Director | Housing Affordability Unit / Executive Bureau

Massachusetts AGO•Boston, MA

2d•$130,327•Hybrid

About The Position

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell is looking for an experienced, motivated, dynamic attorney to serve as Director of the Housing Affordability Unit within the AGO’s Executive Bureau. The Housing Affordability Unit was created in 2024 to advance the state’s fundamental interest in ensuring that all Commonwealth residents have access to safe, stable housing they can afford, in a place they want to live. To succeed as a state, we need to expand the stock of available housing, particularly multifamily, subsidized, and specialized housing; preserve the affordable housing we currently have; and ensure that people are not unlawfully excluded from living in our communities. The Housing Affordability Unit uses the authority of the Attorney General’s Office to pursue these goals. The Unit is embedded in the Executive Bureau and collaborates with various divisions of the Office—including relevant divisions of the Public Protection and Advocacy and Government Bureaus—to share expertise and resources on zoning, land use, municipal law, fair housing, consumer protection, and other housing affordability initiatives. The Unit also works closely with state and local partners, and with members of the public, to promote the production of new housing, the preservation of existing units and affordability restrictions, and the protection of the legal rights of tenants, homeowners, and those looking for a place to live. Its work includes litigation and other forms of advocacy to enforce the Commonwealth’s housing laws; public education and engagement to promote compliance with state law and supportive creative public- and private-sector solutions; and strategic planning for impact across the work of the Office.

Requirements

Practicing attorney and a member of the Massachusetts bar (or eligible for admission in short order).
A minimum of seven (7) years of full-time legal experience.
Excellent legal and non-legal research and writing skills.
Effective oral communication and advocacy skills adaptable for many audiences.
Demonstrated organizational, interpersonal, and influencing skills.
Ability to demonstrate a connection to the people and communities we serve and an interest in supporting a respectful and inclusive work environment.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated success in a leadership position.
Commitment to addressing the housing crisis in the Commonwealth through effective legal, policy, and community advocacy.
Demonstrated expertise in land use, development, zoning, or fair housing.
Litigation and/or policy experience.
Experience working with diverse stakeholders across state and municipal government and community and advocacy organizations.

Responsibilities

Overseeing the Housing Affordability Unit’s ongoing projects and devising strategies for future impact, including leading or participating in enforcement actions, intervention on behalf of the Commonwealth, or amicus briefing to express the pro-housing position of the Commonwealth.
Developing legal guidance and educational programming for a variety of audiences, from municipal officials to advocacy groups to members of the general public, to promote compliance with state laws that promote housing production, preservation, and access.
Assisting various components of the Office in their respective consideration and handling of housing and land-use-related matters.
Developing strong relationships with diverse actors across the private, public, and nonprofit housing sectors to inform and strengthen the Unit’s work.
Playing a crucial role in the development of the Unit's strategies and priorities, as the Unit is relatively new and the housing affordability problem is complex.