Application Guide

How to Apply for Municipal Policy Campaigns Manager

at Welcoming Neighbors Network

🏢 About Welcoming Neighbors Network

Welcoming Neighbors Network is unique as the national backbone organization coordinating 61 independent pro-housing member organizations across 32 states, making it the largest coalition driving housing abundance policy in the U.S. Working here means being at the center of the movement, providing strategic support to local advocates while leveraging national resources and expertise to create systemic change in housing policy.

About This Role

As Municipal Policy Campaigns Manager, you'll be the strategic partner to local organizations, helping them design and execute winning campaigns for pro-housing policies at the municipal level. This role is impactful because you'll directly influence whether communities adopt zoning reforms, land use changes, and regulatory updates that create more affordable housing, working at the intersection of policy, advocacy, and coalition-building.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start your day reviewing campaign updates from local organizations in three different states, then draft rapid-response messaging for a city council hearing happening that afternoon. Later, you could be analyzing a proposed zoning amendment's impact on housing production, followed by a strategy call with a member organization about coalition expansion tactics for their upcoming campaign launch.

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Welcoming Neighbors Network Is Looking For

  • Has hands-on experience with municipal policy change, either from advocacy campaigns (like zoning reform initiatives) or inside local government (such as planning departments or council offices)
  • Possesses deep, practical knowledge of housing policy specifics including zoning codes, land use regulations, density bonuses, and affordable housing mechanisms
  • Demonstrates exceptional writing ability through policy memos, campaign materials, or legislative language that has been used in actual municipal processes
  • Shows proven ability to build diverse coalitions across political, community, and stakeholder groups to advance housing policy goals

📝 Tips for Applying to Welcoming Neighbors Network

1

Quantify your municipal policy experience: Instead of 'worked on housing policy,' specify 'drafted amendments to Portland's inclusionary zoning ordinance that passed city council 7-2'

2

Show you understand WNN's distributed model: Mention how you've supported independent organizations while maintaining coalition cohesion

3

Include writing samples that demonstrate both policy analysis (like a zoning impact memo) and persuasive communication (like a campaign op-ed)

4

Reference specific WNN member organizations you're familiar with or have worked with in states where you have experience

5

Demonstrate your rapid-response capability by describing a time you quickly produced materials to counter opposition arguments in a policy campaign

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your direct experience with municipal housing policy change, specifying the jurisdiction, policy type, and your role', 'Examples of coalition-building with diverse partners (developers, community groups, elected officials) in housing contexts', 'Your ability to translate complex housing policy into compelling messaging for different audiences', "Why WNN's national-local model appeals to you and how you'd leverage national resources to support local campaigns"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review WNN's member organizations map to understand their geographic reach and identify local groups you might support
  • → Study recent WNN-supported policy wins like California's SB 9 or Minneapolis' 2040 Plan to understand their campaign approaches
  • → Familiarize yourself with key housing policy terms WNN emphasizes: 'abundant housing,' 'missing middle housing,' 'zoning reform,' 'by-right development'
  • → Research WNN's leadership team and their backgrounds in housing advocacy to understand organizational priorities
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through a specific municipal housing policy campaign you were involved in—what was your role and what made it successful?
2 How would you help a local organization in Texas build a coalition for ADU legalization when facing neighborhood opposition?
3 What messaging would you develop to persuade moderate city council members to support missing middle housing reforms?
4 Describe a time you had to rapidly respond to opposition arguments in a policy campaign—what materials did you create and why?
5 How do you balance supporting local autonomy with ensuring campaign alignment with WNN's national housing abundance goals?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on federal or state housing policy without demonstrating municipal-level experience
  • Using generic housing advocacy language without showing knowledge of specific zoning mechanisms or land use regulations
  • Presenting as an individual expert rather than a coalition-builder who empowers local organizations
  • Failing to acknowledge the political challenges of municipal housing reform and opposition from neighborhood groups

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Welcoming Neighbors Network!

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