Manager of Housing & Neighborhood Development

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) seeks exceptional candidates for Manager of Housing & Neighborhood Development, who will lead the agency’s Housing Division within the Land Use Department. The Manager will report to the Director of Land Use. This is a management position supervising six Housing and Land Use Planners ranging from Planner II to Principal Planner. The Manager, working closely with the Director of Land Use, will oversee and grow the agency’s housing planning work. Responsibilities will include overseeing technical assistance to municipalities and other stakeholders on a wide range of housing issues; selecting, scoping, and assigning housing planning projects; providing housing expertise across agency departments and external allies; incorporating housing into multi-faceted plans and policy initiatives; and identifying opportunities to cultivate new approaches, policies, programs, and projects to expand and diversify the region’s housing, and especially affordable housing, consistent with MAPC’s strategic priorities to advance sustainable development and equity.  

The Manager will also play a significant role in the implementation of the regional policy and land use plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. This will include helping to lead the agency to advocate for local, state, and federal policies to build and preserve affordable housing, to advance Fair Housing and other housing stability efforts, and to address the racial wealth divide through homeownership. The Manager will oversee a project portfolio including smart growth zoning, inclusionary zoning, regional and local housing plans and studies, housing policy research, market analyses, development scenarios, and more. 

This position requires expertise in planning, policy, and housing, as well as prior experience supervising and managing both staff and projects. 
 

About MAPC: 

MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our strategic priorities are sustainable development, equity, regional collaboration, and climate mitigation and resilience. We are guided by our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. MAPC’s staff includes approximately 120 full-time employees located in downtown Boston in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office. 
 

MAPC has a hybrid schedule, combining time in the office with remote work. Employees must reside within a commutable distance from MAPC’s Boston office. 
 

MAPC strongly supports the professional development of each staff person, believing their growth to be consistent with the best interests of MAPC and the region. We encourage all our staff to develop new ideas to make MAPC’s planning and policy work more relevant and impactful, and to adapt to changing times. 

This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone who lives and works in Greater Boston. For more information about MAPC or MetroCommon2050, please visit www.mapc.org. 
 

About the Land Use Department: 
The Land Use Department comprises three divisions: Housing, Economic Development, and General Land Use Planning. Together, the Department advances sustainable and equitable development, economic opportunity, and healthy, complete neighborhoods. This work occurs through local technical assistance projects, regional projects that highlight trends and best practices, local capacity building, and policy advocacy to reform state and local laws, regulations, and programs. The Department includes nearly twenty professional planners who are committed to advancing racial equity and sustainability land use through planning, policy development, and community engagement. The Housing Manager position is an opportunity to shape the strategic direction for housing and land use policies across Greater Boston and statewide. 

Responsibilities (including but not limited to)

• Oversee and expand MAPC’s housing planning practice, in partnership with the Land Use Director, with a focus on the implementation of the region’s regional plan, MetroCommon2050, and expansion of housing affordability and diversity to foster inclusive and stable communities; 
• Manage and daily supervise a staff of six Housing and Land Use Planners, including mentoring staff and supporting their professional development goals; fostering curiosity and enthusiasm for sustainable and equitable housing practices; maintaining and expanding team culture and commitment to housing affordability, stability, and inclusivity; assigning and guiding project work; reviewing work products; and monitoring project budgets; 
• Monitor regional housing trends and challenges, in partnership with the Data Services Department and allied organizations, and develop regional planning and policy projects that will address regional and local housing challenges; remain informed about current planning issues, resources, and programs; and advise various levels of government on policies and best practices; 
• Assist municipalities to develop and implement plans and strategies to create more and better housing or mixed-use development, with a particular emphasis on affordable housing, including Housing Production Plans, comprehensive plans, neighborhood and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) plans, Fair Housing strategies, zoning, permitting procedures, design guidelines, and other efforts; 
• Develop project ideas with municipal partners, MAPC colleagues, and other stakeholders, including community-based organizations, regional and state housing partners, foundations, etc.; 
• Develop and review contracts, project scopes and budgets in coordination with other MAPC staff;  
• Support municipalities with state and federal funding applications; 
• Collaborate with the Land Use Director and other Managers in the Land Use Department to refine and guide the strategic direction of the Department, develop the annual work plan and budget, and foster a shared understanding of the vision for the Department; 
• Collaborate with the Government Affairs Department to research and implement equitable, sustainable housing policies and advocate for the implementation and funding of these policies through the legislative and regulatory process, often in collaboration with stakeholders in other agencies and organizations; 
• Collaborate with Data Services, Community Engagement, and other departments undertaking housing-related work to share best practices and provide input as needed; 
• Coordinate with MAPC staff and allied organizations to implement key housing laws passed in the past few years, including the MBTA Communities Housing Mandate and the Affordable Homes Act, including provisions legalizing Accessory Dwelling Units by right  statewide; 
• Build and maintain relationships with key housing stakeholders in the region, including but not limited to federal and state agencies, non-profit organizations, housing policy advocates, tenant organizations, and developers;
• Organize workshops and educational events for the public, make public presentations, and facilitate public discussions; discuss issues with the media. 

