Local Campaign Coordinator

ABOUT US: At New Jersey Future (NJF), we believe that great places help build great lives. To help create and preserve our great places, we promote sensible and equitable planning, redevelopment, and infrastructure investments that foster vibrant cities and towns; protect natural lands and waterways; enhance transportation choices; support a strong economy; and provide access to safe, affordable, and aging-friendly neighborhoods for everyone. We do this through original research, innovative policy development, coalition-building, advocacy, and hands-on strategic assistance. Embracing differences and advancing fairness is central to our mission and operations, and we are firmly committed to pursuing greater justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work and culture. NJF offers a fast-paced and supportive work environment. NJF is located in downtown Trenton, NJ. For more information, visit www.njfuture.org.

About Great Homes and Neighborhoods for All: Great Homes and Neighborhoods for All

(GHNA) believes everyone in New Jersey deserves an affordable place to live in a safe, vibrant,

climate-safe community. GHNA is a statewide, pro-housing initiative that publicly launched in

November 2024 to tackle New Jersey’s housing and neighborhood challenges, inadequate

systems for land use and zoning, and the resulting racial, socioeconomic, and health inequities

through a 3-pronged strategy: 1) advocating for state policy changes, 2) supporting local

planning, and 3) cultivating a network of local pro-housing campaigns. The initiative is led by a

Steering Committee that includes advocates for smart growth, fair housing, and housing justice;

for-profit and nonprofit developers, and community development leaders; academics, local

pro-housing campaign representatives, and land use planners. More information is available at

bit.ly/ghna_nj.

POSITION SUMMARY: New Jersey Future is seeking a Local Campaign Coordinator within the

Land Use team to help the Great Homes and Neighborhoods for All initiative build a statewide,

pro-housing movement to address our state’s housing supply and affordability crisis. A key

piece of this work involves cultivating a network of local campaigns and supporting local land

use planning. The Local Campaign Coordinator will help seed the launch of new pro-housing

groups, while also building relationships with existing local organizations. Overall, the

coordinator will be responsible for developing and implementing GHNA’s educational,

outreach, and organizing strategy within key municipalities.

The Local Campaign Coordinator will report to the Policy Manager, Housing and Land Use. New

Jersey Future offers a fun, fast-paced, supportive work environment and the ability to make a difference. While NJF employees work a hybrid work-from-home/in-office schedule, this position will require work in the field and periodic travel throughout the state.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Organizing: Build power through a network of local pro-housing campaigns

• Establish and develop relationships with local residents, civic leaders, grassroots groups, local elected officials, and others in order to facilitate the launch of pro-housing campaigns across the state and build a network of effective advocates.
• Build local capacity by coaching and providing organizing and campaign support to community members and local groups. Campaign support may include identifying issues, developing a strategy chart, planning tactics, and power-mapping.
• Develop resources and trainings on organizing, advocacy, planning and housing policy.
• Connect supportive community members and pro-housing local elected officials to resources and state-level advocacy opportunities. Mobilize supporters to take action on policy priorities.
• Track local engagement and analyze CRM data to measure success and adjust strategies.
  
  

1. Local Policy and Planning

• Remain current on relevant policies, best practices, and housing/zoning reforms advancing in other cities and states in order to make policy and regulatory reform recommendations.
• Track municipal ordinances, zoning changes, and municipal planning processes in key locations, and work to pass local-level pro-housing reforms.
• In collaboration with GHNA staff and Steering Committee members, advance ideas to improve and support local land use planning.
  
  

• Provide project coordination for the broader GHNA initiative, and collaborate effectively with Land Use team members and partners.
• Assist with grant proposals, budget tracking, and funders’ reporting requirements.
• Contribute ideas for newsletter and listserv content at monthly Land Use / Communications meetings and assist in implementing overall GHNA communications strategy.
• Assist with social media content development.
• Help supervise intern projects, as needed.
• Support broader organizational efforts, such as NJF’s annual Planning and Redevelopment Conference.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience 
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
• Familiarity with at least one of NJF’s key policy areas—state policy, planning and redevelopment, the environment, housing, strong communities—or a strong desire to learn
• Excellent research and writing skills, with the ability to craft messages and produce materials for non-technical audiences 
• Strong verbal communication, public speaking, and listening skills, with experience presenting information to diverse audiences and facilitating meetings
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, with a high degree of autonomy
• Organizing experience—whether community organizing, labor, political, or movement/issue-based campaign organizing—is highly preferred
• Background in housing policy, community development, or planning is a plus
• Spanish-language skills are also a plus
• A driver’s license and access to reliable transportation are needed, as this role will require travel throughout the state
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends

COMPENSATION: The salary for this full-time position is in the range of $55,000 and $70,000 and depends on the candidate’s experience and skills. Salary is negotiable.

BENEFITS: New Jersey Future values hard work and a healthy work-life balance by offering flexible, family-friendly employment policies. Our competitive benefits package for full-time employees includes 100% employer-sponsored medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance coverage for staff and partial sponsorship of dependents. In addition, we offer a generous health reimbursement account and options for pre-tax flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care costs. New Jersey Future employees enjoy a defined contribution 401(k) retirement plan with a variable employer match, flexible work schedules including the opportunity to work partially remotely, generous paid time off policies, and paid holidays. To encourage use of public and active transportation, we offer commuter transit subsidies and access to a company car for work meetings. New Jersey Future is committed to the growth and development of staff and fostering a creative, inclusive workplace culture.

New Jersey Future employees are working on a hybrid work-from-home and in-office schedule.

APPLICATION: Interested and qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and a resume using our career page. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  If selected to advance, a brief writing sample that is original content (not edited or contributed to by someone other than the applicant) may be required and a brief assignment may be given. Relevant references will also be required. NJF currently is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. If hired, employment eligibility verification will be carried out upon selection.