Description

If you are an experienced real estate attorney dedicated to expanding affordable housing opportunities in Massachusetts, MHP is for you! We are seeking a Deputy General Counsel to join our Legal team who is a creative thinker, a sound and practical legal advisor, and a ready champion of advancing MHP’s mission within the Commonwealth. 

About Us:  

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. We pioneer new development and financing models that use public resources more effectively, are responsive to local needs, promote racial equity, and achieve greater impact than conventional approaches to affordable housing. MHP focuses on the following programmatic areas: Community Assistance, Multifamily Rental Financing and Portfolio Management, Homeownership and Data & Policy. 

MHP is committed to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in our workplace. We seek to hire a Deputy General Counsel who shares our commitment to DEIB and is invested in contributing to and upholding these essential values.

Current Opportunity: 

We are looking for a highly skilled Deputy General Counsel to support our mission of increasing the production of equitable, affordable housing across the Commonwealth. Reporting to the General Counsel, you will provide essential legal counsel to our internal teams, the management team, and staff. You will be the primary lead on legal and transactional real estate matters related to MHP’s affordable housing finance teams which include the Homeownership, Multifamily Rental Finance, and Portfolio Management teams.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice and opinions to MHP staff and external partners as needed.
• Act as the main contact from the Legal team for the Multifamily Rental Finance and Portfolio Management teams; act as a contact from the Legal team for the Community Assistance, Center for Housing Data, Finance and Administration, and Policy and Communications teams. 
• Actively manage and supervise the members of the Legal team, with the capacity to directly provide guidance and issue-based trainings, as necessary.
• Lead project management for Legal team goals and internal initiatives.
• Serve as the point of contact for multifamily housing finance legal questions from external partners and outside counsel. 
• Prepare templates and agreements for internal teams, as necessary and/or as requested by the General Counsel.
• Assist in managing legal risk related to employment and personnel matters, and conduct employment investigations as necessary under the supervision of the General Counsel. 
• In coordination with the Compliance team, monitor and analyze relevant regulations, guidelines, and legislation impacting MHP’s programs, and efficiently present findings and proposed solutions, as necessary, to the General Counsel.
• Review, negotiate and draft complex contracts and service agreements with vendors, government agencies, and independent contractors. 
• Represent MHP on interagency matters as directed by the General Counsel. 
• Monitor and review MHP’s Board meeting minutes and Board packages; assist with corporate and board governance activities, such as drafting resolutions and preparing board reports. 
• Draft and update regulations and guidelines as requested and/or required by MHP’s programmatic teams. 

Compensation: 

The compensation range for this role is $145,000 to $165,000. Any final offer will be based on various factors including job-related knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience. The listed range is just one component of MHP's total compensation package for employees. 

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 match up to 10% and immediate vesting 
• Annual 5-week paid time off (PTO) benefit 
• Dental insurance through MetLife with 90% of premium covered by MHP 
• Vision insurance through VSP with 50% of premium covered by MHP
• Fully paid group term life, short-term and long-term disability insurance 
• Medical and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts 
• Public transportation reimbursement 
• Tuition reimbursement up to $10,000
• Professional development assistance 
• First time homebuyer assistance up to $20,000
• Generous home office benefit
• Membership discount for onsite gym

Hybrid Schedule Policy:

The Deputy General Counsel 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. At least one office day must be on the designated Legal team day. The person in this role will utilize an MHP laptop which must be transported to and from the MHP office. MHP’s office is conveniently located minutes from South Station.

Travel:

Travel is not expected for this role. 

MHP is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity, affirmative action 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, Experience and Skills:

• J.D. from an accredited law school. 
• Admission to the Massachusetts bar. 
• 6-8 years’ commercial real estate, affordable housing finance, in-house counsel, or similar legal experience required. 
• Expertise in commercial real estate, affordable housing, lending, and government is preferred with experience in at least one required. 
• Strong leadership, organizational, and relationship management skills. 
• Demonstrated experience identifying, navigating, and resolving problems independently and with initiative, including but not limited to legal issues and concerns that do not have straightforward solutions. 
• Supervisory experience in a team- and client-oriented environment providing real estate and/or lending/banking advice with a commitment to the professional development and growth of team members.
• Proven ability to research, interpret, and synthesize legal, regulatory, and financial documents and identify relevant legal concerns articulately. 
• Strong ethical standards and the proven capacity to use sound judgement and discretion when gathering and sharing information. 
• Meticulous attention to detail, highly organized, ability to monitor own work, and regularly solicits feedback to improve performance. 
• Adept in managing competing demands and dealing with frequent changes, delays, and/or unexpected circumstances. Demonstrated experience working with people at all levels of an organization on a variety of topics under tight deadlines.
• Experience in employment law preferred. 
• Exceptional ability to communicate (verbally and in writing) findings and recommendations. 
• Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.