Executive Director

Housing is one of the defining issues of our time — and Arizona is where real change is happening. The Arizona Neighborhood Project is looking for a bold, driven leader to take the helm at a pivotal moment in our growth: someone ready to shape policy, build coalitions, and open the door to more homes in more communities. If you want your work to make a visible difference in people's lives, we want to hear from you.

At a Glance

- Reports to: ANP Board of Directors
- Location: Phoenix, AZ — floating desk at Galvanize coworking space; occasional travel
- Employment: Full-time employee (W-2); approximately 40 hours per week
- Compensation: $140,000–$180,000 per year, depending on experience
- Application deadline: July 22, 2026 — reviewed on a rolling basis

About the Organization

The Arizona Neighborhood Project (ANP) is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization working to advance ambitious pro-housing policy across Arizona. We win change at the municipal and state level by building coalitions, engaging communities, and shaping land-use and housing policy. ANP is small, fast-moving, and growing: we are expanding our work into related areas such as public transportation and smart growth, and we are exploring the launch of an affiliated 501(c)(3). This is an opportunity to lead and build an organization at an important moment in its growth.

Position Summary

ANP is seeking an Executive Director (ED) to lead the organization, grow its capacity, and drive its policy agenda. This is a hands-on leadership role for a candidate who combines strong nonprofit management experience with a passion for housing and a builder's mindset. The ED oversees operations and finances, leads fundraising, sets and executes policy strategy, supports and grows the team, and partners closely with the Board. The ED is ANP's primary public representative and works alongside the organization's contract lobbyists, who lead lobbying activity.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Operations

- Lead day-to-day operations and ensure the organization runs effectively and in compliance with applicable laws.
- Develop and execute ANP's strategic plan, including expansion into public transportation, smart growth, and related land-use issues.
- Manage organizational finances: draft budgets, oversee spending, and ensure long-term financial sustainability.
- Maintain compliance and reporting appropriate to a 501(c)(4), and help plan and stand up an affiliated 501(c)(3).
- Identify and engage a new legal firm for the organization, and manage the relationship with outside counsel.
- Serve as ANP's primary spokesperson and represent the organization to media and the public.

Fundraising & Development

- Lead fundraising; cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and funders.
- Expand and diversify ANP's funding sources and overall organizational capacity.
- Build the fundraising infrastructure and relationships needed to support growth and a future 501(c)(3).

Policy & Advocacy

- Set and drive ANP's municipal policy campaigns and support state-level policy work where appropriate.
- Coordinate closely with ANP's contract lobbyists, who lead lobbying activity.
- Register as a lobbyist as required and meet with policymakers, agencies, and partner organizations.
- Research housing, zoning, land-use, transit, and smart-growth issues; draft policy materials, fact sheets, and written content.
- Lead the Policy Committee; give presentations and represent ANP at conferences and stakeholder meetings.

Team & Talent

- Supervise and support ANP's Grassroots Organizer.
- Assess capacity needs and make key hires, including evaluating a policy analyst/writer to support state legislation.
- Foster an effective, inclusive, and mission-driven organizational culture.

Board Partnership & Governance

- Report to and partner with the Board, which meets monthly; provide regular updates on initiatives, strategy, and spending.
- Support the Board in governance, strategy, and fundraising, including the potential 501(c)(3) launch and expansion into new issue areas.

Required Qualifications

- Strong understanding of nonprofit management and operations, with experience leading or helping lead a nonprofit.
- Working knowledge of 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) structures and compliance — including permissible activities, lobbying rules, and standing up or managing affiliated entities. (This is essential to the role.)
- Demonstrated fundraising experience, with a track record of securing and growing funding.
- Legal, policy, or advocacy background in housing, zoning, or land use.
- Familiarity with Arizona state and local government and the legislative process.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting policy and written materials.
- Ability to manage budgets, projects, and staff or contractors with attention to detail and strategic insight.
- Self-directed, adaptable, and comfortable with ambiguity in a fast-paced political environment.

Preferred Qualifications

- Existing relationships with Arizona legislators, municipal leaders, funders, or housing and transit coalitions.
- Experience launching or managing a 501(c)(3), or an affiliated C3/C4 structure.
- Experience with grassroots organizing, community engagement, or campaign management.
- Interest or background in public transportation and smart-growth policy.

Work Environment & Logistics

- Phoenix-based, with a floating desk at the Galvanize coworking space and occasional travel.
- The ED provides their own computer and operating system.
- ANP operates on Google Workspace and will provide a Workspace account.
- Approximately 40 hours per week on average, including support for monthly Board meetings.

Compensation

$140,000–$180,000 per year, depending on experience. This is a full-time, salaried W-2 employee position. ANP provides paid sick time and workers' compensation coverage as required by Arizona law; it does not offer health insurance, retirement, or other employee benefits.

To Apply

Please submit a resume and a cover letter; a portfolio of work is optional. Applications are due July 22, 2026, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are encouraged.

Equal Opportunity

The Arizona Neighborhood Project is an equal opportunity organization. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Candidates who do not meet every qualification are still encouraged to apply.