 
Evening events, occasional weekend events, and local travel are responsibilities for this position. MAPC does not require that you have a vehicle; however, you must have a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC provides support for travel, including MBTA passes, a Zipcar account and Bluebikes membership. 

Qualifications

Candidates for this position should have a Master’s degree in planning, public policy, or similar degree/concentration, with experience in housing, land use, regional planning, or related field; plus at least 4 years of relevant professional experience in the field of housing planning and policymaking, including evidence of increasing responsibilities, project management, and staff supervision, OR a Bachelor’s Degree plus 6 years of such experience. 

Successful candidates for this position will demonstrate all or most of the following: 

• Experience with team leadership, including supervising and mentoring staff, and work planning; 
• Knowledge of key housing tools of federal, state, and local government, such as Fair Housing laws, MGL Chapter 40A & B, Community Preservation Act, Affordable Homes Act, Municipal Affordable Housing Trusts, Housing Production Plans, Inclusionary Zoning; and/or similar programs from other states; 
• Proficiency in developing or implementing plans, programs, zoning, and policies to support local and regional housing efforts, including production, preservation, and tenant protections (experience in Massachusetts is a plus);  
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with staff, colleagues, community groups, and government officials, especially local elected and appointed officials; ability to build and maintain relationships with relevant state and quasi-public housing agencies, Community Development Corporations, and other organizations in the housing field; 
• Strong communication skills, including verbal and written, and ability to articulate planning and policy issues to a wide variety of audiences; visual communication skills are a plus, such as Adobe Creative Suite and PowerPoint;  
• Ability to facilitate, build coalitions, achieve consensus, and resolve disputes in complex public policy situations; 
• Strong organizational skills and experience with time and budget management; 
• Ability and demonstrated interest in advocating for greater equity, and especially racial equity, throughout Metro Boston, especially across housing and other land use issues; 
• AICP certification is preferred, but not required. 

Compensation and Benefits 
The salary ranges from $100,000 to $110,000, depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time exempt position. MAPC offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits as well as a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment and a commitment to continued professional development. 

How to Apply 
Apply online at www.mapc.org/jobs. The position is open until filled, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Candidates selected to interview will be asked to submit three (3) references plus a sample of relevant writing or work product. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the USA and a valid driver's license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC participates in E-Verify, which is a federal program that helps us to determine work eligibility in the United States. A Criminal Offenders Records Information (CORI) request must be completed if offered this position. A criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at MAPC, but it will be reviewed in light of the position and other elements of an applicant’s resume. 

We believe that a staff with a range of perspectives, experiences, and skillsets strengthens our work. We are committed to building a more equitable workplace that allows staff with diverse backgrounds and identities to thrive, grow, and lead. For more information on MAPC’s culture of equity, see our Equity at MAPC page.