General Counsel

Silicon Valley Community Foundation•Mountain View, CA

6d•$525,000 - $575,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a full-time, exempt level position in Mountain View, California. HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE SVCF’s work environment is based on a holistic wellness approach and therefore, has embraced a hybrid remote/office work environment. All SVCF team members must be based and hold residency in California and must be able to regularly attend team and staff meetings, trainings and other gatherings in Mountain View when required. JOB SUMMARY The General Counsel is a member of the Foundation’s Executive Leadership Team, and reports to the President and CEO. The General Counsel role is critical to helping the Foundation structure donor and grant agreements, as SVCF is the recipient of large and complex gifts, and makes similarly complex grants locally and around the world. The position is also charged with ensuring that SVCF remains in compliance with relevant laws, IRS regulations and contract agreements. This role requires a solutions-oriented and creative thinker with extensive legal expertise, discretion, judgment and a passion for SVCF's mission. The General Counsel functions as in-house legal counsel to SVCF’s Board, executive leadership team, and other team members on legal and risk management issues relating to general business practices and foundation matters. This position manages a range of complex contractual, litigation, tax, regulatory, compliance matters and assists with Foundation governance policies and practices. The General Counsel also works with SVCF’s supporting organizations to ensure compliance with applicable laws and the Foundation’s policies and operational procedures. The General Counsel will be able to forecast, identify and assess legal risks while simultaneously providing pragmatic, solutions-focused guidance that balances risk mitigation with organizational goals. The General Counsel must maintain high standards of ethics, integrity and confidentiality at all times due to the General Counsel's access to highly sensitive information.

Requirements

J. D. with a minimum of 15 years of senior or relevant legal experience with active Bar status; a professional concentration in the area of trusts and estates would be beneficial
Exp erience with laws applicable to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations including governance, contract, grant agreements and other day-to-day matters
Comfort exercising strategic judgment to help navigate complex legal situations to further the organization's mission
Proven track record of excellent management and supervisory skills and experience
Awareness of when outside counsel is needed, and having a network to tap for additional expertise
Advanced research skills, including the ability to highlight and prioritize information that is truly material
Demonstrate and promote appropriate risk tolerance in alignment with the Board’s direction
Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with persons across diverse backgrounds
Experience in communicating in a persuasive and reflective manner, in person, in digital settings and in writing and presentations; ability to explain complex topics in simple terms
Effective and respectful negotiation skills, resulting in mutually beneficial agreements between or among parties
Professional writing and verbal communication skills
Solid analytical and evaluative skills
Ability to learn quickly and respond/react to changing priorities
Responsiveness to a wide variety of constituents, including the Executive Team, the Development and Donor Services teams, donors and the Board
Proficient at managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously in an organized and flexible fashion with a dedication to the timely completion of required tasks
Effective at presenting to diverse stakeholders and audiences through public speaking
Capable of exercising good judgment when it comes to problem-solving, setting priorities, and decision making
Able to work both independently as a self-starter and in a team environment with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
Understanding and adherence to high standards of ethics and confidentiality

Nice To Haves

A passion for community philanthropy
Knowledge of relevant laws governing nonprofit organizations
Strong operational and implementation experience, demonstrated through positions that require action, rather than the provision of counsel

Responsibilities

Working on internal “deal teams,” facilitating fund modifications, estate settlements and gifts of complex appreciated assets, such as stock and real estate, and closely held business interests and other illiquid assets; managing the process for administration and sale of such assets
In conjunction with the Philanthropic Partnerships team and the CFO, overseeing SVCF’s planned giving program – especially legal and contractual issues associated with bequests and the like
Ensure compliance on all grantmaking, including legal issues associated with international grantmaking; keep abreast of all relevant federal and state laws and regulations
Developing and managing contracts with vendors, consultants, philanthropic support arrangements and grants awarded to SVCF from external funders, which include local and national foundations and local, state and federal governmental entities, that provide funds to support the SVCF’s community change leadership initiatives
Ensuring processes and procedures are in place for excellence in enterprise risk management practices by identifying potential areas of risk across the organization and considering strategies to mitigate identifiable risks; this includes ensuring compliance with applicable laws, maintenance of adequate insurance coverage, and development and implementation of sound business process management practice
Serving as in-house counsel on legal issues as they affect current and prospective clients/donors (including fund agreement development, legacy fulfillment, and gifts of complex assets)
Ensuring fiduciary duties of SVCF are properly executed; this includes assisting the President/CEO with governance support in managing and revising SVCF’s by-laws and committee charters as needed
Supporting and staffing SVCF’s Board Governance Committee, and participating in Audit Committee meetings, and the like
Developing ongoing expertise in, and remaining current on legal, tax, accounting, investment and risk management issues relevant to SVCF and the activities/initiatives the Foundation is currently involved in or is considering undertaking
Managing a team, currently consisting of two attorneys and a legal assistant
Partnering with the Executive Team on risk implications of shifts in strategy
Coordinating work with all outside counsel
Other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

SVCF is committed to offering competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits.
Our comprehensive benefits package includes generous medical, dental, and vision plans; paid time off; holidays and employer contribution and matching to a 403(b) retirement plan.

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