Vice President - General Counsel

Great benefits. Competitive pay. We know these are some of the things people look for in a job.

If you’re the kind of person who believes that honoring and empowering our nation’s veterans is more than just a cause that it’s a calling then we’re ready to meet you.

When you join Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), you’re committing to making a difference. We make a commitment to you, too helping you to find that spark, ignite your passion to serve, and embark on a career with meaning and purpose.

At WWP™, we recognize our mission cannot be accomplished without our talented teammates, which is why we’re proud to offer benefits such as :

• A flexible hybrid work schedule (three days in the office, two days’ work from home)
• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage for both teammates AND family members
• Competitive pay and performance incentives
• A fun, mission-focused, and collaborative team environment

The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Vice President - General Counsel serves as legal counsel to the organization and is responsible for managing WWP’s legal affairs and overseeing the provision of legal services to WWP.

This position provides timely and well-informed guidance and counsel to WWP’s executive team, board, and teammates on a wide variety of legal, regulatory, compliance, and governance matters.

The General Counsel leads the legal, compliance, and internal audit teams to support the mission and culture while minimizing risk to the organization.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as the principal legal advisor to the CEO, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Board members, and all WWP executive leaders.

Provide strategic, professional, solutions oriented, and proactive legal guidance and service to WWP on programmatic, corporate, and general legal matters.

• Matters may include the following areas : compliance with nonprofit tax and fundraising laws and regulations; grants and impact investments;
• contracts; guidance to program teammates on legal issues relating to the provision of service to veterans; corporate governance matters;
• audit and insurance matters; real estate and leases; development and monitoring of policies; intellectual property matters;

employment / benefit matters; ethics; enterprise risk management; internal audit; long-term support trust, and bequests.

Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of pertinent federal and state laws, regulations, rulings, interpretations, and court decisions as they affect WWP.

Participate in the creation, development, and achievement of organizational strategy and policy as a member of the executive team.

Develop preventive legal strategies and organizational policy and compliance programs to help minimize litigation, third party disputes, and other potential program development and implementation challenges.

Represent WWP where necessary and / or retain counsel for such representation; determine when to retain outside counsel and whom to retain and maintain relationships with such counsel.

Lead and manage the Legal and Compliance teams, including hiring, training, evaluating, and developing professional, paraprofessional, and administrative teammates.

Provide direction to and oversight of the Compliance and Legal teams to ensure consistent compliance with regulatory, contractual, and internal policies and standards.

Represent WWP before administrative agencies and with industry partners as it concerns policies, laws, rules, and regulations and the efficient and effective management of a nonprofit organization.

Work cooperatively and strategically with teammates to analyze and advise on legal, business and tax implications, and coordinate a variety of transactional matters.

Draft, modify, negotiate, and / or review WWP legal documents and organizational policies including conducting legal research and providing legal opinions.

Monitor and evolve WWP’s compliance program and maintain organizational compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

Educate the organization on compliance best-practices and serve as a resource to identify and mitigate risk across the organization.

Review and execute corporate documents on behalf of the organization and for the administration of legal and regulatory requirements.

Facilitate timely and accurate communications between the Executive team and the Board of Directors.

Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Optimistic, pragmatic, solution-oriented with possess a genuine interest in and commitment to protecting the organization and its people.

Highly motivated, passionate, and creative team player with demonstrated commitment to organizational culture, goals, and objectives.

Broad overall legal knowledge in litigation, corporate law, exempt organizations law, employment law, etc.

Demonstrated ability to develop legal strategy, articulate guiding principles, and drive appropriate outcomes.

Able to troubleshoot, identify viable options, balance risks, and problem-solve through excellent reasoning abilities and demonstrating sound judgment.

Strong working knowledge of Westlaw / LexisNexis.

Positive attitude and ability to work in a collaborative environment while effectively communicating legal concepts to teammates throughout the organization.

Demonstrated ability to handle highly sensitive matters with confidentiality, diplomacy, and professionalism.

Excellent organizational skills and time management skills with ability to prioritize and effectively handle multiple priorities with tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Advanced business understanding and acumen.

Demonstrated ease and confidence in public speaking and representing WWP.

Committed to the highest standards of personal and professional ethics and conduct.

Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office programs, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.

Mission-driven, guided by core values, and a pleasure to work with.

EXPERIENCE

Requirements

Twelve years of relevant legal experience.

Ten years of leadership or staff management experience.

Preferences

Ten years of experience in a corporate legal environment.

Seven years of non-profit or program evaluation experience.

Five years of experience interacting with a Board of Directors and managing responsibilities related to corporate governance.

EDUCATION

Requirements

Juris doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE

Requirements

Must have active bar license in good standing and, if such license is not in Florida, the ability to obtain Florida Authorized House Counsel certification.

Valid state-issued driver’s license.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS

General office environment; temperature controlled

Up to 25% travel

ca-sb

LI-HYBRID

Wounded Warrior Project® is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.