Director of Engagement and Inclusion Massachusetts Housing Partnership

Director of Engagement and Inclusion

About Us

The Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), a non-profit quasi-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, be responsive to local needs, promote racial equity, and achieve more impact than conventional approaches to affordable housing. MHP focuses on four main areas: Community Assistance, Rental Development, Homeownership, and Data & Policy.

Over the years, we’ve achieved remarkable milestones in housing finance and community development across Massachusetts;

• Our financing initiatives have empowered the creation of over 30,000 rental housing units, injecting $1.9 billion into communities across the state
• Since 1991, the ONE Mortgage program (formerly SoftSecond) has been a game-changer, offering $4.8 billion in below- market financing. Thanks to this program, 25,000 low- and moderate- income families have realized their dream of homeownership
• Working hand in hand with local officials and advocates, we have expanded housing opportunities in over 335 cities and towns. Our annual Massachusetts Housing Institute is another cornerstone of our commitment, equipping over a thousand municipal officials with essential training to tackle housing challenges effectively
• Innovation drives our mission forward. We’ve pioneered visionary tools like Residensity, DataTown, and TODEX, empowering communities with data-driven insights to plan and accommodate new housing growth seamlessly

MHP is committed to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) in our workplace. We are seeking a Director of Engagement & Inclusion whose principles align with our dedication to DEIB and who possesses the ability to actively contribute to and further enhance these essential values.

You can learn more about MHP here.

Job Overview

The role of Director of Engagement and Inclusion is a recent addition to MHP. As the inaugural Director, you will be responsible for developing, influencing, and implementing strategies aimed at boosting staff engagement and fostering a strong sense of belonging. At MHP, we prioritize cultivating a sense of belonging as the ultimate goal of our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Your role as Director of Engagement and Inclusion will be pivotal in crafting and executing strategic initiatives to create an environment where all individuals feel valued and connected. You will play a central role in shaping a narrative that resonates both internally and externally, reaffirming MHP’s dedication to these essential principles.

Your responsibilities will include implementing policies and practices, forging partnerships that demonstrate our commitment, and utilizing data to ensure that every action contributes to the advancement of an equitable and inclusive culture within MHP. It will be crucial for the Director to tailor strategies to maximize outcomes within MHP’s hybrid work environment.

Reporting to the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, the Director will collaborate with the DEIB Working Group, work closely with the Director of Human Resources, and forge strong connections with the Leadership Team and MHP’s Executive Director.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

As Director of Engagement and Inclusion, you will be responsible for the following threads of work:

Strategic Leadership on DEIB

• Create and operationalize a unified DEIB vision and strategy in alignment with MHP goals and strategies in collaboration with Leadership Team and DEIB Working Group
• Review, recommend, and/or implement practices and policies to align with the DEIB vision and strategy
• Create and implement strategies to promote and grow a culture of belonging, equity, and inclusion across MHP via internal and external engagement, events, and programming

Organizational Engagement and Initiatives

• Identify, plan and coordinate engagement opportunities for MHP staff with a DEIB lens
• Lead and/or collaborate on internal cultural celebrations
• Operationalize and implement key priorities related to an internal DEIB learning agenda and future DEIB priorities
• Collaborate closely with the Director of HR at MHP to prioritize professional development with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, This encompasses talent acquisition, retention strategies, and fostering internal growth opportunities
• Manage the newly established internal mentorship program for MHP staff
  Guide the identification and selection of vendors and contractors with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) Internal Partnership and Communications
• Work with the Director of HR and Director of Policy and Communications to implement internal communications that drive awareness, engagement, and investment in MHP’s DEIB priorities.
• Partner with internal teams to listen, reflect, synthesize and plan actions of different constituent groups across MHP
• Be an available resource for employee concerns related to DEIB, and as appropriate/needed, work with Director of HR and General Counsel to address issues
• Develop internal and/or external statements related to emerging topics or relevant community issues/crises in real time

DEIB Partnerships and External Engagement

• Build relationships with other mission-aligned organizations to learn about and implement emerging practices in DEIB efforts
• Act as a resource for MHP teams as they develop external programs and services to ensure they align with MHP’s DEIB values
• Collaborate with Director of Policy and Communications to ensure MHP’s external presence (website, social media, statements, etc.) align and are responsive to DEIB values and emerging topics/crises in real time

Data Measurement and Goals

• Develop organizational goals and performance measures to advance MHP’s DEIB vision and strategy in partnership with Director of HR, Leadership Team and DEIB Working Group
• Collaborate with Director of HR to collect, analyze, and/or utilize employee data to inform priorities in accordance with MHP’s DEIB goals

Qualifications

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. This said, we are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below.

10+ years of related experience (ideally including culture & organizational development, learning and development, and/or diversity/equity) with at least 6 years of leadership experience
Experience in developing, implementing and assessing DEIB strategies, initiatives, programs and training, including demonstrated comfort with working with staff, senior management and external partners. Experience creating and presenting both virtually and in-person.
Comfortable stepping into a new role where change in responsibilities may change over time; flexibility for and tolerance of ambiguity
Strong verbal and written communication skills with a workstyle that is organized, innovative, and results oriented
Excellent people management skills; empathy and enthusiasm when building and maintaining professional relationships; ability to coach, develop, and motivate others to achieve outcomes
Ability to work independently with sound judgment, protect confidentiality, and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
Ability to analyze information, summarize findings, and present them in ways easily understandable to stakeholders
Openness to learning and willingness to give and receive feedback
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Teams, Excel, Word, and Outlook, Zoom and other business technologies

Location, Compensation and Benefits

This is a hybrid role that requires working at least 2 days a week, Tuesday-Thursday in our Boston office located minutes from South Station. Additionally, occasional travel will be necessary within Massachusetts. The compensation range for this role is $140,000 to $160,000, commensurate with lived and professional experiences. The listed range is just one component of MHP’s total compensation package for employees. MHP also offers a robust and inclusive benefits package including:

• Medical, vision and dental coverage
• 403(b) plan with company match up to 10%
• Employer paid life insurance, short and long-term disability
• Education assistance
• LinkedIn Learning access
• Reduced membership fee at our brand new, state of the art fitness center
• In addition, employees are also eligible for generous paid time off (PTO), home office reimbursement, and commuting reimbursement benefits.

Learn more about the benefits offered here.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to promptly submit their application through our online portal. All applicants will receive a response to their application within two weeks of submission. Please email mcoleman@positivelypartners.org with questions or for support submitting your application.

Candidates who advance should expect to have initial interviews with the recruitment team at Positively Partners, beginning in June, followed by a virtual interview with the search committee, panel interviews with other MHP staff including the Leadership Team, and a final one on one onsite interview. The target start date is late summer 2024.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Massachusetts Housing Partnership is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. MHP does not make hiring decisions based on age, race, gender, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

This employer uses e-verify to confirm authorization to work in the United States. If offered employment, all applicants must be able to prove authorization to work in the United States.

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