General Counsel

Passionate about groundbreaking community development and mission-driven leadership in a growing organization? Interested in cutting-edge community development, neighborhood revitalization, and developing mission-driven strategies? If so, we want to talk to you!

New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC) is a community development financial institution with a mission to create thriving communities through strategic investments and knowledge. Fulfilling the needs and improving the quality of life of low- and moderate-income families and individuals would not be possible without our talented staff and motivating environment. NJCC embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Job Overview

The General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer will provide broad and varied legal guidance and support on all legal affairs of varying complexity, collaborate with clients and colleagues to improve internal processes, and enhance efficiency consistent with NJCC’s risk framework while also delivering a positive customer experience.

Responsibilities

Manage all legal affairs for the organization; provide legal counsel to the board of directors, President/Chief Executive Officer, senior management, and other organization staff as needs arise.

Advise on a broad range of organization, employee relations, intellectual property, litigation, tax, regulatory and compliance matters.

Negotiate and draft corporate, transactional, and other legal documents. May include property/land dispositions and acquisitions, commercial lending and lease negotiations, vendor procurement contracts, development, and joint venture partnership agreement.

Manage and coordinate litigation matters.

Ensure compliance with organizational, investor, donor and regulatory reporting and filing requirements.

Manage legal budget, retain, and manage outside counsel as required to provide specialized legal expertise and/or to manage timely provision of legal services.

Collaborate with the lines of business to identify and resolve legal and regulatory issues associated with the development of new initiatives, products and services.

Supervise, develop, and assess paralegal and compliance team members.

Develop legal services systems for tracking matters, recordkeeping, training of staff, etc.

Ensure board of directors has resources and information required to fulfill fiduciary duties and to comply with organization bylaws, agreements, and other governing documents.

Prepared resolutions and other documents required to appropriately record and document actions of the Board of Directors. Maintain and act as custodian of organization and legal records and documents, ensuring legal compliance.

Establish and implement organizational Risk Management Plan.

Oversee compliance with organization Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest, and other associated policies; develop policies, reporting and investigation systems, and trainings as required to ensure compliance with all policies and Risk Management Plan.

Implement and oversee an internal audit function of the organization to undertake independent reviews and evaluations of management operations and activities.

Qualifications

Juris doctorate from a major; accredited law school required.

Currently licensed to practice in the courts of the state of New Jersey.

Minimum of ten years senior level legal practice in a major nonprofit organization, law firm or corporate in-house legal practice required. Experience in relevant field (finance, real estate, business law) preferred.

Demonstrated knowledge of the law applicable to tax-exempt organizations required. Broad experience in corporate business law and complex transactions helpful.

Pragmatic approach to the practice of law required.

Strong interpersonal skills.

Strong written and oral communication skills, including public speaking. Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish)

Ability to prioritize competing needs and opportunities (i.e., respond to needs from different line of business)

Demonstrated ability to work independently or lead project team on complex transactions.

Possess a strong sense of professional judgment and ability to solve problems creatively.

Ability to think strategically to identify trends and risks, and ability to facilitate and implement solutions.

Must be willing to travel (up to 30%) to attend meetings at other locations.

COVID-19 Vaccine Required: As of the first day of employment, you must be able to demonstrate proof that you are fully vaccinated (as defined by the CDC) against COVID-19, unless you are granted a medical or religious exemption in accordance with company policy.

Work Location

In the short term, because of COVID-related precautions implemented by NJCC, this position is required to work in the office a minimum of 2 days per week. It is incumbent that the candidate has a sufficient home workspace and reliable, consistent internet access to enable seamless participation in virtual meetings across various platforms, access to virtual files and performance of tasks. In the longer term, this position will work out of NJCC’s New Brunswick office. Adherence to all health and safety requirements, including wearing a face mask in the office. This position will be required to work in the office 5 days per week once COVID-related precautions have been lifted.

Work Schedule

Business hours typically run between 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Some days may require working longer to meet important deadlines.

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a competitive nonprofit annual salary ($200K - $225K) based on experience and skills, as well as a generous benefits package, including health, dental, disability and life insurance after 30 days of service; 401(k) retirement plan after a year of service; flexible spending accounts, including medical, dependent care, and transportation; and 25 paid leave days, including sick and personal days plus 13 paid holidays.