United Way of Massachusetts Bay Vice President, Safe and Stable Housing

ABOUT UNITED WAY

United Way of Massachusetts Bay (UWMB) exists to build more equitable communities together. With over 85 years of local impact in eastern Massachusetts, we partner with our communities to build economic prosperity and enable everyone—across races and ethnicities—to access the knowledge, wealth, and resources available. We believe that the key to unlocking opportunity is uniting people, and we bring together individuals, community leaders, corporate partners, legislators, and organizations to build a powerful engine of change.

We target efforts in four areas: (1) quality, affordable childcare and out-of-school time care, (2) educational and career pathways for youth and young adults, (3) safe and stable housing, and (4) wealth building and financial inclusion. United Way currently invests over $45 million annually in a portfolio of over 300 community-based organizations and spearheads public policy initiatives tackling the most pressing community issues.

Our Role in Housing

United Way plays a distinctive and influential role in the housing ecosystem across Eastern Massachusetts. We serve as the backbone intermediary for the Supportive Housing Pipeline Coalition, manage large-scale statewide initiatives in partnership with state government, and invest in a portfolio of the region’s largest housing and homelessness service providers. Our work spans policy advocacy, systems-level convening, direct grantmaking, and cross-sector innovation—positioning UWMB as a convener, funder, and strategic partner at the center of the state’s housing landscape.

THE POSITION

UWMB seeks a bold, strategic, and deeply knowledgeable housing leader to serve as Vice President, Safe and Stable Housing. This is a senior leadership role for someone who brings established expertise in Massachusetts housing policy, a track record of navigating high-stakes external relationships, and the confidence to represent United Way’s housing vision across government, advocacy coalitions, and the philanthropic sector.

The VP will shape and drive UWMB’s housing strategy across a broad portfolio that includes supportive housing, reimagining shelter, scaling affordable housing for low-income families, and strengthening the connection between housing stability and education. This is an opportunity to lead at the intersection of policy, systems change, and community impact; setting the direction for what housing work at United Way looks like in the years ahead.

The ideal candidate has a clear point of view, can hold their own with strong-willed coalition partners and government leaders, and is energized by leading within a large, mission-driven institution. You will report to the Chief Impact Officer, collaborate closely with the CEO and a tight-knit peer group of VPs across impact areas, and have access to operational and analytical support across the organization. The Vice President also leads and manages a team of two full-time employees.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

External Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as United Way’s primary external voice on housing and homelessness
• Navigate complex, high-stakes relationships across state government, advocacy organizations, service providers, and funders with a clear point of view and the ability to hold firm when needed
• Build and sustain trusted partnerships with grassroots leaders, public agencies, and philanthropic partners that strengthen collective capacity and advance shared goals
• Partner closely with the Public Affairs division on housing policy advocacy, legislative strategy, and government relations

Systems Change & Coalition Leadership

• Provide backbone leadership for the Supportive Housing Pipeline Coalition, including thought leadership, working group facilitation, and alignment across coalition partners with sometimes competing priorities
• Convene and align multi-sector partners to accelerate housing solutions at the regional and state levels
• Center the leadership and lived experience of people most impacted by housing instability in strategy, design, and advocacy
• In partnership with the Sr. VP of Analytics and external evaluation partners, build a culture of continuous learning through Research-Practice Partnerships that incorporate community insights and quantitative data

Team Development & Leadership

• Supervise, coach, and develop the Safe & Stable Housing team, setting clear expectations and fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, and professional growth
• Manage team workload and foster collaboration within the housing team and across divisions, including with policy, operations, and analytics colleagues
• Invest in talent development through inclusive leadership, regular feedback, and growth opportunities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and evolve United Way’s Safe and Stable Housing strategy in partnership with the Chief Impact Officer, grounded in deep listening, data, and community partnership
• Set the strategic direction across a broad housing portfolio that includes supportive housing, shelter reimagination, affordable housing expansion, and housing-education connections (including early childhood, student mobility, and school district partnerships)
• Lead the design and execution of high-impact initiatives aligned with United Way’s New Way Forward vision, using data-informed decision-making and inclusive design processes
• Identify resource needs and work closely with Development and Grants teams to secure aligned funding; engage funders in understanding and investing in community-driven housing solutions

Program Leadership

• Provide strategic direction for UWMB’s New Way Forward grant program, which provides unrestricted, multi-year grants to direct service and public policy nonprofits working on safe, stable housing
• Guide cross-impact partnerships connecting housing to early childhood, education, and economic inclusion—including emerging work with organizations like Horizons for Homeless Children, Family Aid, and the Head Start Association
• Partner with the Institute for Community Health to sustain and scale the Community Action Hub, a Research-Practice Partnership designed and led by people who have experienced homelessness
• Help reimagine the role that UWMB’s direct service portfolio plays in the housing ecosystem, clarifying direction for both the sector and the philanthropic community

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

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:

Required:

• Progressively responsible leadership experience in the Massachusetts nonprofit, philanthropic, public, or private sectors, with deep knowledge of housing and homelessness systems, programs, and leaders in Massachusetts
• Established relationships within the Massachusetts housing ecosystem
• Demonstrated experience managing high-stakes external relationships with confidence, a clear point of view, and the ability to navigate competing priorities across coalitions and government partners
• Experience in strategy development, systems change, and driving measurable, population-level impact
• Previous management experience, including supervising direct reports and leading through complexity
• Strong commitment to equity, economic justice, and community-centered leadership
• Effective communicator with strong facilitation, writing, and public speaking skills
• A collaborative leadership style that thrives within a larger institutional structure
• Ability to work a hybrid schedule (currently a minimum of 2 days in the office) with additional in-person work for off-site meetings and events

Preferred:

• Experience spanning multiple dimensions of housing—including affordable housing, supportive housing, shelter systems, public housing, and/or housing stability—rather than deep specialization in a single area
• Experience leading or playing a senior role in a citywide, regional, or statewide initiative
• Experience in grantmaking, program design, or philanthropic partnerships
• Familiarity with the intersection of housing and education, including early childhood, student mobility, or family stability programming
• Background working within or closely with large, multi-issue nonprofit or public sector organizations

LOCATION, COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Boston, MA. The VP will be expected to regularly work from UWMB’s office and attend in-person meetings with stakeholders, coalition partners, and government officials throughout eastern Massachusetts.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $140,000–$160,000. Compensation is part of a comprehensive total rewards package, and final offers will be determined based on job-related knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience. UWMB offers excellent benefits including a BCBS PPO plan, dental, a 401k retirement savings with company match and a discretionary employer-based contribution, and a generous PTO policy.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are encouraged to promptly submit their applications through our online portal. All applicants will receive a response to their application. Please email mcarlton@positivelypartners.org with questions or for support in submitting your application.

Candidates who advance should expect:

• Initial interviews with the recruitment team at Positively Partners
• A virtual interview with the hiring manager
• Final interviews with senior leadership and key stakeholders

Positively Partners is committed to conducting an equitable, accessible assessment process. If you would like to request an accommodation during the interview process, please email search@positivelypartners.org. Accommodation requests will be handled confidentially.

United Way of Massachusetts Bay is committed to hiring individuals who reflect the diversity of our communities. UWMB is an equal opportunity employer.

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