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Posted March 29, 2023

General Counsel

Vital Strategies
New York, NY Hybrid Full Time
Reference: VitalStrategies589

Job Brief Vital Strategies General Counsel The Organization: All around the world, Vital Strategies quickens the pulse...

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Job Brief

Vital Strategies General Counsel

The Organization:

All around the world, Vital Strategies quickens the pulse of public health. A growing global health organization that works with governments and civil society in more than 70 countries to design innovative strategies and implement evidence-based solutions to tackle todays most pressing public health issues including: air pollution, food policy, overdose prevention, road safety, public health data systems, tobacco control, and urban health.

Because of Vital Strategies comprehensive approach, and a steadfast commitment to quality programs, the organization has expanded its global footprint in recent years currently with offices in New York, USA; Jinan, China; Paris, France; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Singapore; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Delhi, India. As Vital Strategies expands its operations, so does its visibility and reputation for excellence and impact.

Adopting promising interventions to big global health challenges can only be met by assembling the best and brightest minds in public health and international development. Vital Strategies is seeking an individual who is excited by the opportunity to play an influential role on a team addressing some of our most pressing public health needs.

The Role:

Reports to: President & Chief Executive Officer

Location: New York City, currently hybrid work schedule

The General Counsel (GC) will have the exciting opportunity to make an immediate impact at Vital Strategies as an executive member of its dynamic global team.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the GC will:

  • Serve as the trusted legal advisor to executive leadership and oversee all legal work related to strategy, international programs and operations, people issues, business development, contracts, compliance, data privacy, risk mitigation, and execution.

  • Attend Board meetings as needed and provide reports and information as requested. The ideal candidate will be able to provide sound strategic guidance as well as a roll-up-your sleeves details assessment.

  • Contribute to building a collaborative, service, and team-oriented culture of excellence, and will innovate alongside Vital Strategies entrepreneurial global team. The GC will have the opportunity to assess the current resources which includes a legal assistant and several external law firms to determine additional needs.

Key areas of responsibility include:

  • Trusted Legal Advisor. As a member of the organizations executive leadership, provide advice and counsel to senior leaders in the organization. Partner with programs leads to provide guidance, legal opinion, and, when necessary, review of issues. Partner with Global Operations to assist with discussions about safety and security, including COVID and other safety-related protocols, and determination of insurance coverages and limits.

    Partner with the HR team regarding matters related to relevant employment and labor laws, immigration, and work authorization matters. Partner with the Finance team on tax, audit, and other financial matters.

  • Risk Management. Proactively and creatively evaluate risk factors impacting business decisions, including receipt of donor funding, entering new countries, entering into contracts with different types of entities, programmatic risk particularly exposure of industries, and establishing policies and procedures. Anticipate legal issues that could impact the organization. Advise on potential liability and areas of risk for Vital Strategies. Oversee intellectual property matters, including copyrights and trademarks, data privacy and security matters. Advise on global employment law issues and people related risks.

  • Contracts Expert. Oversee the review of contracts, including non-disclosure agreements and confidentiality agreements, service agreements, purchase agreements, secondment agreements, and project transition-related agreements. Experience with MOUs with national and municipal governments preferred. Assess, analyze, and summarize complicated legal documents, including contracts, and make suggestions for alterations of these documents. Lead negotiations with outside parties on contractual issues and legal disputes.

  • International Operations/Globalization. Advise on the organizations global expansion of its international operations, oversee office registration and closing processes, and assess advantages of registration type. Help to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations for Vital Strategies globally, including its multiple offices and affiliates.

  • Compliance and Ethics. Be knowledgeable about and anticipate legislative and regulatory changes affecting the organization, especially industry-specific issues (e.g., tax-exempt organizations and international non-governmental organizations), employment law, corporate governance, compliance and regulatory affairs, including familiarity with regulations of the US Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Familiarity with governmental and donor lobbying rules. Advisory support for 501(c)(3) and the 501(c)(4) organizations, oversight of the whistleblower program, and development and implementation of legal policies and procedures.

  • Data Regulations. Understand and advise on local and international regulations on personal data (e.g., GDPR) ownership and management.

  • Collaborate on public health law matters. Vital Strategies' public health law practice provides technical assistance to its global partners by conducting legal and legislative analysis, reviewing and supporting the drafting of laws and regulations, and providing best-practice guidance on policies to address leading risk factors for health. The GC may be asked to provide support to programmatic attorneys as appropriate.

  • Manage External Counsel. Coordinate and manage a network of external counsel that can respond to legal issues and regulations impacting Vital Strategies operations worldwide. Oversee all disputes and litigation, including managing outside counsel representing Vital Strategies.

The Person:

Vital Strategies seeks a leader, who is familiar with non-profits (public health sector experience a plus) and who understands the role of in-house counsel within a global context. Someone who thrives in fast paced, dynamic environments. You are skilled at striking the balance between good customer service, risk mitigation, and advancing our mission. You lead with strong unquestionable ethics to support the organizations mission and values, and you are adept at building trusted relationships to operate in a complex environment. You have a get-stuff-done attitude, a collaborative approach, and a strong interest in our public health mission.

  • Legal Experience. Minimum of 10 years of post-degree legal experience, including experience in a senior in-house counsel role. Subject matter expertise in business contracts, domestic and international labor-employment issues, and global office presence. Legal experience working internationally with a demonstrable track record of handling a wide variety of matters, including corporate governance, complex transactions, data privacy, anti-corruption and anti-bribery compliance, and interfacing with regulators - i.e. the array of legal and compliance issues a leading NGO faces in its work around the globe.

  • People Person. You are a natural leader and have a knack for working with othersfor understanding their needs and creating win-win solutions. Strong listening skills, and a natural ability to instill trust and confidence. You are a team-player and natural collaborator able to influence and collaborate up, down and across an organization.

  • Problem Solver. You see problems as mysteries to solve and can bring an analytical eye, as well as sound judgment, creativity, and consensus building to any challenge.

  • Service Oriented. You possess a can-do attitude with a client-first focus on high-quality, timely delivery of practical, actionable legal advice and business counsel.

  • Superior Communication Skills. You have a proven ability to effectively connect with and influence a diverse group of staff, executive leaders, Board members, outside counsel, and outside agencies. You are a polished writer, are deeply attuned to nuance in the written word, and can translate complex legal issues into plain English.

  • Culturally Competent. You possess a high level of cultural competency to operate in a global environment and can effectively interact with governments and stakeholders around the world.

  • The candidate must have eligibility to work in the U.S. at time of hire.

Educational Qualifications:

  • Law degree from an ABA accredited law school.

  • Eligible to practice law in New York State through New York State Bar admission or registration as in-house counsel in good standing

Languages:

  • To successfully work in a global context, knowledge of French and Spanish would be great assets.

Compensation:

  • We offer highly competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
  • Salary range is $230,000 to $260,000 per year, depending on experience.

To learn more about this opportunity AND APPLY, please contact:

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Vital Strategies is committed to helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protecting the safety of our employees. All U.S. employees will be required to be fully vaccinated unless the employee is approved for a reasonable accommodation due to a disability or a religious reason.

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Vital Strategies is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive (DEI) organization.

We believe our programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by individuals with diverse life experiences, whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make our work and workforce more inclusive.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, gender, national origin, ancestry, actual or perceived age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, marital status, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, alienage or citizenship status, gender (including gender identity or expression), partnership status, arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, status as a victim of sex offense or stalking, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws.

#LI-Hybrid

This listing expired on May 28. Applications are no longer accepted.

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