Vice President, Strategy & Innovation

Mass Development; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Benefits

Retirement Readiness

Generous Paid Leave

Flexible Work Environment

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness Support

Job summary

MassDevelopment seeks a strategic leader to guide the Center for Strategy & Innovation. The VP will translate questions into research, stakeholder input, and pilot programs, coordinating across divisions and with the CEO and executive team.

The ideal candidate is curious, creative, and comfortable with ambiguity, able to move between big-picture thinking and detailed execution, with strong facilitation, writing, and project management skills.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public policy, urban planning, economic or community development, nonprofit management, business administration, organizational development, or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate cross-agency discussions to surface ideas and align teams.
• Collaborate across departments to communicate strategy and progress.
• Research trends and translate insights into actionable opportunities.
• Design, pilot and implement programs addressing internal and external challenges.
• Support launch, evaluation, and integration of pilots into operations.
• Design trainings and build staff capabilities aligned with goals.
• Define scopes for external consultants and manage engagements.
• Support organizational change management following recommendations.

Skills

Communication

Project management

Collaboration

MS Office

Design tools

Policy/Strategy knowledge

Education

Master’s degree (public policy, urban planning, economic or community development, nonprofit management, business administration, organizational development, or related)

Bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

Canva

Job description

Who We Are:

MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, delivers financing solutions, real estate expertise, and other assistance to strengthen and grow the Massachusetts economy. We partner with businesses, nonprofits, developers, banks, and municipalities to help create jobs, build housing, and foster vibrant communities across the state. We value diverse perspectives, encourage innovation, and are committed to building a stronger Massachusetts.

The Vice President (VP) of Strategy & Innovation will report to the Senior Vice President (SVP) of Strategy & Innovation and join MassDevelopment’s Center for Strategy & Innovation, a small, relatively new team that works with the CEO and Executive Team to identify, design, and implement strategic initiatives that require collaboration across teams and divisions.

The Center’s work often begins with a problem or opportunity rather than a predefined solution. In its first year, the Center has worked with teams across the Agency on projects as diverse as designing a new program to help Main Street businesses adapt to declining foot traffic, creating a framework to help lending teams balance risk and impact, and developing the Agency’s AI policy and approach to foundational staff training. These initiatives require bringing together different perspectives, breaking down silos, and developing practical solutions to challenges that span the organization.

The VP will help move initiatives from an initial question or challenge through research, stakeholder engagement, design, and implementation. This may involve quickly getting up to speed on an unfamiliar area of MassDevelopment’s work, facilitating complex discussions, developing and testing solutions, making recommendations to executive leadership, or designing and launching new programs and initiatives. The ideal candidate is curious, creative, and comfortable with ambiguity, with the ability to build relationships across teams, solve complex problems, and move between big-picture thinking and the details needed to get things done. Strong facilitation, writing, communication, and project management skills are essential.

Work Location: The selected candidate may work from any of the agency’s regional offices. The specific office location will be determined based on the candidate’s location, position requirements, and agency needs.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and facilitate cross-agency discussions that surface new ideas, emerging needs, and challenges requiring solutions, while helping teams build alignment and take action.
• Collaborate across departments to support alignment, clarity, and coordinated execution of strategic initiatives; develop and deliver clear, compelling presentations and written materials to communicate strategy, progress, and outcomes.
• Research emerging approaches, trends, and “horizon” strategies across economic development, finance, real estate, community development, and organizational innovation, and translate insights into actionable opportunities.
• Partner with the SVP and cross-functional teams to design, launch, and implement pilot programs, strategies, and programmatic improvements that address persistent challenges for internal and external Agency stakeholders.
• Support the launch, early-stage management, evaluation, and integration of pilots into ongoing Agency operations.
• Design and coordinate trainings on priority topics identified by leadership, identify opportunities to strengthen staff skills in alignment with strategic goals and core values, and support peer-to-peer learning, information exchange, and network building across the Agency.
• Support the selection and management of external consultants by helping define scopes of work, establish and coordinate cross-functional working groups, facilitate stakeholder input, and guide consulting engagements.
• Support organizational change management and the integration of recommendations following consultant engagements.

What We’re Looking For

• Master’s degree in public policy, urban planning, economic or community development, nonprofit management, business administration, organizational development, or a related field; bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of experience in community organizing, organizational development, management consulting, or a related field, preferably with significant experience in economic development, community development, finance, public policy, or related areas.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling narratives for diverse audiences, develop nuanced messaging, facilitate productive and creative group discussions, and translate complex information into clear, engaging visual and verbal communications.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives, priorities, and deadlines effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and support colleagues across teams.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Working knowledge of visual content production tools such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Canva.
• Commitment to the Agency’s core values: Collaborate for Impact, Act with Integrity, Champion Inclusion, and Drive Innovation and Excellence.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive Benefits:Medical, dental, and vision insurance to support you and your family
• Retirement Readiness:Robust 401(a) and 457(b) plans with agency match
• Generous Paid Leave:Vacation, sick time, personal days, and holidays
• Flexible Work Environment:Hybrid work options to support balance and integration
• Investment in You:Tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, and opportunities for continued learning
• Wellness Support:Resources and programs to help you thrive personally and professionally

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.