General Counsel

About The Community Builders (TCB)

The Community Builders, Inc. (TCB) is a nationally recognized nonprofit developer, owner, and manager of affordable and mixed-income housing and commercial properties. Founded in 1964, TCB has developed over 33,800 housing units as well as community and retail spaces mostly in mixed-use buildings and currently owns or manages over 13,000 units of housing. TCB is currently active in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and the District of Columbia. TCB’s mission is to build and sustain strong communities where all people can thrive.

TCB’s Legal Department, which is situated in our Boston office, manages all aspects of TCB’s legal needs, including corporate and transactional legal work and advising TCB’s various departments, such as real estate development, property management, asset management, community life, fund development, human resources and information technology. By way of example, the Legal Department acts as transactional counsel with respect to complex development, financing and preservation transactions and, on some projects, engages and oversees outside counsel; forms and maintains more than 600 affiliated entities; manages litigation and assists with employment matters; advises on policy matters; and helps implement new programs and initiatives for our property management, community investment and community life teams. The Legal Department currently consists of 5 attorneys, two experienced paralegals and, from time to time, student interns or clerks.

The General Counsel will report directly to the CEO, will lead the Legal Department and will be a member of TCB’s executive leadership team. Specific responsibilities of the General Counsel are expected to include the following:

Essential Functions:

Corporate Representation. The General Counsel advises the President/CEO and Board of Directors on all legal matters and provides strategic counsel on business and operational decisions. The General Counsel’s office provides legal representation to TCB and its affiliates on diverse matters, such as TCB’s corporate structure, its capital and lending relationships, its 501(c)(3) status, and the formation and maintenance of approximately 600 subsidiaries and affiliates (including business and nonprofit corporations, partnerships and LLCs) in various states. The General Counsel manages and coordinates the work of external law firms as needed. The General Counsel’s office also provide advice on employment discrimination, fair housing and other occupancy related matters, and general contracts. The office is also responsible for tracking and managing third-party claims, which primarily consists of engaging and supervising outside counsel in connection with litigation, defaults, compliance matters, employment matters, and other legal matters.

Transactional Practice. The General Counsel’s office represents TCB and its affiliates in the acquisition, development, construction, financing, operation, compliance and disposition of affordable and mixed-income residential and commercial properties. TCB lawyers staff some projects directly (particularly in Massachusetts) and in other projects supervise outside counsel, who may have a range of roles ranging from advice on a specific issue to primary responsibility for the closing process. The office’s practice includes all aspects of real estate and housing development, including tax and financial structuring, title and real estate conveyancing, zoning analysis and relief, review of environmental matters, organization of ownership entities including nonprofit and for-profit corporations, LLCs and limited partnerships, and negotiating and closing complex financings involving multiple private and public funding sources.

Funding Program Counsel. The General Counsel’s office provides counsel in connection with various grant and funding programs in which TCB and its affiliates participate, currently including the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, the Capital Magnet Fund, Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants, the New Markets Tax Credit Program, and various foundation and other grants and program-related investments. The General Counsel may be asked to provide and/or oversee legal services related to these programs, including due diligence, documentation and closing of transactions on behalf of the funder, development and maintenance of internal controls, and counsel with respect to program requirements.

Compliance and Management. The General Counsel’s office provides counsel on all aspects of regulatory and legal compliance related to the operation and management of affordable and mixed-income housing communities and commercial spaces, as well as the provision of services to residents. The General Counsel advises on the development and implementation of corporate and compliance policies, forms, systems and tools to ensure the effective management of legal and other operating risks. The General Counsel also assists other departments in creating and presenting training on relevant legal topics.

Legislative and Policy Matters. From time to time, the General Counsel assists in legislative and policy matters and connects with general counsels at peer organizations and in industry groups to advocate for best practices in the industry.

Department Administration. The General Counsel is responsible for administration of the Legal Department, including supervision and training of all staff, development and implementation of procedures and form documents, and managing the department’s budget, billing, collections and vendors.

Experience:

10-15 years’ relevant professional experience including time as a practicing corporate and/or transactional attorney, with demonstrated ability to manage complex engagements in a team environment;

Substantial experience with most or all of the following: affordable housing and community development finance, LIHTC, NMTC and other tax credits, real estate, zoning and permitting, construction contracts, nonprofit organizations, fair housing, and general corporate and employment law;

Admission to state bar (Massachusetts or ability to be admitted in Massachusetts);

Experience working in a complex organization and creating and implementing policies and procedures for organizational excellence and development; and

Demonstrated commitment to affordable housing and community development or related mission-oriented work.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Ability to effectively address complex problems that cut across legal and business areas;

Excellent oral and written communication skills;

Effective legal and business judgment in challenging and fluid situations;

Demonstrated ability to be effective in a complex organization;

Collaborative and respectful leadership style;

Passion for affordable housing and community development; and

Innovative, curious and creative thinker and problem solver.

The Community Builders, Inc. is committed to ensuring diversity in its workplace, and candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.