General Counsel

The Laura and John Arnold Foundation (LJAF) believes everyone should have an equal opportunity to live productive, meaningful, healthy and stable lives, and full protection and expression of their human rights free from discrimination and undue hardship. To achieve our objective of maximizing opportunity and minimizing injustice, we invest in areas where system failures have led to poor outcomes, the policy process has been compromised, new evidence-based solutions are needed, and the time is right for change. The quickest path to progress is often through policy change, which is why we support initiatives, projects, and organizations focused on turning evidence into action.

Position:         General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Salary:           Competitive salary and benefits package based on qualifications Location:       Houston, TX

Reporting to the President and CEO, the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary is responsible for leading strategic legal initiatives and providing legal counsel in support of all initiatives undertaken by the Foundation. The General Counsel will work collaboratively with the Board of Directors, President and CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and other Foundation employees as needed in setting the strategic direction of the Foundation. The General Counsel and Corporate Secretary will also be responsible for maintaining the official records of the Foundation and coordinating meetings and communications with the Board.

Core Responsibilities:
·         Providing strategic legal advice and counsel

·         Advising the Board, President and CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and other Foundation employees on a broad range of corporate, employee, employee benefits, intellectual property, tax, regulatory, and compliance matters

·         Overseeing and coordinating litigation

·         Providing advice and counsel to the Board on corporate governance matters

·         Providing sound legal advice on issues affecting existing and future business where risks and mitigation strategies are clearly identified

·         Structuring and leading the Foundation’s legal team

·         Ensuring compliance with corporate and regulatory requirements

·         Leading the development of and overseeing compliance with corporate policies, procedures, and programs

·         Overseeing the selection, retention, management, and evaluation of outside counsel

·         Partnering with the Foundation’s human resources team on employee matters as needed

·         Maintaining the official records of the Foundation

·         Coordinating meetings and communications with the Board

·         Negotiating and drafting legal documents

·         Ensuring the Board has the resources and information required to fulfill fiduciary duties and comply with the Foundation’s governing documents

·         Maintaining and acting as custodian of all corporate and legal records and documents

Participating as a member of the Executive Leadership Team
Other related duties as directed by the Board and/or President and CEO.
 

Essential Skills, Experience, & Qualities:
J.D. with 20+ years of legal experience in a major non-profit organization, large law firm, or large corporate in-house legal practice required
Demonstrated knowledge of tax-exempt organizations preferred but not required
Strategic, creative, and solutions-oriented
Proven track record of moving projects across the finish line timely and efficiently
Proven success in providing legal guidance in complex organizations and a deeply held commitment to collaborative decision-making.
Significant experience building and leading a highly-effective legal team
Ability to manage and motivate employees through effective leadership, mentoring, communications, development, facilitation, and evaluation
High level of ethics and commitment to the Foundation’s mission, vision, strategy, and values
Absolute trust, integrity, and discretion
Exceptional oral and written communication skills
Highly self-motivated, positive, resourceful, tenacious, and adaptable
 

To Apply:
If you are interested in this position, please send a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references by clicking Apply to this Job below. Please indicate in the subject line of the email that the application is for the position of General Counsel. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.