Program Officer, Safe & Stable Housing

unitedwaymassbay; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (BCBS PPO)

Dental

401k with company match

Discretionary employer base contribute

PTO – summer hours + Thanksgiving 3‑d

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

United Way of Massachusetts Bay seeks a Program Officer focused on Affordable and Supportive Housing and Housing Policy. You will collaborate with housing providers, funders, schools, and officials to advance stable housing as part of our region's economic mobility efforts.

The role requires senior program management experience, knowledge of MA housing systems, and strong partnership-building skills. A hybrid schedule with in-office Boston days is expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years in senior-level program management.
• Deep knowledge of Massachusetts housing and affordable housing systems.
• Operational capability to build systems and manage staff objectives.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and United Way mission.
• College BS/BA education level preferred.

Responsibilities

• Shape housing impact strategy by linking homelessness prevention and supportive housing.
• Build partnerships with housing providers, funders, schools, and officials.
• Serve as primary relationship manager for 10–20 nonprofit partners.
• Use data and research to shape stronger housing policies and programs.
• Develop persuasive briefs, grant applications, and policy materials.
• Lead cross-functional work and ensure alignment with goals.

Skills

Senior program management

Housing policy knowledge

Stakeholder relationships

Grant administration

Project management

Diversity & inclusion

Education

BS/BA degree

Job description

ABOUT UNITED WAY:

For over 90 years, United Way of Massachusetts Bay has brought people, partners and communities together to solve our region's toughest challenges. Our work is centered on scaling safe and stable housing, strengthening educational opportunities, building economic mobility, centering youth and young adults, and stabilizing the safety net. United Way is advancing transformational impact through investing in communities and organizations, elevating community voice, sharing expertise and knowledge, convening partnerships across sectors and advocating for changes in public policy that scale what works. We believe real, transformative change only happens when people work together. We bring together community-based organizations, businesses, government, philanthropy, and neighbors to respond to today's challenges while building long-term solutions that help everyone thrive.

We offer excellent benefits including a BCBS PPO plan, dental, 401k retirement savings with company match and a discretionary employer base contribution. Our PTO policy offers summer hours and a three-day closure for Thanksgiving. We also offer a hybrid work schedule, with a minimum of 2 fixed days in office per week. Additional in person work will be required based on the needs of the position and the organization.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Reporting to the VP, Scaling Safe & Stable Housing, the Program Officer is an Impact area staff member who serves as the content area expert on Affordable and Supportive Housing and Housing Policy, focusing on stable housing as a key supporting goal in the organization's mission to advance an economically just region, where access to financial opportunity is universal and prosperity is shared across race and ethnicity. The Program Officer is someone who can collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders – housing and homelessness service providers, grassroots organizations, funders, schools, state and local officials, business leaders, candidates who can turn research into action and residents with lived experience. The ideal candidate will be a results-oriented, systems thinker with the ability to build relationships and manage projects effectively.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Shape Our Housing Impact Strategy

• Scale Safe and Stable Housing: Help position United Way of Massachusetts Bay as a catalyst for housing stability by connecting homelessness prevention, supportive housing, housing-health partnerships, and shared data infrastructure into a stronger, more coordinated system.
• As Program Officer, you'll earn the trust of colleagues, volunteers, partners, and funders while turning diverse perspectives into coordinated action. You'll thrive here if you can bring people together, navigate complexity, and keep teams focused on measurable shared goals.

You'll be a strong fit if you're excited to:

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of 10–20 nonprofit partners. Lead annual End of Year Conversations as opportunities for honest reflection, shared learning, and stronger partnership.
• Build and share deep knowledge of housing and homelessness systems, inequities, and prevention strategies. Bring local and regional partners together to make housing resources easier to find, access, and coordinate.
• Bring housing expertise to United Way's priority initiatives and cross-functional work.
• Use data and research partnerships to shape stronger housing policies, programs, and learning agendas.
• Create persuasive issue briefs, grant applications, and other materials grounded in evidence, community insight, and provider expertise.
• Learn continuously, adapt quickly, and help others navigate change.
• Strengthen the Team's Operating Backbone by building internal systems and providing high-level project management.
• Stand in partnership with priority communities and advance the goals of the housing justice movement.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum of 6 years of senior-level program management experience, preferably with a background in education, state government funding, or large-scale grant administration.
• Deep knowledge of the Massachusetts housing landscape, particularly regarding Affordable and Supportive Housing systems, Mass Health and Behavioral Health delivery.
• Demonstrated operational capabilities, including the ability to build operational systems, manage staff objectives, and navigate organizational interdependencies.
• Strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the mission of United Way.
• College BS/BA education level preferred
• Ability to work a hybrid work schedule, currently a minimum of 2 days per week in the Boston office

United Way of Massachusetts Bay is committed to hiring individuals who reflect the diversity of our communities.