Job Summary:
The Senior Director of Policy will provide leadership for ECHO’s efforts aimed at support and
improvement of the Homelessness Response System, as well as advancing local, state, and
federal policy initiatives. This role ensures that the agency’s communication strategy and
engagement with people with lived experience are in line with ECHO’s strategic priorities.
Bringing strong communication skills, a deep sense of community accountability, and
experience with integrating research and evaluation into larger initiatives, the Sr. Director will
work across all ECHO program areas and teams, as well as with external stakeholders, to
advance agency strategic objectives.
Reporting Structure:
The Sr. Director has two direct reports that manage the following program areas: Research &
Evaluation (R&E) and Communications and Public Policy. The position reports to the Vice
President of Strategy for the Homelessness Response System (VPS).
Essential Job Functions:
● Collaborate with executive leadership toward achievement of ECHO’s Strategic plan,
particularly as related to leading policy and system change efforts that impact the
Homelessness Response System. This includes:
o Identifying the primary public policy issues relevant to ECHO’s mission,
developing strategies to address those issues, and working with policymakers, in
coordination with the VP of Strategy, to enact resulting strategies.
o Stay up-to-date on the latest research and best practices in relevant public policy
initiatives, as well as research and evaluation.
● In partnership with the VP of Programs and ECHO staff integrate research, evaluation
project results, perspectives of people with lived experience of homelessness, and the
current policy landscape to create improvements and recommendations for HRS
interventions, including Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Rehousing, Diversion,
Outreach, Emergency Shelter, SOAR, and Homelessness Prevention.
● Collaborate with the Directors of Research & Evaluation and Communications & Public
Policy to create a communication strategy that regularly informs stakeholders and
providers about key research findings and encourages action on policy priorities.
● Work with the Director of Research and Evaluation to ensure that research and
evaluation projects meet the needs of the HRS and are integrated into ECHO’s work,
including supporting the work of the Systems Advancement Team, the needs of the CoC
Board, Leadership Council, the HRS Programs teams, and contracted partners, such as
the City of Austin. Regularly inform the executive team of key findings that impact the
HRS.
● Communicate effectively with the public. This includes educating the public about
ECHO's work, mobilizing public support toward effective and compassionate
homelessness response systems, and building/maintaining relationships with key
stakeholders. In coordination with the VPS, lead communication strategies, such as
writing or coordinating op-eds and speaking to the media about ECHO’s work.
● Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including ECHO staff
and external partners, to ensure internal agency functioning is aligned with community
priorities and goals.
● Develop project plans, set timelines, allocate resources, and monitor progress to ensure
projects are delivered on schedule and within budget.
● Model advanced leadership skills within the direct report teams and broader agency:
o Provide and openly receive direct feedback.
Work collaboratively with the R/E and PP Comms depts to support meeting agency wide and
department goals.
o Work to ensure that each department has clear paths towards providing
meaningful professional development and support meeting the roles defined in
their job descriptions.
o Nurture environment in which job performance can be evaluated openly and
there are ample opportunities and spaces for you and your direct reports to
provide two-way communication on job performance without the fear of
retribution.
● Maintain strong knowledge of agency policies and procedures, especially as related to
hiring, interviewing, anti-discrimination, etc. Ensure that employees are knowledgeable
about their rights, are welcome to assert them, and are kept aware of changes to policy
and procedure in a timely manner.
● Ensure that the Research and Evaluation, along with the Communication and Public
policy teams prioritize and complete HUD and other grant application submission and
reporting requirements.
● Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications & Experience
● Minimum 10 years of combined education, work experience in the housing public policy,
nonprofit research, evaluation, and/or public policy sector, and/or lived experience of
homelessness.
● Minimum 5 years direct experience leading a team of people.
● Strong demonstrated track record of relationship building.
● Advanced understanding of Racial Equity and Gender Equity principles and how they
apply to systems in place to serve extremely low-income households.
Preferred Qualifications & Experience
● Excellent communication skills. This includes the ability to communicate effectively
regarding research findings, both verbally and in writing, in a clear and concise way to a
variety of audiences, such as program staff, funders, and policymakers.
● Ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including program staff, funders,
policymakers, and other stakeholders in order to ensure that research findings are used
to improve ECHO’s programs and policy work.
● Educational and/or experiential expertise in public policy, including effective strategies
and understanding of risks and benefits to policy efforts; optimally, understand
challenges and effective approaches related to working in an often hostile policy
environment.
● Ability to align project objectives with organizational strategy and translate high-level
goals into actionable plans.
● Strong understanding of homelessness and/or related social justice matters. Awareness
of how systems of supremacy and systemic oppression impact those that are unhoused
and contribute to homelessness.
● Strategic thinker and collaborative leader who exemplifies ECHO’s values and holds
integrity as a primary orientation to the community.
● Humility, curiosity, self-reflection, and a sense of humor which foster teamwork,
positive work culture, purpose, and perspective.
Work Environment:
This job operates in office settings and is currently hybrid. Employees are required to use
their personal cell phone for business purposes. This position does require commuting
throughout Austin/Travis County for various stakeholder meetings, when applicable.
Proficiency in using Microsoft suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and
the ability to adapt and commit to using other software or technology is needed.
Physical Demands:
Physical demands include the use of standard office equipment including: computer, copy
machine, phone, etc.. The ability to communicate clearly and appropriately with co-workers
and community partners.
Reasonable Accommodations:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the principal duties
satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable otherwise qualified
individuals with disabilities to perform the principal duties of the job, except where to do so
would cause undue hardship on ECHO operations. Contact human resources (HR) with any
questions or requests for accommodation.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Works
This is an exempt full-time position working 40 hours a week; typical work days are Monday
through Friday. Agency meetings occur on business days between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM (Central Standard Time). Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. A high degree of flexibility can be anticipated by ECHO staff when
conducting the most independent and/or administrative work. Some travel is expected for this position both locally and to national conferences.
Compensation and Benefits:
ECHO offers competitive wages and a generous benefits packet with employer contributions for
full time employees including medical, dental, 401K, HRA, PTO, 8 paid holidays, 4 paid work/life
wellness days and opportunities for educational and professional development.
DEI Statement:
The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) values diversity, equity, and inclusion in
every aspect of our work, including our internal operations and external activities to support
our mission. We are committed to cultivating a culture of respect for the dignity and value of
each individual and family accessing the Homelessness Response System. These values are
essential to our mission focused on leading and aligning a coalition to administer an effective
Homelessness Response System, centered in racial equity, informed by the needs and expertise
of people experiencing homelessness, and accountable to systemically marginalized
communities. We welcome all. ECHO does not discriminate against any employee or job
applicant because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or age. Women, minorities, veterans,
people with lived experience of homelessness, and other diverse populations are encouraged to apply.
Please submit your cover letter and resume to Indeed.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $100,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Family leave
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Experience:
- Research: 4 years (Required)
- Supervising: 5 years (Required)
- public policy: 4 years (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Austin, TX 78704: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Austin, TX 78704
