Housing Program Manager

Overview

Housing Program Manager Jobs in United States at Accelerator for America

Title: Housing Program Manager

Company: Accelerator for America

Location: United States

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume that clearly describes your fit for this specific role to [email protected] with the subject line “Program Manager”. Virtual interviews, references, writing samples and a behavioral assessment will be requested of selected candidates following the initial review process. PLEASE NOTE: We will not be responding to submissions via Indeed or LinkedIn.

Housing Program Manager: Accelerator for America seeks an entrepreneurial, solutions-oriented, and experienced professional for the position of Program Manager. The salary range is $80,000 – $115,000 (plus benefits), depending on direct, relevant experience. This is a full-time, 30-month grant-funded position. This time-limited role will terminate on or about January 31, 2029, unless additional funding is secured to extend the position.

About AFA: Accelerator for America is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan “Do Tank” that delivers solutions, resources, and connections to mayors and local leaders working to create greater economic opportunity in their communities. We provide capacity building, technical assistance, and advocacy across three intersecting pillars: economic and community development, transit and infrastructure, and workforce development. 

About the Position:  The Program Manager plays a critical role in delivering a national, in-depth technical assistance initiative supporting 30 U.S. cities as they work to increase housing supply, advance innovative local housing policy solutions, and break down barriers to housing production. The Program Manager serves as the primary point of contact for approximately 10 cities in one of three cohorts: Expediting Permitting, Enabling ADU and Modular Construction, and launching city Housing Strike Forces. 

Reporting to the Project Director, this role is deeply involved in day-to-day program implementation and direct engagement with participating cities.

The Program Manager brings a strong foundation in housing, local government, or community development and thrives in a highly collaborative, execution-oriented environment. This role requires the ability to manage multiple city relationships simultaneously, translate program goals into clear and actionable workplans, and coordinate effectively with internal teams, external partners, and subject matter experts. The Program Manager ensures cities stay on track, comply with program guidelines, and derive maximum value from the technical assistance provided.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions: 

City-Facing Technical Assistance and Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for approximately 10 participating cities, providing ongoing support as they develop and execute city-specific workplans.
• Guide cities through onboarding by orienting city staff to program resources, expectations, milestones, and timelines, ensuring grant activities align with program guidelines and requirements.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with city staff and partners to support cities in developing and executing workplans to implement pro-housing policies and support problem-solving and sustained engagement.

Program Implementation and Support

• Support the development and execution of an in-depth technical assistance initiative designed to help cities boost housing supply and pursue innovative housing policy solutions.
• Work closely with the Project Director and collaborate regularly with staff from the program’s administrative coordinating partner (external consulting firm) to support program design and execution, including development of templates for workplans, reports, and other required deliverables.
• Assist in refining tools and processes that support consistent and effective TA delivery across cities.

Progress Monitoring and Issue Resolution

• Monitor city progress toward identified goals, milestones, and objectives, working closely with staff from administrative coordinating partner.
• Identify challenges, risks, or capacity gaps and elevate issues to the Project Director with proposed solutions or recommendations.
• Support troubleshooting and course correction to keep cities on track toward desired outcomes.

Coordination with Partners and SMEs

• Coordinate with the administrative coordinating partner and subject matter experts to schedule regular check-ins, meetings, and TA activities with participating cities.
• Ensure smooth communication and follow-through among cities, consultants, and internal program staff.
• Support SMEs in preparing for and delivering effective, well-aligned technical assistance engagements.

Cohort Support and Knowledge Sharing

• Work with the Project Director to identify, design, and implement peer learning opportunities among participating cities, including cohorts, webinars, and shared learning sessions.
• Coordinate and implement cohort-based convenings and peer learning sessions, including developing agendas, preparing briefing materials, and documenting key takeaways for distribution to participants.
• Provide quality assurance / quality control on all technical assistance deliverables and related communications.
• Support documentation and dissemination of promising practices, tools, and lessons learned across the cohort.

Communications, Reporting, and Learning

• Support the Project Director and SMEs in developing content, materials, and communications needed for TA delivery and participant engagement.
• Work with the Project Director to monitor progress toward program-wide goals and milestones.
• Capture success stories, challenges, feedback, and insights from participating cities to inform continuous improvement and external communications.

Preferred qualifications and characteristics: 

• Demonstrated ability to take on increasing professional responsibility with at least 7 years of relevant work experience in city government, housing development, or related fields. 
• Hands-on experience in city or local government, including roles in mayor’s offices, city departments or close partners to local government entities, strongly desired.
• Bachelor’s degree and experience, expertise and knowledge in the areas of public policy, public administration, political science, economics, urban planning, project management, or business preferred. We actively value practical experience and proven capabilities in lieu of formal education.
• Experience and passion for inclusive economic growth and improving outcomes for underserved and historically disinvested people and places.
• Very strong written and oral communication skills, including demonstrated ability to understand, communicate with, and authentically engage people across a wide range of different geographies, backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Content knowledge in housing, local economic and community development, place-based innovation strategies, innovative finance and capital attraction, and/or federal funding sources.
• Strong attention to detail, ability to plan out next steps, and successfully execute against a work plan, while remaining adaptable to changing circumstances and community or team needs.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a small, entrepreneurial, and fast-paced team in a fully-remote work environment with relentless positivity. 
• Genuinely loves working in community, meeting new people, finding common ground, and respect for difference.

Location & Travel: AFA offers an exciting and unique professional opportunity with regular interaction with America’s top city, business, and philanthropic leaders. AFA is a fully-remote organization with all employees working from home; domestic travel to the communities we serve is a regular part of our work (20% of time on average). We are a fun-loving team who aims to make a difference!

The nature of the work requires the following physical demands:

• Ability to sit for long periods (up to 3.5 hours at a time) with occasional short breaks;
• Ability to travel by train, plane and automobile without assistance to and from events and meetings;
• Minimal movement required; primarily stationary or seated tasks; 
• Ability to use a computer, phone, or other office equipment for extended periods; and
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and/or verbally with internal and external stakeholders.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Benefits: AFA currently offers a competitive benefits package that includes comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance, as well as a 401(K) retirement plan with a partial employer match.

AFA promotes a culture of inclusion and prohibits discrimination in any employment or promotional practices on the basis of race, color, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), religion, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected factor.