About SPUR
SPUR is a nonprofit public policy organization in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through research, education, and advocacy, SPUR works to create an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous region where all people thrive. We bring people from across the political spectrum together to develop solutions to the big problems facing our region, with a special emphasis on the largest three cities: San Francisco, Oakland, and San José. We are recognized and respected for our independent and holistic approach to urban issues.
The Opportunity
SPUR believes in the power of good planning to create vibrant, equitable communities and works to make neighborhoods inclusive and welcoming to everyone. The Planning and Housing Director will lead a team of 3-5 staff working on land use and housing policy. This role is an opportunity to do important work at one of the Bay Area’s most impactful public policy organizations.
This role is perfect for someone with deep knowledge of the public policy process in California and/or the region, a strong personal commitment to environmental protection and social justice, and a passion for establishing the Bay Area as the proving ground of sustainable and resilient urban development. Experience with land use planning and/or urban design is required. Experience in resiliency and adaptation planning are a plus. This position will report to the Chief Policy Officer.
This role includes significant research, writing, and policy analysis, as well as strategic thinking, effective advocacy, and coalition-building. This role involves significant collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to develop policy ideas and strategy, and to effect policy change at the local and regional scales in the Bay Area. This role requires excellent project management and team management skills, experience engaging with funders and with the general public. This role also serves as an ambassador to local government staff, elected officials, business and community leaders, and staff at other civic organizations.
The Planning and Housing Policy Director will manage programmatic commitments in three key areas: downtown revitalization in San José and San Francisco, removing regulatory barriers to housing construction, and strengthening anti-displacement policies to stabilize low-income communities of color.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- The candidate must have experience writing about and advocating for policy change in the field of community planning.
- The candidate must have experience working with municipal stakeholders and navigating public planning and policy landscapes.
- Knowledge and experience working in San José or the Silicon Valley is highly desirable.
- The candidate must have a professional land use planning background. Experience in resiliency and adaptation planning is desirable.
- The candidate must be a strong writer and researcher who can make complicated policy issues interesting and intelligible to a general audience.
- The job requires strong meeting facilitation skills.
- The candidate must have the ability to build diverse coalitions to drive policy outcomes.
- The candidate must have experience effectively managing both projects and people.
- The candidate must have experience sourcing funding for their work.
- The candidate must have both high emotional intelligence and relationship management skills, as well as strong quantitative reasoning skills and an ability to interpret and explain data, quantitative methods, trends, and summary figures.
- Master’s degree in public policy, urban planning, or a related field, or at least five years equivalent experience preferable.
We are looking for someone who has training in diversity, equity, and inclusion and/or who has a demonstrated ability to work across differences. The candidate must be committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and manifest that commitment in their policy, facilitation, advocacy, and management responsibilities.
Salary and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $140,000-$150,000 and will be based on experience and commensurate with skills and qualifications. This is a full-time, exempt position. SPUR offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision care, basic life insurance, pre-tax commuter benefits, work-from-home stipend, an employee assistance program (EAP), and a retirement plan with 25% contribution matching.
Hybrid Work Environment
At SPUR the health of our employees and their families is our top priority. SPUR has a hybrid workplace model that combines remote and in-person work. We have mandatory all-staff in-person days on Mondays and Wednesdays, and staff will be required to attend other in-person meetings, events, and programs around the Bay Area region as needed. All policies are subject to change.
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter and resume. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Equal Opportunity Employer
SPUR is an equal-opportunity employer with a strong organizational commitment to respecting differences of all kinds. SPUR prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, political orientation, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. In that spirit, we strongly encourage applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ applicants, and others who will contribute to the diversity of our staff.
Applicants With Disabilities
Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so assigned.
