Director of Government Relations & Housing Development

Director of Government Relations & Housing Development

Organization: NAML, Inc.

Programs: The Mill, MECCA Childcare, My Choice for Living

Location: Philadelphia / Greater Pennsylvania (hybrid; regular travel to Harrisburg and City meetings)

Schedule: Full-time

Compensation: $100,000 annually

About NAML

NAML is a mission-driven nonprofit focused on affordable housing, early childhood education, and services for adults with intellectual disabilities in low-income communities. NAML’s work brings together community development, housing, childcare, and supportive services to create long-term impact for families and neighborhoods.

The Mill is a flagship project designed to integrate housing and community-serving uses in a way that advances NAML’s broader mission. NAML also operates MECCA Childcare and My Choice for Living and is expanding its public partnerships to support growth across these initiatives.

Position Summary

NAML seeks a senior-level Director of Government Relations & Housing Development to work closely with executive leadership to advance major public funding, political relationships, and housing development strategy.

This Director will lead NAML’s relationship-building and public funding efforts with Pennsylvania state agencies, key elected officials, and City of Philadelphia housing stakeholders. The person in this role will help position The Mill and related NAML initiatives for major capital and program support, while serving as a strategic advisor and lead executor on high-priority public funding opportunities.

This is a high-trust, externally facing leadership role for someone who brings sound judgment, strong communication skills, political maturity, and hands-on experience with affordable housing finance and public-sector relationship management.

Core Priorities

Over the next two to three years, this Director will help lead efforts to:

·      Secure major state capital support for The Mill.

·      Position The Mill for a competitive 9% LIHTC application.

·      Pursue major City housing support, including HOME-related resources.

·      Strengthen NAML’s positioning with Pennsylvania human services stakeholders, especially in support of programs serving adults with intellectual disabilities.

·      Expand trusted working relationships with senior agency staff, legislators, and public-sector decision-makers across party lines.

Key Responsibilities

Government Relations Leadership

·      Develop and execute a government relations strategy aligned with NAML’s housing, childcare, and disability services priorities.

·      Build, maintain, and deepen relationships with Pennsylvania state agencies, elected officials, legislative staff, and relevant City of Philadelphia stakeholders.

·      Represent NAML in meetings, briefings, public events, and strategic relationship-building opportunities.

·      Identify political, legislative, and agency-level opportunities that can advance NAML’s projects and long-term goals.

·      Advise executive leadership on timing, messaging, risk, and relationship strategy.

Housing Development and Public Funding Strategy

·      Lead strategy related to public funding opportunities for The Mill and other NAML projects.

·      Support planning and coordination for affordable housing finance efforts, including LIHTC and city housing resources.

·      Guide development of strategic approaches for state capital requests, city funding requests, and related public financing opportunities.

·      Coordinate internal and external partners involved in applications, narratives, supporting documents, and relationship cultivation.

·      Help ensure that funding strategies are realistic, sequenced well, and aligned with development goals.

Executive Partnership and Execution

·      Bring clear strategic options to the Executive for consideration, including recommended paths, trade-offs, and next steps.

·      Execute approved strategies with a high level of independence and follow-through.

·      Participate in a weekly standing meeting with executive leadership to review progress, upcoming decisions, relationship updates, and immediate priorities.

·      Maintain organized tracking systems for relationships, funding opportunities, deadlines, and next actions.

·      Prepare leadership for key meetings with briefing points, context, and recommendations.

Organizational Positioning

·      Learn NAML’s mission, programs, and community-rooted approach and reflect that understanding in external conversations.

·      Help position NAML as a credible, effective, and values-driven partner in housing, community development, and human services.

·      Work across NAML initiatives to ensure that external partnerships support the organization’s long-term strategic vision.

Required Qualifications

·      Significant professional experience in government relations, public affairs, public funding strategy, affordable housing development, or a closely related field.

·      Hands-on experience with affordable housing finance, especially 9% LIHTC transactions or comparable housing development funding structures.

·      Experience securing, managing, or supporting major city or state housing and community development funding opportunities.

·      Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with agency staff, elected officials, and cross-sector partners.

·      Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to move from concept to execution.

·      Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

·      Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple complex priorities at once.

Preferred Qualifications

·      Experience working within Pennsylvania’s housing, community development, or human services environment.

·      Familiarity with city housing programs and state-level capital funding processes.

·      Experience related to programs serving adults with intellectual disabilities.

·      Experience working with community-based, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations.

·      Understanding of how to navigate politically sensitive environments with professionalism and discretion.

Personal Qualities

The strongest candidates will be:

·      Great communicators who can relate well to all types of people.

·      Low ego, collaborative, and comfortable sharing credit.

·      Resourceful and proactive.

·      Calm under pressure and able to stay steady when things do not go as planned.

·      Willing to push back respectfully and offer candid advice when needed.

·      Strong in judgment, relationship management, and follow-through.

Reporting and Working Style

This role works closely with executive leadership as a strategic thought partner and implementer. The Director is expected to bring options forward for consideration, help leadership make informed decisions, and then execute agreed strategies with consistency and discipline.

The role requires regular communication, weekly strategy review meetings, and strong coordination across NAML’s programs and external stakeholders.

Compensation and Opportunity

This is a full-time position with an annual salary of $100,000. The role offers a chance to help shape a major housing and community development agenda at a pivotal stage of organizational growth.

Candidates who are motivated by meaningful work, public impact, and long-term institutional building will find a significant opportunity to contribute at NAML.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit:

·      A resume.

·      A brief cover letter describing relevant experience in government relations, public funding, affordable housing finance, or housing development.

·      A short example of a major funding, housing, or government partnership effort you helped lead or support.