About SPUR

SPUR is a nonprofit public policy organization in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through research, education, and advocacy, SPUR works to create an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous region where all people thrive. We bring people together from across the political spectrum to develop solutions to the big problems facing our region, with a special emphasis on the largest three cities: San Francisco, Oakland, and San José. We are recognized and respected for our independent and holistic approach to urban issues.

General Summary

SPUR believes that local governments are essential to ensuring the health, safety, and economic prosperity of Bay Area communities. The Governance and Economy policy team works on initiatives to accomplish three goals: 1) improve the local government’s capacity to address pressing challenges; 2) build effective fiscal policies to ensure the equitable distribution of public resources; and 3) support voter education and engagement through rigorous ballot analysis at the local, regional, and state levels. The Governance and Economy Policy Director will lead new and existing SPUR initiatives on charter reform, budget analysis, and procurement in San José, San Francisco, and Oakland that advance SPUR’s public policy goals. 

This role is perfect for someone with deep knowledge of urban issues in Bay Area cities and a passion to help the region become more prosperous, sustainable, and equitable through effective government and economic policies that improve prosperity and advance equity. Candidates must have a professional background in public policy research and advocacy, or have held a senior role in state or local government.

The Opportunity

Local governments are essential to ensuring the health, safety, and economic prosperity of Bay Area communities. The Governance and Economy Policy Director will continue ongoing policy work to update city charters in Oakland and San Francisco to create clear lines of authority and accountability, build the capacity of government staff in the region to streamline government operations and manage performance. The Governance and Economy Policy Director will also develop new initiatives in San José and Oakland to advance policies that redress the inequitable distribution of public resources and work to promote inclusive prosperity. In addition, the director will lead SPUR’s voter guide work to provide voters in San Francisco, San José, and Oakland with in-depth analysis and recommendations for ballot measures at the state, regional, and city levels. This role requires excellent research skills, policy and political judgment, project management and people management skills, and experience communicating urban policy issues to policymakers and the public.  This role also serves as an ambassador to local government staff, elected officials, business and community leaders, and partner organizations. The Governance and Economy Policy Director will report to the Chief Policy Officer.

Core Responsibilities

• Sets the agenda and leads a team of staff and contractors to deliver impactful work that advances SPUR’s policy priorities for the region
• Conduct analyses of various functions of local government, including analysis of the government structures and processes necessary to address the region’s most pressing challenges
• Research effective fiscal policies that allocate public resources equitably and promote inclusive prosperity, ensuring that all people can participate in and benefit from economic growth.
• Leverage best practices from other important cities and insights from local experts to provide recommendations for policy change.
• Work collaboratively with key stakeholders, elected leaders, and decision-makers to begin building support for reform. 
• Leverage media and other forums to bring research findings into the public discourse as we progress. 
• Produce high-quality policy analysis and recommendations in the form of articles, briefs, and reports.
• Lead SPUR’s ballot analysis efforts at the local, regional, and state levels. 
• Design advocacy campaigns to influence legislation, plans, ballot measures, and policies/regulations.
• Cultivate strong relationships with key partners.  
• Participate in and lead coalitions, working groups, and task forces. 
• Define project scope and goals, manage consultant support, set and meet deadlines, and design and execute engagement plans. 
• As relevant, provide effective staff development and oversight.

Requirements

• The candidate must be knowledgeable about governance and public policy issues in large U.S. cities. Knowledge of the San Francisco Bay Area context in the areas of municipal budgets, tax policy, and local government reform is highly desirable.
• The candidate must be a strong writer who can make technical policy issues interesting and intelligible to a general audience.
• The job requires working in partnership with external stakeholders, including SPUR’s City Advisory Boards and Board of Directors. The candidate must have an appreciation for partnerships and strong meeting facilitation and communication skills. Experience managing diverse coalitions to drive change is highly desirable.
• The candidate must have experience effectively managing projects, setting deadlines, and meeting milestones.
• The candidate must support the organization’s fundraising efforts. Experience in sourcing grant funding for public policy initiatives is desirable.
• The candidate must have both high emotional intelligence and relationship management skills, with experience working in teams and across departments.
• The candidate must have experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and the ability to explain methodologies and express findings through tables, graphs, and charts. 
• The candidate must understand how to utilize data and other sources to conduct equity analyses and use policy development to advance equity outcomes.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in public policy, public administration, urban planning, or equivalent combination of experience and education required.

Benefits

The salary range for this position is $130,000-$160,000 and will be based on experience and commensurate with skills and qualifications. This is a full-time, exempt position. SPUR offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, vision care, basic life insurance, pre-tax commuter benefits, work from home stipend, employee assistance program (EAP), and retirement plan with twenty-five percent contribution matching. SPUR offers 6 months of paid maternity or paternity leave to bond with a newborn or adopted child within the first year of birth or adoption.

Hybrid Work Environment

SPUR has a hybrid workplace model that combines remote and in-person work. We have mandatory all-staff in-person days on Mondays and Wednesdays. Staff may be required to attend other in-person meetings, events, and programs around the Bay Area region as needed. All policies are subject to change.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SPUR is an equal opportunity employer with a strong organizational commitment to respecting differences of all kinds. SPUR prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, political orientation, or disability or any other basis prohibited by law. In that spirit, we strongly encourage applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ applicants, and others who will contribute to the diversity of our staff.

Applicants With Disabilities

Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so assigned.