Senior Strategy Manager, Government Affairs | Housing

About the role

You will establish and lead EliseAI's government affairs and public policy function from the ground up, defining strategy in the absence of any existing playbook. You will own the relationships, intelligence, and positioning required to navigate the fast-moving policy landscape around housing and technology. This role sits at the intersection of housing, technology, and public policy, where you will translate legislative and regulatory developments into clear strategic advantage. You will represent EliseAI to policymakers and industry coalitions, shaping the conversation rather than merely reacting to it. You will advise product, legal, and leadership teams to ensure policy risks and opportunities are addressed early in strategic decisions. You will manage outside counsel, lobbyists, and consultants as the function scales to meet growing demands. You will partner with go-to-market teams to unlock government and affordable-housing opportunities through targeted stakeholder engagement.

Key facts

What you'll do

Build and own the end-to-end government affairs and public policy strategy for EliseAI as a 0-to-1 function with no inherited playbook.

Establish and manage relationships with housing authorities, federal and state government agencies, regulators, and other public-sector stakeholders across key markets.

Monitor, analyze, and synthesize legislative and regulatory developments related to AI regulation, fair housing, data privacy, tenant screening, and affordable housing programs such as LIHTC and Section 8/PBRA.

Translate complex policy language into clear internal guidance and strategic recommendations that influence product, legal, and commercial decisions.

Shape public policy in support of EliseAI's mission by authoring position papers, comment letters, and testimony for external and internal audiences.

Represent EliseAI in industry associations and coalitions to build credibility, share insights, and strengthen the company's voice in housing and technology policy.

Partner with the go-to-market team to identify and unlock government and affordable-housing opportunities through strategic stakeholder relationships.

Manage external counsel, lobbyists, and consultants, aligning their work with EliseAI's strategic priorities and growth objectives.

Anticipate regulatory trends and translate them into actionable scenarios, enabling proactive rather than reactive policy management.

Serve as the primary policy advisor to leadership, ensuring that regulatory considerations are embedded in strategic planning and decision-making.

Develop and maintain a comprehensive policy intelligence framework to track risks, opportunities, and stakeholder positions over time.

Champion EliseAI's mission in public forums, ensuring that the company's perspective is included in the formation of housing and technology policy.

Build and mentor internal stakeholders on government affairs best practices to elevate policy literacy across the organization.

Maintain strict confidentiality and discretion in all external engagements, protecting the company's strategic interests and relationships.

Act as the key liaison between EliseAI and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment and consistency in policy positions and messaging.

Requirements

7+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy, or regulatory strategy at a high-growth technology startup, or a comparable role at a top-tier management consultancy.

Strong command of the legislative and regulatory landscape at the intersection of housing and technology, with familiarity with fair housing, AI and data-privacy regulation, or affordable housing programs such as LIHTC and Section 8/PBRA.

Established relationships with government stakeholders - housing authorities, agencies, or regulators - or a proven ability to build such relationships quickly from a standing start.

Demonstrated success in building something from 0-to-1 and operating effectively in environments without a defined playbook or precedent.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to author policy positions and represent EliseAI credibly in public and government settings.

Strong analytical judgment, with the capacity to translate policy and regulation into commercial implications for product, revenue, and strategy.

Comfortable with travel for agency, legislative, and industry engagements, including travel to Washington, DC and state capitals as required.

Ability and willingness to work in person at the company's NYC headquarters 4-5 days per week to ensure close collaboration and alignment with the team.

Nice to have

Prior experience working on AI regulation, fair housing policy, or data privacy legislation in a government or policy-setting environment.

Experience engaging with coalitions or industry associations focused on housing technology or proptech policy.

Background in affordable housing programs such as LIHTC, Section 8, or PBRA, and familiarity with how public funding mechanisms intersect with technology solutions.

Practical notes

This role requires travel for agency, legislative, and industry engagements, including travel to Washington, DC and state capitals.

The successful candidate must be able to work in person at the NYC headquarters 4-5 days per week.

The position reports to the Director of Business Development & Partnerships and operates within a fast-moving, high-growth startup environment.