Director of Sustainability and Climate Initiatives

Description:

About Us:

The Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), a non-profit public agency, works with communities to create innovative policy and financing solutions that provide affordable homes and better lives for the people of Massachusetts. Our mission is to pioneer new development and financing models that make more effective use of public resources, are responsive to local needs, promote racial equity, and achieve greater impact than conventional approaches to affordable housing. MHP focuses on the following areas: Community Assistance, Rental Development and Portfolio Management, Homeownership and Data & Policy.

MHP is committed to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) in our workplace. We are seeking a Director of Sustainability and Climate Initiatives whose values align with our dedication to DEIB and who is invested in contributing to and upholding these essential values.

Current Opportunity:

The Director of Sustainability and Climate Initiatives will support MHP’s mission of increasing the production of equitable and sustainable affordable housing across the Commonwealth. Reporting to the Director of Capital and Program Development, you will provide leadership and oversight of climate-related housing initiatives at MHP and represent MHP’s climate vision at the state level, including advancing the Commonwealth’s decarbonization goals for the housing sector and positioning MHP to best serve its borrowers with technical and financial resources for climate-related work. You will work closely with a diverse cross-section of MHP staff, state leaders, partner organizations, and affordable multifamily housing owners.

This position is grant-funded for up to three years and may be extended if additional funding sources are secured in the future.

What you will do:

• Oversee MHP’s climate-related program work, including but not limited to the MHP’s multifamily Green & Healthy Housing Financing programs and MHP’s involvement in the state-funded Climate-Ready Housing Program
• In conjunction with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and quasi-public partners, provide thought leadership and guidance in the development of a plan to decarbonize newly developed, preserved, or recapitalized affordable and public housing, advancing the Commonwealth’s Net Zero and related emissions reduction mandates
• Engage in strategy at MHP and at the state-level to identify, pursue, and leverage federal, state, and local resources for the decarbonization of multifamily affordable housing in Massachusetts, including establishing partnerships with community-based organizations and relationships with national consortium networks
• Serve as the spokesperson for MHP regarding climate issues statewide, fostering connections with individuals at various levels in both the public and private sectors
• Provide guidance and oversight to MHP on the creation of new loan programs related to decarbonization, and assist in the identification and readiness of projects within MHP’s pipeline that would be eligible for funding under the Inflation Reduction Act’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
• Provide advice on sustainability issues related to MHP’s work on transit-oriented development, state public housing, community-based housing, and related work
• Guide and support MHP’s Portfolio Management team and other internal and external partners in the analysis and identification of opportunities for decarbonization within MHP’s loan portfolio, and guide planning for climate-related capital work, resiliency, and emergency preparedness
• Partner with MHP’s senior management to establish MHP’s short- and long-term strategic goals related to decarbonization, and propose metrics to evaluate MHP’s decarbonization efforts and impacts
• Work with MHP’s state and quasi-public financing partners and the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank (MCCB) to define and develop the role and reach of the MCCB within the affordable housing sector
• Provide subject matter expertise on the construction and design of energy-efficient, low carbon housing, acting as a resource for MHP staff and borrowers
• Build MHP’s network within the housing and Climate community and develop regular communications with external partners including developers, state housing officials, building science professionals, and state and national policy makers
• Other duties as assigned and to achieve the mission of MHP

Compensation

The projected compensation for this role is $125,000 to $145,000 annually. This is a full-time position with potential to reduce the schedule by up to 25% (salary would be prorated). Any final offer will be based on various factors including job-related knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience. MHP’s compensation package also includes a variable compensation (VC) plan. Our VC plan is based upon individual, team, and organizational performance and is paid annually at the discretion of the board of directors.

Hybrid Schedule Policy

The Director of Sustainability and Climate Initiatives role is designated as Hybrid which includes both in-office and remote workdays. Positions designated as Hybrid are required to work out of the Boston office two days per week during the first 90 days of employment and may have the opportunity to reduce regular in-office days thereafter upon management approval. This position requires use of MHP’s hybrid workplace scheduling software to reserve office desk space each week. At least one office day must be on the designated team day. MHP’s office is conveniently located minutes from South Station. The position will utilize an MHP laptop which must be transported to and from the MHP office.

Benefits our employees value

MHP understands that benefits are an important consideration when looking for a new role. We are proud to offer our employees a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Hybrid and flexible work schedule
• Health insurance through the state’s Group Insurance Commission
• 403b retirement plans with employer match of up to 10% and immediate vesting
• Annual 5-week paid time off (PTO) benefit and 13 paid holidays
• Fully paid group term life, short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Dental insurance through MetLife with 90% of premium covered by MHP
• Vision insurance through VSP with 50% of premium covered by MHP
• Medical and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Public transportation reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement up to $10,000
• Professional development resources and assistance
• First time homebuyer assistance up to $20,000
• Generous home office benefit
• Membership discount for onsite gym

Travel

Travel may occasionally be required within Massachusetts. Valid Driver’s license or ability to acquire one and/or reliable means of transportation required.

MHP is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, past or present military service, status as an individual with a disability, or any other legally protected characteristics. MHP is committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Requirements:

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• 8-10 years’ experience in the affordable housing or community development sector, with an emphasis on Sustainability and/or building science.
• Visibility as a thought leader in the Sustainability and energy efficiency of affordable housing.
• Experience engaging with executives and senior leaders in both the public and private sectors on climate-related housing issues and best practices.
• Experience with building science best practices, as well as the challenges and opportunities, in the context of affordable housing development.
• Experience designing, implementing, and evaluating housing and community development programs with federal, state, local, and private sector entities.
• Strong leadership, organizational, relationship management, and interpersonal skills.
• Effectiveness in pursuing and sustaining funding sources for climate-focused housing work.
• Ability to distill complex and nuanced information into digestible materials for a variety of audiences, such as research briefs, web content, presentation materials, and social media content.
• Comfort working in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability, willingness, and comfort engaging diverse individuals and communities.