General Counsel

Reporting to the President & CEO, this position exercises management responsibility over all legal affairs of The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (“Komen”), providing legal counsel to the senior management team and the Board of Directors as requested.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provides the legal infrastructure for the organization to include: policy and procedure, legal operating guidelines, legal compliance review, and supporting manuals.
• Investigates and evaluates the legal implications and impact of legal compliance issues and recommends operational changes or alternative policies and procedures.
• Receives and investigates inquiries from other executives and Affiliates on matters domestic and international including, but not limited to taxes, employment, contracts, insurance, risk management, licensing, and organization policy.
• Provides protection for all Komen assets and intellectual property; manages the terms and conditions for usage of Komen trademarks, oversees their registration with applicable state, national and international legal bodies, and maintains their protection.
• Manages the terms and conditions for usage of Komen trademark(s) and oversees the registration thereof with the applicable state, national, and international legal bodies and protection of same.
• Drafts and negotiates complex agreements between the organization and third parties, including but not limited to, corporate sponsor agreements and cause-related marketing program agreements, as needed to support the larger legal team and the organization.
• Manages all litigation filed against Komen and Affiliates, including coordination with and oversight of outside counsel and applicable insurance carriers.
• Serves as an expert resource to the Board and its committees on the organization’s legal structure and governance.
• Monitors and oversees compliance with all laws and regulations affecting Komen’s 501(c)(3) and non-profit status.
• Protects the interest of Komen and its Affiliates by managing risk, liability, and financial exposure. Manages relationships with insurers; develops, monitors and evaluates policies; and optimizes risk management.
• Provides training for the staff and affiliates on legal aspects of issues encountered in the conduct of their business.
• Selects and directs the activities of outside counsel retained to represent the organization.
• Manages a team. Directs work and provides coaching and mentoring for professional development.
• Maintains responsibility for pertinent budgetary and strategic planning matters within the assigned management areas.
• Supervise all corporate governance matters, including but not limited to managing the Board of Directors and its related committees.
• Attending and take minutes of directors’ and members’ meetings
• Implementing the decisions of the board of directors
• Acting as adviser to the company directors
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Management Responsibility

The General Counsel and Corporate Secretary may manage the following:

Basic Function - Immediate Subordinates:

Associate General Counsel · Provides legal expertise for Komen on a broad
range of legal issues.

Paralegal · Provides legal support for Komen on a broad
range of legal issues, including charitable
registrations, trademarks, and bequests.

Internal Auditors · Oversees risk management and compliance of the
compliance of the local affiliates to maximize
operations and financial reliability.

Position Qualifications

Minimum Experience Required
Law degree, a minimum of 10 years of experience in the practice of law, at least 5 years in support of a nonprofit organization(s), a minimum of 3 years at the level of General Counsel, Associate General Counsel or Partner in private nonprofit/NGO practice. Experience should be broad in nature and address transactions, contracts, regulatory, tax, litigation, and commercial practice areas. Excellent interpersonal skills, including oral and written presentations.

Preferred Experience
Prefer license to practice law in the state of Texas, or the District of Columbia, for three or more years of the above referenced experience. Prefer a strong background and interest in contracts. Prior experience with a not-for-profit organization considered a plus.

Specialized Knowledge Requirements
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.