Affordable Housing Planning Manager

The Office of Housing is looking for a creative, experienced, forward-thinking individual to fill the role of Affordable Housing Planning Manager to help us shape and catalyze positive change in the city. 

The Affordable Housing Planning Manager leads a small but mighty team to develop and implement planning, funding, development, and related programs that advance affordable housing in Bellevue. Under the direction of the Office of Housing Director, the Manager plays a critical role in overseeing the affordable housing work plan, leading strategic internal and external partnerships, and elevating equitable and community-centered practices. 

The successful candidate will lead a focused group of professional staff to advance Council priorities relating to policy development, oversee the ongoing affordable housing program, and collaborate on code development led by the Development Services Department. The Affordable Housing Manager will work collaboratively with other city staff, A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH), non-profit and private-sector housing developers, other housing advocates and service providers, neighborhood groups, and residents. Work in 2026 and 2027 will include implementation of the 2026-32 Affordable Housing Strategy, updates to affordable housing development incentives, development of two city-owned properties for affordable housing, a significant affordable housing funding round, strategy for future affordable housing investments, and implementation of specific policy actions per direction from City Council.

Opportunity

Bellevue’s core values – exceptional public service, stewardship, innovation, integrity, equity, and commitment to employees – guide the work of the Office of Housing.  As a welcoming, multicultural, innovation-focused city, Bellevue strives to create inclusive communities where everyone can thrive. The Office of Housing, located in the City Manager’s Office, is committed to supporting the City’s vision by advancing the 2026-32 Affordable Housing Strategy, expanding access to diverse housing choices, responding to homelessness, and fostering equitable, inclusive communities. The Office of Housing includes two primary work groups, each led by a Manager: Affordable Housing, and Homelessness Outreach.

The City of Bellevue is rapidly maturing into a tech-centric, diverse, metropolitan city within the Central Puget Sound Region. Bellevue is building the city of the future. Our welcoming, multicultural, innovation-focused community attracts people from around the world to live, work, and play here. A top priority of Bellevue’s growth strategy is providing a broad spectrum of affordable living opportunities to meet evolving needs for people throughout their lives. The city seeks to build upon accomplishments in recent years as it has ramped up its affordable housing work and launched an Office of Housing to meet this challenge.

This is an exciting time to engage in affordable housing in Bellevue. The Planning Manager has the opportunity to address critical housing needs in this growing and changing community and support organizational alignment to further housing outcomes.

Bellevue’s Office of Housing is also seeking an Affordable Housing Senior Planner. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply to both opportunities.

MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION

• In collaboration with the Office of Housing Director, defines the goals, implementation strategies, and performance measures of the Office’s affordable housing work program.
• Manages program budget and leads a team of professional staff to effectively carry out work program.
• Provides timely feedback to staff based on performance expectations and supports professional development.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE

• Provides expert knowledge of affordable housing, strategic plan development, public policy formulation, and legislative action, along with associated inclusive engagement processes.
• Provides expertise in affordable housing development and funding programs.
• Applies long-term perspective to housing and development issues. Understands interrelatedness of growth and housing affordability issues and implications for Bellevue’s future.
• Applies appropriate analytical methods to affordable housing issues and projects, draws logical conclusions, and makes well-justified recommendations.

LEADERSHIP

• Demonstrates integrity, credibility, trust and respect to city staff, council, boards and commissions, regional partners, and the public.
• Provides comprehensive mindset in developing ideas and work programs that advance affordable housing initiatives and city goals.
• Identifies emerging issues, develops strategies to address, and proactively seeks to resolve problems. 
• Works to instill in staff a commitment to the organization and to its affordable housing principles and goals.
• Represents the city at relevant local, regional, and statewide forums.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Provides clear information to the community regarding affordable housing needs, strategies to address, and progress on implementation.
• Assures the Affordable Housing workgroup serves the public interest while providing high quality service and progress towards housing goals.
• Brings forward new, innovative ideas to help the community meet identified housing goals.
• Provides technical assistance to developers and property owners on the city’s affordable housing programs and incentives.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Oversees the Office of Housing’s Affordable Housing Program, including ongoing elements such as the multifamily tax exemption program, capital investment and partnerships, and discrete affordable housing initiatives. 
• Personally manages, or oversees the manager, of affordable housing policy and implementation initiatives. 
• Develops systems, policies and procedures to produce quality, cost-effective work.
• Builds effective monitoring and evaluation methods into projects or programs and uses results of evaluation to make future improvements.
• Provides effective oversight of project team members as well as consultants as applicable.

COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION

• Develops and maintains productive relationships with elected officials, advisory boards, regional partners, other city departments, the news media, and diverse groups within the community.
• Demonstrates an ability to navigate the city's political environment and sensitivities, and to function effectively within that environment. 
• Uses innovative, creative approaches for disseminating information and engaging everyone in the community.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from an accredited four-year university with a degree in community development, urban planning, public policy, public administration, or a closely related field. 
• Master’s degree in planning, economics, public administration, or a related discipline preferred.
• A minimum of seven years’ progressively responsible experience in leading work and supervising staff in support of affordable housing, strategic plan development, public policy formulation, city planning, and/or legislative action, including at least three years of supervisory experience.
• A clear equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required mix of knowledge, skills and abilities is welcome.
• AICP certification preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Expert knowledge of housing affordability issues, funding sources, regulatory frameworks, and housing finance concepts.
• Expert knowledge of planning principles, Growth Management Act requirements, zoning laws, and land use policy.
• Demonstrate a commitment to creating diverse, equitable communities.
• Inclusive approach to collaboration, valuing unique views, building a sense of belonging, and strengthening partnerships.
• Ability to anticipate emerging issues, develop innovative approaches, and solve problems proactively.
• Skill in researching complex issues, preparing reports, and delivering succinct, persuasive presentations.
• Strong communication skills; ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences on complex or sensitive topics, adjusting communication styles to connect with people from different backgrounds.
• Think conceptually, observe and evaluate trends, analyze data, draw logical conclusions, and make sound recommendations.
• Proficiency in project management techniques and Microsoft Office tools. Experience in data visualization tools such as Power BI preferred.
• Ability to navigate political environments with tact and diplomacy.
• Foster an environment of productive teamwork, builds an inclusive team culture, provides for professional growth and advancement.
• Skill in supervising staff with different specialties, navigating organizational change.

Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. 
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry objects up to 40 pounds. 
• The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet.

Flexible/Hybrid Working:
A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period working in the office after hire.  Remote work for this position is subject to department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.  Community Outreach manager responsible for programming that may include evening and weekends.