Senior Researcher, Housing and Cities
Job Description
Updated: April 2025
Program: Housing and Cities
Sightline Job Level: Senior Manager
Reports To: Senior Director, Housing and Cities
FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Direct Reports: n/a
Overview
The Senior Researcher is a leading contributor to Sightline’s Housing and Cities program, advancing the program’s goals and strategy through top-notch research, communications, and partnership building. The Senior Researcher reports to the Senior Director, Housing and Cities and collaborates closely with them to set and advance the program’s policy priorities in Cascadia, while staying abreast of important housing and cities developments in the region and beyond. This role is a Senior Manger level position in accordance with Sightline’s organizational job performance and performance level.
Primary Responsibilities/Essential Duties
Research, Policy Analysis, and Strategy Development
· Conduct high-quality, accurate, and thorough original policy research on complex, challenging topics to advance the Housing and Cities program’s strategic goals and support the Senior Director, Housing and Cities.
· Proactively identify and propose high-leverage opportunities to advance the Housing and Cities program’s strategy.
· Work with the Senior Director, Housing & Cities to help shape the Housing and Cities program’s future strategy and work plans, including by identifying, proposing, and vetting promising policy and regulatory interventions.
· Stay abreast of the housing and cities field, including by identifying, monitoring, and evaluating housing and cities policies and regulatory developments in Cascadia as well as leading examples from elsewhere.
Writing and Communications
· Draft high-quality, field-leading articles and policy briefs and other written materials that synthesize research, effectively convey arguments, and advance the Climate and Energy program’s strategic goals.
· Clearly, accurately, and strategically communicate Sightline’s Climate and Energy priorities to internal and external audiences.
· Work with the communications team, development team, and Director of Climate and Energy to develop needed materials, such as newsletters, press releases, and grant proposals.
Partnership Development and Coalition Building
· Collaborate with the Director, Climate & Energy to cultivate strategically valuable relationships that support the Climate and Energy program’s goals, including with legislators and other policymakers.
· Support the Director, Climate & Energy to advance the Climate and Energy program’s goals during legislative session, including by tracking key developments and proposing opportunities for influence.
· Effectively represent Sightline at meetings with policymakers, allies, and other stakeholders.
Sightlining
In addition, as for all staff members, the Senior Researcher is expected to:
· Participate fully in the life of the organization, contributing to Sightline’s cohesiveness and supportive working environment and fostering its culture of collaboration and consensus seeking.
· Serve on teams and committees as needed to contribute to Sightline’s continued improvement.
· Treat all fellow staff members, interns, and volunteers with integrity and goodwill and without prejudice in regard to race, religion, ethnicity, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or other personal attributes irrelevant to job performance.
· Participate in Sightline’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work. This may include utilizing Sightline’s equity tools, engaging in all-staff discussions, creating annual individual and team DEI goals, and serving on the DEI committee.
· Exemplify the policies and aspirations laid out in the Book of Sightline and contribute to improving them.
General Performance Expectations
Desired Outcomes
Work Strategically:
· Independently complete complex research projects, including identifying core research questions, conducting rigorous, accurate analysis, anticipating and proactively responding to research challenges, and developing compelling arguments.
· Conduct high-quality, accurate research to support the Director, Climate & Energy.
· Conceive of and propose research projects to the Director, Climate & Energy that align with and advance the Climate and Energy program’s strategy.
· Devise creative and efficient ways to answer research questions, gather and analyze data, and test hypotheses.
· Cultivate strategically valuable external relationships in collaboration with the Director, Climate & Energy and propose clever ways to reach desired audiences with Sightline’s arguments.
· Propose high-potential, research-backed strategies for the Climate and Energy program’s future direction and contribute substantially to team work planning.
Deliver High Quality Work on Time:
· Independently develop and manage research project workplans, propose and meet deadlines, and stay on top of moving pieces for multiple competing projects as agreed upon with the Director, Climate & Energy.
· Produce clear, well-organized, concise writing products that effectively synthesize research findings and policy recommendations.
· Ensure accuracy, thoroughness, and Sightline’s publication standards in all research outputs.
Improve Continually:
· Demonstrate an ability and eagerness to quickly learn new skills and topic areas and take on new responsibilities.
· Proactively seek out and incorporate constructive feedback as well as constructively provide feedback to colleagues.
· Embrace a beginner’s mindset, demonstrating an openness to changing perspectives based on new information or feedback.
· Stay current on emerging trends in the climate and energy space, integrating insights into current and future work
Exemplify Teamwork:
· Help facilitate project teams with clear and timely directives, updates, and proactive coordination on internal and external meetings, including following up with next steps.
· Foster a positive and inclusive team culture that values and promotes diversity of ideas and backgrounds.
Physical Requirements
Physical Abilities
This position requires the ability to perform those activities to complete the primary responsibilities/essential functions of the job, either with or without reasonable accommodation. Required physical activities can include talking, hearing, seeing, frequent keyboard fingering, repetitive motions of the hands and wrists, sitting, standing, lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying objects.
Occasionally the position requires stressful experiences involving resolving problems when dealing with others or in meeting deadlines.
Work Environment
Work is performed primarily in a remote or home office setting. Senior researchers spend the major part of the workday exchanging information verbally and in writing via telephone, email, or other electronic methods. This position requires occasional travel to various locations, usually within the Cascadia region. Travel may include attending conferences, meetings, and other work-related activities.
Sightline is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law. If you have a disability and require accommodation to perform the essential functions of this job, please contact the Human Resources Manager to discuss your needs.
Caveat
This job description does not imply that the duties it describes are the only duties to be performed. Employees occupying this position will be required to follow any other related instruction and perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.