VP of Government Relations and Policy

Reports to:

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Position status:

Exempt, Salaried; 40 hours/week

Senior Leadership Team

Salary:

$130,000-$150,000 commensurate with experience, with benefits

Location:

Richmond, VA. This is a hybrid work environment with Mondays and Fridays remote.

To apply:

This position will remain posted until the job is filled. The preferred application deadline is May 15, 2026. Please submit the following to [email protected]:

• Completed application
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Three (3) references (we will not contact references without informing you first)

About Better Housing Coalition:

Founded over 35 years ago, BHC's mission is to change lives and transform communities through high quality, affordable housing with the ultimate goal of helping people realize their fullest potential. The organization budget is nearly $30 MM of which 80% is self-funded with over 75 employees located at their new office at West Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA. The staff profile of BHC is C-Suite, Directors, Managers, to onsite Property Managers, Leasing Consultants, Maintenance Employees and Resident Services team members.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President of Government Relations and Policy (VP-GRP) is a senior executive leader responsible for advancing Better Housing Coalition's mission through strategic government relations, policy development, real estate pipeline seeding, and coalition engagement. This role operates at the intersection of public policy, affordable housing development, and government stewardship---ensuring BHC shapes the external policy environment, secures land and public resources, and is positioned as a credible, trusted voice with elected officials and agencies at every level of government.

The VP-GRP serves as a key advisor to the President & CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership, positioning BHC as a trusted partner to government, funders, and community stakeholders while supporting the organization's long-term growth and regional impact.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Government Relations (Local, State, Federal)

• Lead BHC's comprehensive government-relations strategy, aligning advocacy, funding access, and regulatory engagement with organizational priorities.
• Cultivate and manage high-level relationships with elected officials, public agencies, and regulatory bodies at the city, county, and state level---primarily in City of Richmond, City of Petersburg, NS Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield---while building independent relationships that extend beyond any single BHC leader's tenure.
• Monitor legislative, budgetary, and regulatory developments---including affordable housing ordinances across jurisdictions---and maintain a tracking system to ensure BHC can respond, advocate, or engage at the right moment.
• Represent BHC at government meetings, public hearings, and policy forums to advance organizational interests and build institutional credibility.
• Coordinate advocacy efforts with coalitions and partners to amplify BHC's voice and influence.
• Serve as a senior policy spokesperson and strategic briefer to the Board, leadership, and external audiences.
• Monitor state policy developments and funding changes---in coordination with the Virginia Housing Alliance, Virginia Housing and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development---and assess how state trends affect BHC's portfolio, pipeline, and operations.
• Monitor federal policy developments and funding changes---in coordination with NeighborWorks America and the Housing Partnership Network---and assess how national trends affect BHC's portfolio, pipeline, and operations.
• Support BHC's CEO and regional partners in exploring and advancing a regional housing authority, including stakeholder alignment, legislative sponsorship, and coordination with legal and planning consultants.
• Maintain and deepen BHC's relationships with NeighborWorks America, including compliance with reporting requirements and participation in audits and governance obligations.
• Staff BHC's Governance Committee and support compliance with NeighborWorks, CHDO, and CBDO requirements, including maintaining the Board matrix and directing bylaw changes as needed.

Policy Development and Implementation

• Support, develop, and advance internal and external policy agendas aligned with BHC's strategic plan, equity goals, and resident outcomes.
• Translate public policy and regulatory requirements into operational guidance and organizational practices.
• Lead cross-functional policy implementation efforts to ensure feasibility, compliance, and impact.
• Draft policy briefs, white papers, position statements, and local legislation to support advocacy, funding, and thought leadership.
• Research models and best practices from peer cities and organizations to inform BHC's policy positions and draft proposals.
• Evaluate policy effectiveness and recommend refinements based on data, stakeholder input, and market conditions.

Seeding Pre-Development Real Estate Pipeline Opportunities

• Identify and assess early-stage development and preservation opportunities informed by policy trends, funding priorities, and community need.
• Support land acquisition, entitlement efforts and associated community engagement efforts, in coordination with BHC real estate leadership, to advance new developments.
• Leverage public-sector relationships to unlock site control, zoning flexibility, surplus land access, and pre-development resources across jurisdictions.
• Collaborate with real estate, finance, and community-engagement teams to shape mission-aligned, competitive project concepts that support BHC's 2027--2028 revenue pipeline.
• Support structuring of public-private partnerships that reduce risk and increase project feasibility.
• Support responses to public-sector RFPs, in coordination with BHC real estate leadership, for future development opportunities.

Grant Development and Stewardship

• Support the development and submission of City, County, and State grant applications including CDBG, HOME, and Housing Trust Fund (HTF) programs.
• Respond to public-sector RFPs related to housing development and community initiatives.
• Manage grant reporting requirements and maintain compliance with funder obligations.
• Coordinate and manage consultants engaged on special projects, studies, and grant-related deliverables.
• Identify and pursue new public funding opportunities aligned with BHC's real estate pipeline and resident services goals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 7--10 years in public policy or administration, affordable housing, community development, government relations, or related fields.
• Deep knowledge of local, state, and federal housing and community-development policy.
• Demonstrated experience influencing public policy and managing government relationships across multiple jurisdictions.
• Track record of successful grant writing and public funding procurement (CDBG, HOME, HTF, or similar programs).
• Experience with rezoning, pre-development coordination, or real estate pipeline development preferred.
• Familiarity with NeighborWorks America, Virginia Housing Alliance, or comparable networks preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Public Policy or Administration, Urban Planning and Development, Real Estate Development, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to operate effectively across sectors and disciplines.

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE METRICS

Government Relations

• Number and quality of strategic engagements with elected officials and public agencies.
• Public funding secured or preserved through advocacy efforts.
• Policy wins or mitigated risks impacting BHC's portfolio or pipeline.
• Board and CEO satisfaction with policy intelligence and briefings.
• Effectiveness and currency of the jurisdictional policy tracking system.

Policy Development & Implementation

• Adoption and implementation of priority policy initiatives.
• Timeliness and effectiveness of internal policy translation and compliance.
• Evidence of policy impact on resident outcomes, funding access, or operational efficiency.
• Quality and influence of policy briefs and thought-leadership outputs.

Pre-Development Pipeline Seeding

• Number of viable pre-development opportunities identified annually.
• Pipeline value aligned with BHC's strategic growth targets.
• Success rate of early-stage concepts advancing to development.
• Strength and diversity of public-private partnerships formed.

Grant Development and Stewardship

• Number and dollar value of grants applied for and awarded.
• Timeliness and quality of grant reporting and compliance.
• New funding opportunities identified and pursued annually.

Compensation and Benefits

• The salary range for this position is $130,000--$150,000 commensurate with experience.
• Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 21 days of vacation plus 5 sick days and 11 paid holidays.
• 403(b) retirement plan with matching after one year.

Better Housing Coalition is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building an inclusive, equitable organization that reflects the communities it serves.