Corporate Counsel

Description

Title: Corporate Counsel

Organization: MassHousing

Location: One Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108

Website:

The Organization:

MassHousing will confront the Commonwealth's housing challenges to improve the lives of its people. A bold mission for an innovative agency. Since its inception in 1966, MassHousing has provided more than $30 billion for 92,000+ rental units and 90,000+ home mortgage loans. Beyond lending, we also work to promote economic growth and empowerment for families, individuals, and businesses; help communities increase their housing stock; provide hope and homes for vulnerable populations, and look for new, cost-effective ways to provide equitable housing opportunities. We have a relentless determination to confront the Commonwealth's housing challenges and improve lives.

We know that we cannot meet our mission without a workforce that is committed to standing with us in our efforts. We achieve this by making investments in staff development and prioritizing individuals who align with our values including an unwavering dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

As an employee of MassHousing you are offered a great career opportunity which is more than a paycheck. MassHousing’ s total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits which you should consider towards your overall compensation, including but not limited to:

• Tuition reimbursement up to $15,000 per calendar year
• A 35-hour work week and a hybrid work schedule
• Back up Child/Elder Care
• Retirement Savings including a pension and a deferred compensation plan (with a match)
• Comprehensive health, dental and vision plans
• 12 paid Holidays per year and generous sick, vacation, and personal time
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Central Boston office location, convenient to public transportation and amenities on site

Essential Functions

Procurement and Contracting

• Provide legal review and guidance on Agency procurement activities and related solicitations
• Conduct legal research and provide analysis and recommendations on complex legal and procurement matters
• Ensure compliance with applicable procurement laws, regulations, and internal policies
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex Agency contracts, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), interagency agreements, and other legal documents
• Advise on procurement processes, including Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), Requests for information (RFIs) request for bids, and sole source justifications

Public Records and Transparency

• Oversee MassHousing’s compliance with applicable public records laws and requirements
• Provide legal guidance to staff on public records request processing, required disclosures, exemptions, and document production
• Supervise staff responsible for public records intake, response preparation, document review, and production
• Manage Public Records Act compliance, including oversight of the intake, review, redaction, and timely release of requested documents
• Develop and deliver internal training on public records, transparency, ethics, and records retention requirements

Ethics, Governance, and Regulatory Compliance

• Serve as the primary authority on state ethics laws, conflict of interest requirements, and pre- and post-employment restrictions applicable to Agency employees
• Advise Agency leadership and employees on state ethics requirements, conflict-of-interest matters, required disclosures, and related compliance obligations
• Oversee corporate ethics reporting and coordinate responses with relevant Agency officials
• Provide legal support for MCCB-related governance, reporting, and compliance requirements
• Advise on corporate governance matters, including policy development, Board-related activities, and governance requirements
• Interpret and advise on administrative rules, state statutes, federal regulations, and other legal requirements impacting Agency operations and governance

Corporate Counsel Matters

• Provide legal counsel and strategic guidance on matters affecting Agency Operations, organizational risk, and potential legal exposure
• Draft legal memoranda, opinion letters, and other legal documents related to Agency operations
• Provide training and guidance to Agency staff on legal and regulatory requirements
• Oversee outside counsel in resolving legal disputes, including negotiations, administrative proceedings, and litigation
• Stay current on changes in laws, regulations, and legal developments relevant to Agency operations

Employment and Human Resources Legal Support

• Provide legal guidance on employment law, Human Resources practices, employee relations matters, and workplace policies
• Partner with Human Resources to advise on disciplinary actions, grievances, investigations, terminations, accommodations, and other employment matters
• Advise on compliance with applicable employment laws, including Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
• Support workplace investigations and collaborate with Human Resources on risk assessment and mitigation strategies
• Advise on applicable labor and employment statutes, regulations, and legal requirements
• Collaborate with outside counsel on representing the Agency and coordinating defense strategies in administrative hearings, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charges, and employment-related disputes

People Management

• Recruit, develop, and retain staff to ensure productivity and engagement
• Engage in performance management activities such as goal setting, performance evaluations, development planning, and continuous feedback to develop staff and achieve Agency goals
• Provide coaching, counseling, and corrective action (when necessary) to staff
• Foster a culture that reflects MassHousing’s mission and values
• Security
• Comply with MassHousing’s Information Security Program and all other Agency information security policies and procedures
• Take responsibility for any Agency assets assigned to you
• Promptly report any security events, incidents, or weaknesses to MassHousing’s Information Security Team

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
• 7+ years of progressively responsible legal experience, including experience in procurement law, public sector law, corporate counsel, employment law, or related areas
• Member in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar, or ability to obtain admission promptly
• Expertise in public records laws, state ethics requirements, and regulatory compliance
• Working knowledge of employment law, contract law, procurement law, and administrative law
• Eligibility to work in, and travel freely to and from, the United States without sponsorship

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressively responsible legal experience in a public agency, quasi-public agency, or public-sector environment
• Knowledge of public procurement methodologies, vendor management, or government contracting
• Experience advising Human Resources teams and senior leadership on complex employment and organizational matters
• Familiarity with public records, state ethics, corporate governance, or other legal matters relevant to quasi-public agencies

Essential Characteristics

• Demonstrated ability to provide practical, solutions-focused legal guidance, and sound judgement to diverse stakeholders
• Energetic team player who has exceptional interpersonal skills, initiative, and a dedicated focus on high-level customer service
• Strong work ethic, fast learner, and a desire to learn and grow within public sector legal practice
• Exceptional oral and written communication with comfortability in communicating at all levels of the Agency
• Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail
• Comfortable multitasking, adjusts quickly to shifting priorities, and manages time efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Strategic thinker with the dual capacity to see the big picture and attend to details

Salary Range: $142,619.07 - $185,405.00

ADA Compliance

MassHousing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, MassHousing will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods of time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.