Vice President of Public Policy and Senior Counsel for Fair Lending

Washington, DC
Full Time
Consulting & Compliance
Executive

About National Fair Housing Alliance 

The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) leads the fair housing movement and is the nation's only national organization exclusively dedicated to eliminating all forms of housing discrimination and ensuring equitable housing opportunities for all people and communities. We have a diverse, experienced, mission-driven, and impactful team that has developed equity-based policies at the federal, state, and local levels to expand fair housing opportunities; brought precedent-setting litigation to eliminate some of the most heinous forms of housing discrimination; conducted groundbreaking research to promote equitable solutions; and invested millions of dollars in underserved communities. We have solid relationships, built on trust, with national, regional, and local organizations, and we effectively draw upon these connections to reach vital goals. We are game changers that millions of people rely upon to advance fair housing. 

Where you live matters. It affects every aspect of your life and determines whether you have access to the options and opportunities we all need to thrive. Yet despite important existing federal laws, more than 4 million acts of housing discrimination occur in the U.S. each year, and housing inequality remains stubbornly entrenched. That is why—through its education and outreach, member services, public policy, advocacy, housing and community development, responsible AI, enforcement, and consulting and compliance programs—NFHA is dismantling longstanding barriers to equity, rooting out bias, and building diverse, inclusive, well-resourced communities. 

Position Summary 

The Vice President of Public Policy and Senior Counsel for Fair Lending (VP) is responsible for assisting the Executive Vice President (EVP) in developing and spearheading a visionary, comprehensive policy strategy for implementing the National Fair Housing Alliance's mission to eliminate all forms of housing discrimination, ensure everyone has decent, stable, affordable housing in well-resourced, opportunity-rich communities free from bias, and support the organization's membership. 

The VP will assist in directing, developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating NFHA's public policy programs, activities, and initiatives to achieve the organization's goals and objectives. 

The VP will spearhead the Public Policy division’s advocacy on fair lending, technology policy, appraisal reform, equitable financial services, and related administrative and regulatory policies. The VP will also support the EVP in NFHA's resource development goals; effectively manage cross-team projects; and assist with oversight of the team’s operations, including managing staff and interns.  

The VP will assist the EVP in project management and board engagement of NFHA's Public Policy division and work collaboratively with all NFHA's departments, membership, and Board of Directors to promote housing equity. The VP liaises with elected and appointed officials, federal and state agencies, non-profit organizations, public policy think tanks, academicians, and affected people and communities. The VP also plays a key role in helping to shape the vision and structure of the Public Policy department, managing junior staff of the public policy division, providing oversight over intern projects, and planning for its growth and sustenance.  

Essential Job Functions 

Strategic Leadership 

  • Work closely with the EVP to set the vision for NFHA's public policy goals and objectives, providing excellent leadership and support for team members and NFHA's membership.   

  • Support the EVP and other NFHA leadership in fundraising for the organization's public policy activities.

  • Collaborate with a wide range of partners to position and leverage NFHA's brand for maximum impact in creating policy and systemic change.   

  • Coordinate fair lending and responsible AI policy advocacy with NFHA’s other divisions.   

  • Support the EVP in developing and implementing the organizational strategic plan and division operational plan, ensuring the alignment of program activities with the organization's strategic goals.  

  • Lead NFHA's efforts in developing and implementing legislation, policies, rules, and guidance to promote fair housing/lending, technology policy, appraisal reform, and administrative and regulatory policies at the federal and state levels.   

Project Management

  • In concert with the EVP, develop and direct innovative programs, activities, and policies to sustain high-quality standards and programmatic excellence.  

  • Provide effective project management of the Public Policy department and assist in developing and monitoring key performance indicators.  

  • Keep abreast of the policy landscape affecting fair lending at both the state and national levels.  

  • Support the EVP in developing, managing, and overseeing the Public Policy department budget.  Manage and develop junior staff within the division and manage the division’s internship program to fulfill NFHA's public policy goals and objectives.  

