Government Relations Director for a Leading National Developer in the Affordable Housing Industry

The Role

Government Relations Director

The Challenge

Our client is one of the nation’s most respected and innovative purpose-driven leaders in affordable housing. They operate in approximately 20 states, supported by a team of over 1,300 dedicated employees across offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix, and Minneapolis. For more than 50 years, they have delivered excellence in the development and management of affordable housing communities across the United States, engaging with their residents to foster a strong sense of community and connection.

Time was of the essence. Our client was seeking a partnership with an executive search firm that could execute a successful search in less than 90 days.

Our Approach

Our experienced executive search team deployed a tailored approach to identify candidates with demonstrated experience managing and developing professionals within a policy, government affairs, or advocacy function.

Additionally, candidates needed to have experience with policy analysis, policy influence, and government relations in complex regulatory environments.

The search launched focusing efforts on candidates local to three specific markets.

Our team identified 216 candidates who met the client’s requirements. Through a comprehensive, multi-phase evaluation, including in-depth background analysis and assessment of leadership style and cultural fit, eight candidates were presented to our client for consideration resulting in two finalists.

The Results

After presenting a hyper-focused shortlist, our client was pleased to advance two highly-qualified candidates to the final interview stage. Within 67 business days, the team successfully secured a Government Relations Director. The chosen candidate brought deep, credibility-driven relationships across the affordable housing ecosystem, built through years of partnering with for-profit and nonprofit developers, local governments, elected officials, and executive agencies. 

“I could hire any of the candidates you presented. I have to say, I’m impressed.”

– Chief Operating Officer of Development, Dominium