Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Agency Name: Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Position / Job Title : Chief Legal Officer
Location: Washington DC
Category : Attorney
Job Description:
KIND seeks a Chief Legal Officer (CLO) to be part of the executive and senior leadership teams. The Chief Legal Officer (CLO) role requires an exceptional lawyer and senior executive focused on serving as a strategic partner and business advisor to KIND’s executive and senior leadership teams, and the organization’s Board of Directors. The CLO possesses the technical depth and leadership experience to oversee the organization’s compliance and contract functions, manage risk across the organization, select and direct outside legal counsel and establish an in-house legal function when appropriate, and lead the organization’s impact litigation docket, while helping fulfill the organization’s mission of providing high-quality pro bono legal and social services, and advocacy to migrant and refugee children.
The CLO must never lose sight of the fact that their client is the organization, which means the CLO must balance the needs and interests of various stakeholders against the best interests of the organization. This role calls for judgment, equanimity, and long-term perspective when devising short- and mid-term strategies. The CLO will wear many hats—corporate secretary, chief compliance officer, and chief privacy officer, among others. The CLO must, thus, make sure that they understand which roles they will serve directly, which they will oversee, and which will be delegated elsewhere.
Essential Functions:
Strategic Partner to Executive and Senior Leadership Teams Regarding Legal Issues Understand the overall goals and mission of the organization, viewing the legal aspects of strategic decisions through the lens of impacting the lives of migrant children. Understand the organization’s mission to serve migrant and refugee children; how internal and external stakeholders perceive that mission; and how that mission interacts with KIND’s business operations.
Serve as a strategic thought and business partner on the senior executive team, inclined toward charting and executing proactive, rather than reactive, strategies meant to enhance the organization’s standing and minimizing its exposure.
Provide strategic alternatives and ideas on both legal and business issues affected by legal considerations. Collaborate with organizational leaders to provide valuable advice and counsel within the context of the organization’s mission. Structure key business initiatives in a manner that helps to achieve mission and business objectives while keeping in mind legal and regulatory considerations; and Monitor and stay abreast of legal changes that affect the organization and the environment in which the organization operates.
Oversee KIND’s Compliance and Contract Capabilities Set the overall philosophy and strategy of the organization regarding all legal matters and decisions, and ensure that all practices, policies, business activities, and decisions are consistent with the organization’s values and culture. Foster a culture in which the highest compliance and governance standards are met, understood, and advanced. Represent the organization’s compliance and contract capabilities to key constituents.
Ensure that the basic corporate structure, governance documents, and compliance environment of the organization meet the evolving standards of external stakeholders and governing bodies. Counsel the organization regarding governance and regulatory requirements and activity both in the United States and other countries in which KIND operates. Provide solutions-oriented oversight and leadership for all legal needs of the company, including managing and directing general corporate matters, corporate organization, compliance, general transaction support, joint ventures, partnerships, regulatory matters, and general contract management.
Manage Risk Across KIND Balance the legal aspects of KIND’s day-to-day operations, while monitoring the repercussions and risks associated with the organization’s strategic moves, be they programmatic or operational. Liaise, advise, and consult with the Board of Directors’ Audit Committee regarding appropriate levels of risk for the organization while identifying and working with the committee to manage and minimize exposure to material reputational harm. Understand and be vigilant as to the potential risks facing the organization and make sure appropriate procedures are in place to prevent these risks from arising and address them in the event they do arise. Recognize the legal risk of new ventures, while also placing them in the wider context of the organization’s mission.
Oversee External Legal Teams Retained by KIND and Establish Internal Legal Team When Appropriate Manage external legal teams, including selecting legal-service providers that understand KIND’s mission and exhibit creativity and flexibility with respect to fees, legal strategies, and diversity and inclusivity when forming teams to work on KIND matters. Drive efficiency and cost optimization when it comes to retaining outside counsel. Establish, lead, and manage an internal legal team, growing and retaining legal and business talent as the organization’s needs merit. Manage Impact Litigation Lead KIND’s impact litigation strategy, including setting and driving litigation strategy and managing KIND’s litigation docket.
Work strategically, internally, and externally, to shape, manage, coordinate, and direct litigation across the organization to advance the overall mission, vision, and impact of KIND. Coordinate impact litigation efforts with peer organizations to enhance effective collective action, foster goodwill in the communities in which KIND operates, and use limited community resources efficiently.
Qualifications and Requirement:
Law degree from a United States law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a minimum of fifteen years of related legal experience. Valid license to practice in a United States jurisdiction and a member of good standing in that jurisdiction’s bar. Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal. Strong strategic and analytic skills. Organizational and political agility, including refined negotiation skills. Ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously with ongoing efforts. Ability to take initiative, addressing challenges creatively and efficiently. Ability to interact with senior leadership team, board members, and high-level external partners with confidence and professionalism.
Outstanding team player, who is inherently proactive, driven, collaborative, dedicated, and possesses the ability to develop first-class relationships, both internally and externally. Must be an innovative, strategic thinker, both pragmatic and operationally savvy, with a strong commitment to positively impacting the lives of migrant and refugee children. Comfortable in a changing organization and political climate, and able to excel by operating with a sense of urgency while remaining flexible, open-minded, and adaptable. Perform responsibilities in a professional manner and handle assignments with a high degree of accuracy, reliability, and confidentiality.
Possessed of excellent judgment. Strong code of ethics, integrity, and trustworthiness. Able to work with includes significant phone and in-person contact with the public, board of directors, high-level donors, corporate executives, celebrities, and organization staff. Light travel may be required – approximately 7-14 days a year. KIND requires all staff be COVID vaccinated with the exception of those who have medical or religious beliefs exemptions.
Application Instructions: Please submit an employment application, along with your resume and cover letter in: https://supportkind.hrmdirect.com/employment/job-opening.php?req=2016423&cust_sort1=100304&&jbsrc=1025, in order to be considered for the desired role. KIND has an organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strive to create a work environment where everyone has a sense of belonging. Individuals from historically underrepresented or underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Link to Application: http://supportkind.hrmdirect.com/employment/job-opening.php?req=2016423&cust_sort1=100304&&jbsrc=1025
Other Relevant Links: http://supportkind.org/