General Counsel

We are looking for a General Counsel to join our highly collaborative and entreprenuerial team! 

The General Counsel will guide and execute the Foundation’s legal affairs, ensuring legal compliance and limiting risk exposure in a variety of internal and external matters. This role will advise, process, negotiate, and defend in all legal and risk compliance matters. In particular, s/he will advise and partner with the President, the Board and key leadership (Communications, Finance, HR, Operations, and Safety) around legal rights, obligations, and privileges.

The ideal candidate exhibits a passion and track record for protecting and shaping the evolution of scaling organizations. This is an excellent opportunity to put your broad and deep legal acumen to work for a mission driven organization.  

Responsibilities |

Provide expert and strategic legal advice to Foundation Leadership across a spectrum of topics
Respond to all legal inquiries and claims directed at the Foundation
Represent the Foundation, or oversee outside counsel, in litigation or other legal proceedings including land use matters involving the P & Z commission and community activists
Work with internal human resource personnel to identify potential labor issues and devise strategies to ensure a safe and compliant working environment while minimizing risks to the Foundation
Review and approve all legal documents including but not limited to vendor contracts. Will be required to strategize, negotiate, and execute contracts with external partners involving non-disclosure agreements and intellectual property issues  
Partner with key leadership to troubleshoot concerns as they arise and proactively shape policy and best practices
Keep abreast of Federal or State legislative changes that may affect the Foundation’s operations and update operational policy as required
Continually communicate status and outcomes to the President and the Board
Qualifications |

7-10 years of in-house counsel experience or in advising corporate clients. Not-for-Profit counsel, employment counsel, and/or pro-bono experience a plus.  
J.D. degree and member in good standing of a US state bar. Candidates that are not members of the Connecticut State Bar will apply for and receive in-house status within one year of the start of their tenure at the Foundation.
In-depth understanding of how legal issues affect organizations including: vendor contracts, labor law, litigation, corporate policy development, and compliance
Proven ability to develop legal strategy/objectives and work collaboratively to implement them
High degree of professional ethics, integrity and gravitas
Excellent judgment, interpersonal, communications, and analytical skills
Track record of building trust and respect with key internal and external stakeholders including external legal counsel
Ability to anticipate legal issues or risks and to “see around the corner”
 

About Grace Farms |

Grace Farms is a center for nature, arts, justice, community, and faith, where individuals and not-for-profit organizations come together to collaborate for good. Grace Farms encompasses 80 acres of open space, with an architecturally significant building recently nominated as “2016 Building of the Year” (Architect’s Newspaper).

Grace Farms is accessible and free to the public six days a week, with meaningful program offerings, recreational spaces for all ages, publicly available art, walking trails, tea pavilion, gathering spaces with food and beverage, a library, and a state-of-the art indoor amphitheater.

Our team members join from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and are united by a passion for our mission to advance good in the world. Each person contributes in an entrepreneurial setting to support our five initiatives and create an environment of grace and peace for the local, national, and global community.

Grace Farms Foundation, Inc. established in 2009, is a private operating foundation with 501c3 status in New Canaan, Connecticut. We fully opened to the public in October 2015. The Foundation is apolitical and an equal opportunity employer.

Seniority Level
Director

Industry
Museums and Institutions
Employment Type
Full-time

Job Functions
Legal