituencies communities of color in neighborhoods across New York City
- Superb collaboration, strong interpersonal skills and comfort working both independently and in team environments
- Written and verbal presentation skills are critical and any applicant should amply demonstrate experience and abilities in both these areas
- Strategic communications knowledge, including experience with the media as well as targeting audiences in the public, business, and nonprofit sectors
- High level proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Drive, Asana, and other standard office tools, or a willingness to become proficient within a relatively short time period
Values
- Demonstrate Ownership by showing initiative, active problem solving, being solution oriented, acting conscientiously, and putting team results above individual accomplishments
- Demonstrate Growth Mindset through resilience, humility, engaging in expansive thinking, and showing curiosity and openness to learning
- Work Collaboratively by demonstrating the ability to work in teams, exhibiting emotional
Essential Functions:
- Regularly required to physically operate routine office equipment such as telephones, computers, etc.
- Regularly required to lift equipment over 25 lbs. such as boxes, posters, etc., especially for special events.
- Frequently required to travel throughout New York and utilize public transportation
- Regularly required to read and interpret data and documents, including spreadsheets and reports, in printed form and on computer screens
Work Environment
- Noise level is consistent with levels usually present in an office environment.
- Hazards present are consistent with those common to an office environment.
- Remote work may be required when public health concerns are elevated.