Technical Education and Outreach

  • Contribute to communications efforts to advance NFHA's work to include the development and publication of papers, articles, blogs, social media posts, and other fair lending policy documents.  

  • Support the EVP in providing oversight of NFHA's website to ensure it accurately reflects NFHA's public policy work.  

  • Deliver presentations for internal and external audiences on programmatic and  

  • policy-related topics.  

  • Create education and outreach activities and initiatives to advance NFHA's fair  

  • lending policy goals.  

  • Establish and maintain relationships with elected and appointed officials, government representatives, ally organizations, academicians, researchers, public policy think tanks, industry groups, and other key stakeholders to educate them about fair lending issues and collaborating on advancing fair lending goals.  

  • Other activities to advance fair lending and fair housing goals.  

Membership Support and Development

  • Assist in convenings for NFHA's membership to collaborate, educate about, advocate for policies to advance fair lending at the national, state, and local levels.  

  • Provide support to NFHA members on key public policy issues. 

Qualifications and Competencies 

  • Law Degree and Master's degree in Public Policy or Urban Planning (15+ years of relevant experience will be considered in place of specific degree focus) 

  • 10+ years of experience working on fair housing, fair lending, housing equity, and civil rights legislative and regulatory policies.  

  • Extensive knowledge of our nation’s civil rights, financial services, and consumer protection laws with substantial expertise in shaping fair lending and technology policy.
  • Strong networks and contacts at the local, regional, and federal levels.  

  • Background and a deep understanding of program design, implementation, monitoring, and management.  

  • Demonstrated experience in achieving systems and community change.  

  • Experience in developing, implementing, and monitoring strategic and operational plans and excellent planning and analytical skills.  

  • Successful experience in developing, motivating, and managing mission driven, fast-paced, high-functioning teams and experience with conflict resolution.  

  • Thorough understanding of federal authorization and legislative and regulatory processes.  

  • Extensive communication expertise with an emphasis on effective writing, public speaking, meeting facilitation, interpersonal communication, and developing and delivering presentations.  

  • Excellent time management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects at once and adapt to a swiftly changing environment.  

  • Demonstrated experience using and understanding data to inform decision making.  

  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people and organizations, including senior-level corporate, philanthropic, public sector representatives, and community leaders. 

  • Proven ability to work in culturally and ethnically diverse environments.  

  • Results-driven public policy professional, passionate about advancing civil rights, specifically, fair housing principles. 

  • Demonstrated commitment to civil and human rights.  

  • Ability to represent NFHA in a professional and exceptional manner.  

  • Ability to analyze, interpret, and anticipate legislative and regulatory changes; develop evidence-based policy proposals; and formulate comprehensive policy implementation plans.

  • Legislative and Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of the U.S. policymaking and regulatory systems, including federal and state laws, to monitor and assess potential business and societal impacts. 

  • Strategic Thinking and Planning: The capacity to assess the political landscape, devise strategic positioning on priority issues, and develop advocacy campaigns to drive positive outcomes and achieve organizational goals. 

  • Research and Data Analysis: Proficiency in gathering, analyzing, and interpreting both qualitative and quantitative data to support policy proposals and inform decision-making. 

  • Issue Advocacy: Expertise in advancing specific legislative priorities, which may involve bill drafting, grassroots organizing, and media relations. 

Compensation and Benefits 

The salary range for this role is $165,000 - $175,000 annually. Salary is commensurate with experience. 

NFHA offers an excellent benefits package: 

  • 100% paid health, vision, and dental coverage for employees and family 

  • 100% paid life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance 

  • Employer contribution to 403(b) retirement plan, separate from employee contribution 

  • Comprehensive paid time off benefits including holidays, vacation, and sick leave 

How to Apply 

Interested applicants need to submit a resume and cover letter. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

Please no phone calls and incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Affirmative Action / Equal Employment Opportunity Statement 

NFHA values and encourages diversity in its workforce. NFHA supports affirmative action and is dedicated to promoting equal employment opportunities. NFHA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, disability, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other category or characteristic protected by the laws of the United States or the District of Columbia.

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