General Counsel

Race Forward's mission is to catalyze movement building for racial justice. In partnership with communities, organizations, and sectors, we build strategies to advance racial justice in our policies, institutions, and culture. Race Forward imagines a just, multiracial democratic society free from oppression and exploitation, in which people of color thrive with power and purpose.

Since 1981, Race Forward has brought a systemic analysis and an innovative approach to complex race issues to help people take effective action toward racial equity. In 2017 Race Forward united with the Center for Social Inclusion to become the new Race Forward.

Position Summary

The General Counsel is responsible for ensuring compliance with regulations, identifying, and documenting regulatory risks and assisting the organization and developing controls. This position involves planning, organization, and execution of day-to-day operational compliance activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Compliance Oversight

Advise senior management, and others within the organization on nonprofit corporate, tax, compliance, intellectual property, corporate governance, benefits, litigation, and employment law issues;

Ensure organizational compliance with contracts and applicable law and regulation, such as lobbying, regulatory and public policy matters and laws relating to charitable solicitations in New York State and nationally;

Advise on Board governance documents and governance issues, preparing materials for Board and committee meetings. Partner with members of the Senior Leadership Team on management of Board and related committees;

Monitor and advise on legislative developments related to nonprofit organizations, including human resources and benefits-related legislation;

Review and/or prepare for filing various financial reporting documents, such as the Form 990 and state registration forms, filings relating to lobbying compliance, filings relating to governmental pre-qualifications and filings due to watchdog agencies, such as the Better Business Bureau, System for Award Management (SAM), etc.

Contracting Oversight

Draft, review, revise, negotiate, and/or execute a variety of contracts, such as grant, funding, and program agreements with nonprofits collaborating with Race Forward on program, agreements relating to data sharing, vendor and consultant agreements, and agreements relating to ownership of intellectual property, corporate sponsorships, special events, licensing, real estate and leases, among other things, and advise senior management on related issues.

Senior Leadership Team Advising

Advise on risk management practice, liability, and insurance matters, liaising with external brokers to determine appropriate insurance liability products and to provide certificate of insurance upon request;

Participate in strategic planning and response, both in the broad sense and on day-to-day matters.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

To perform successfully in this role, incumbent should possess skills identified below:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, and policies.

Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Qualifications and Experience

Juris Doctorate degree and 3 5 years' proven experience in nonprofit contracts administration, risk management or compliance officer roles.

Brilliant oral and written communication skills.

Highly-analytical with strong attention to detail.

Strong understanding of general nonprofit law and tax regulations pertaining to tax-exempt organizations and a working knowledge of contracts, trademarks and copyrights, and nonprofit compliance required.

Experience researching and effectively communicating corporate and legal matters to a lay audience required.

Strong leadership skills, interpersonal/communication skills, and critical thinking skills required.

Supervisory experience preferred.

Additional Information

This position requires long periods of time at a desk on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds of equipment and climb ladders. Semi-annual visits to Oakland office.