Corporate Counsel

The Corporate Counsel helps the legal team manage the legal duties and responsibilities of the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation in order to protect the organization’s interests and to ensure that all laws and IRS requirements are followed. The Corporate Counsel participates in strategic efforts to build and strengthen relationships with the professional advisor community; assists with complex development and business transactions on behalf of the organization and supports the review and negotiation of Community Foundation contracts. The Corporate Counsel provides legal guidance to other teams in the organization and interacts with donors and their professional advisors as they establish funds and make gifts of complex assets.

This full-time position reports to the Senior Corporate Counsel and is salaried, exempt. This position works from the Kansas City, MO office and requires some travel around the metro area. There may be an ability to work remotely up to two days a week after a successful training period.

This job description is a summary of the employment-at-will relationship and not a contract. Not every responsibility is outlined, changes should be anticipated, and other duties will be assigned as necessary. 

• Fund Documentation Review: Serve as the primary staff contact for review of fund-related documents, coordinating updates and assessing organizational impact, in coordination with department leadership.
• Contract Review and Negotiation: Support the legal team in managing the organization’s external vendor contracts.
• Complex Transaction Support: Facilitate complex legal transactions, with a particular focus on those involving donors contributing unique assets.
• Donor & Advisor Legal Liaison: Serve as a key organizational contact for donors and professional advisors, closely collaborating with internal teams to address legal questions concerning gifts, grants, and fund-related matters.
• Professional Advisor Outreach Support: Support outreach to the professional advisor community, primarily focusing on outreach to estate planning and corporate attorneys, but also accountants and financial advisors as needed.
• New Fund Development: Help open new charitable funds by cultivating prospects, responding to professional advisor referrals for new funds and drafting fund documents as needed.
• Regulatory Compliance and Impact Analysis: Stay up to date on legislation and regulations that affect the organization and train staff as needed on changes affecting charitable giving and community foundations.

Requirements

• Education & Experience: A Juris Doctorate degree and active law license in the state of Missouri, preferably with at least three years of experience in the areas of charitable tax, estate planning and/or corporate transactions and reviewing contracts.
• Communication & Relationships: Strong analytical, drafting, research, and communication skills. Ability to read, analyze and interpret complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Operational Agility: Ability to operate in a highly collaborative environment, while able to work independently and be self-motivated. Collaborate with other teams to understand how tasks and workflows impact other areas of the organization and how we may work together to streamline processes.
• Legal Acumen: Ability to analyze the law and apply it to the business needs of the organization. Ability to make effective presentations on complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
• Transportation: Ability to drive, navigate maps/GPS instructions, and possess reliable transportation with a clean driving record and valid driver’s license.

Physical Requirements

• Office & Computer Work: Ability to work regularly at a computer terminal in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
• Noise & Communication: Able to work in an office with moderate noise levels. Ability to communicate and interpret detailed information effectively.