About UsGood Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year - and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success. At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crain's New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference! BenefitsFor Full Time Employees Benefits/Perks:
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Generous paid time off (Including 5 Self-Care Days/Floating Holidays, 12 Sick Days, 15 Vacation Days, and 11 Holidays)
- Healthcare Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Pet Care)
- 403(b) Plan (GSS contributes 3% of your salary to your 403(b) plan after 3 years of service, with contributions increasing over time)
- Candidates hired in this position will work in the office but will have the flexibility to a work a hybrid schedule at managers discretion
OverviewThe Director, Legal Affairs (DLA) is responsible for providing valid legal and business solutions to arising problems. The DLA will assess and respond to agency risks while also keeping the company's business model and goals in mind. The DLA is a multi-dimensional role that not only manages legal tact, but also implements efficient processes and suggests innovative business solutions.The DLA will work with the CLO to oversee the agency's litigation in collaboration with outside counsel, as needed, and keep key agency stakeholders abreast of legal matters that impact the agency and the sector. The DLA will work to ensure that the agency adheres to the highest standards of ethical conduct and conformity with government statutes and regulations.Reports to: Chief Legal Officer (CLO)Location: 305 7th Avenue, NY, New York 10001Hours: 35 Hours/Week, ExemptSalary: $135,000 - $150,000Key Responsibilities:Strategic Decision-Making
- Reviews, drafts and implements policies and procedures to mitigate risk and strengthen agency practices
- Collaborates with CLO and Executive Team to support agency strategic planning and implementation and acts as strategic plan liaison for legal input
- Under the direction of the CLO, represents agency before government agencies regarding policy considerations and contract disputes and concerns
- Monitors for opportunities and risks related to changes in the external environment
- Demonstrates sound judgement that includes a risk management, with an equity and inclusion lens
Governance
- Monitors any changes in Federal, State or City statutory or regulatory environment and ensure GSS' corporate documents and procedures are in compliance
- Ensures that GSS operates in a manner that maintains its 501(c)(3) status
- Prepares research memoranda and materials as needed
Business Management
- Drafts, reviews and approves government, foundation and vendor agreements, leases and memoranda of understanding and provides advice regarding implementation
- Drafts agency waivers, releases, consent forms and other legal documents
- Advises on legal aspects of business relationships
- Provides counsel to the Compliance and Risk Management Department for risk mitigation efforts
- Advises Human Resources Department on employment matters, including but not limited to, investigations and disciplinary actions
- Under the direction of the CLO, responds to whistleblower complaints and initiates follow up investigations
- Manages, mitigates and reports on conflict of interest concerns
- Collaborates with the agency Risk Management team and external insurance brokers regarding mitigation of risk throughout the agency
- Assists CLO and Risk Management Team with insurance policy renewal negotiations
- Coordinates the response to subpoenas and review of documents for production by the agency
- Advises on HIPAA compliance and acts as agency HIPAA compliance officer
Litigation / Relationships with Outside Counsel
- Assists CLO with management of relationships and communication with outside counsel
- Assists CLO with management of external investigations and audits
- Assists CLO with coordination of required activities, including implementation of litigation holds, review and provision of documents, information and testimony related to legal claims
- Assists CLO with monitoring retention agreements with outside counsel
Requirements
- Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school
- Admission to the State of New York Bar
- Must retain status as a member of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of employment
- Minimum of five years' of progressively responsible legal experience with preference given to prior assignments in a relevant government, non-profit, health care, or higher education setting or legal firm or advocacy organization experience with direct involvement in the issues that face GSS
- Must possess strong initiative, specific knowledge of legal issues related to non-profit human service delivery and government contracting, excellent collaboration, management and leadership skills, and strong public sector business acumen.
- Ability to frame legal issues in a manner that serves to inform organizational decision-making to enhance services to clients while at the same time mitigating risk
- Capacity to set and advance organizational priorities in ways that support the agency's goals and objectives and are consistent with the highest ethical standards
- Highly skilled at articulating agency positions to external constituencies
- Strong analytical, interpersonal and writing skills
- Strong project management experience and comfort with multitasking in a fast-paced environment
- Demonstrated ability to plan, manage and execute tasks independently
- Experience reporting to C - suite executives
- Possesses a high EQ (emotional intelligence) and level of self-awareness
- Commitment to our approach - a strength-based, trauma-informed, youth, family and community development, and anti-racism and equity approach
- Demonstrates a commitment to cultural humility - a commitment to learning about themselves, their identities and cultural experiences, as well as those of their staff, the participants and the communities they partner with
Additional InformationGood Shepherd Services is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.We are committed to providing a workplace that is accessible and accommodating to employees with disabilities. As part of our commitment to providing a barrier-free recruitment and selection process, we will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the hiring process, please inform us of your needs in advance. We value diversity and inclusivity in our workplace and encourage applicants of all abilities to apply.