Chief Legal & Compliance Officer

Job Summary:

Reporting directly to the CEO, and, as/needed, directly to the Board, the Chief Legal & Compliance Officer (“CLCO”) will provide the board of directors, senior management, program directors, and other staff with practical legal advice and support. The CLCO may be asked to advise on a wide range of day-to-day organizational, programmatic and transactional matters, including legal issues related to employment, 501(c)(3) compliance, board governance, real estate, contracts and other matters.  The CLCO will also oversee legal, regulatory and contractual compliance matters for AAPCI, and will directly manage its Quality Assurance department.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with New York City and New York State laws and regulations applicable to AAPCI’s provision of social services, and supportive and transitional housing.

• Advise on compliance with federal and state laws and regulations governing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, compliance and risk management.

• Prepare board meeting agendas, resolutions, minutes, and other materials.

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, subcontracts, property leases and purchase agreements.

• Oversee and ensure compliance with applicable NYC and other government procurement rules, including rules regarding subcontractor approvals.

• Manage and oversee outside counsel, consultants and other advisors as necessary to support AAPCI’s legal and compliance needs.

• Develop new, and update existing, internal policies and procedures as required by AAPCI’s contracts with the City, applicable nonprofit or employment laws, or organizational and fiscal best practices, and oversee compliance with those policies and procedures.

• Coordinate with the Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO), senior management, and external counsel (if required and in consultation with the CHRO), regarding employment matters to ensure compliance with relevant employment law.

• In collaboration with the CHRO, manage, track, and coordinate organizational responses to whistleblower and related complaints, submitted directly or through a third-party mechanism.

• Manage litigation, administrative actions, subpoenas, and other claims or legal investigations when they arise, including coordinating with outside counsel and/or insurance providers regarding same.

• Oversee reports to government agencies, including but not limited to any potential Corrective Action Plans (CAP) that may be imposed upon the Agency, or other regulatory-related actions.

• Provide legal and compliance oversight on internal and external audits, including but not limited to fiscal statements, 403(b), and SOC-2/IT.

• Ensure AAPCI obtains and maintains adequate insurance coverage, managing liability insurance policies, liaising with brokers and vendors, managing renewals and audits, and tracking claims.

• Provide tax code compliant gift acknowledgment receipts to donors and ensure compliance with laws governing charitable solicitations.

• Manage and provide direction to the Quality Assurance Department, which includes a Quality Assurance Director, Data Analyst, and Training Coordinator.

• Work with division heads to create audit tools, data dashboards, and audit reporting tools to share across various stakeholders.

• Oversee and coordinate both the Incident Review Committee and Workplace Safety Committee, ensuring regular collection and discussion of, and corrective action planning for, incidents affecting both clients and staff.

• Oversee development and distribution of, and engagement around, staff trainings (both legal and programmatic compliance, staff engagement and enhancement), including tracking attendance.

Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited U.S. Law school.

• Admitted to practice law in New York State.

• A minimum of five (5) years relevant experience at a law firm and/or as in-house counsel at a nonprofit organization.  Experience in the following practice areas is strongly preferred:  Tax Exempt Organization; Employment; City Contracts, Real Estate; Affordable Housing.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent legal research, organizational and analytical skills.

• Ability to convey complex ideas verbally and in writing.

• High integrity, strong work ethic and ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously with enthusiasm and attention to detail.

• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to garner trust and confidently provide sound advice to the board of directors, management, and employees throughout the organization.

• Experience and judgment to know when to focus on details, big picture, or both.

• Self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity; ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times. 

• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.