General Counsel/Chief Human Resources Officer

The V Foundation for Cancer Research is seeking to expand its Senior Leadership Team with the addition of a General Counsel and Chief Human Resources Officer (GC & CHRO). Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the GC & CHRO will operate at the intersection of legal affairs, business strategy, personnel, and board engagement. This role will play a critical part in advancing the Foundation’s mission and realizing our vision of achieving Victory Over Cancer. The GC & CHRO will drive strategic planning, strengthen team culture, and ensure legal and organizational excellence. Join a purpose-driven organization making a meaningful impact through innovative fundraising, groundbreaking research support, and a dynamic workplace culture built for success.  Preference for candidates based in the greater Raleigh, NC area, however remote/hybrid applicants will also be considered.  

As a senior executive and legal advisor, the GC & CHRO is responsible for providing legal guidance, managing risk, and ensuring regulatory compliance across an organization.  This role will navigate the growing complexities of the V Foundation business structure through emerging lines of revenue, multi-party partnerships, and grant-making mechanisms that require experience and expertise delivered by the GC & CHRO.  The organization’s strategic plan calls upon the V Foundation staff to extend itself in new ways that will be aided by smart evolution as an organization.  Our ability to leverage our brand, history, and aspirations while connecting growth objectives and continuity to annual business plans will be important. 

The GC & CHRO will lead a team that has built and is establishing best practices to support human capital and business processes.  Our goals include maintenance of high standards related to recruitment, on-boarding, professional development, and retention.  We also believe that we must continually improve as an organization by utilizing collaboration, transparency, and communications to our advantage.

Supporting talent, having clear understanding of workflow, and developing leadership will all be paramount to success.
Inclusive in the role is serving as the Board Secretary to the V Foundation Board of Directors, Don’t Ever Give Up Board of Directors, and the V Foundation Canada Board of Directors.  As Board Secretary, the GC & CHRO will ensure continuity, board performance, and board governance best practices are developed and applied.  Working in close collaboration with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, Chairs of the Boards, and the Chair of the Board Nominating and Governance Committee, the GC & CHRO will understand how the business of the boards fills critical roles in governance, revenue generation, and market development.

The role includes direct reports in Human Resources, as well as business continuity and risk management.

Key Responsibilities and Activities: 

40%    Lead Legal Affairs to Accelerate Business Development Opportunities

• Utilize expertise to build legal and performance frameworks that sustain industry best practices and position the organization for high-impact growth.  Negotiate contracts, at times in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team, with external stakeholders, to include donors, business partners, and vendors.  Lead negotiations on an as-needed basis.
• Strategize with the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors when considering new business development models, structures, staffing, strategies, and governance.  Serve as a lead facilitator for business development objectives that require a strong connection between legal affairs and organizational development.  Represent the CEO as appropriate in gift and partnership negotiations.
• Mitigate and minimize legal risks, ensure compliance with laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels, safeguards the organization’s legal health and advise management as necessary.
• Serve as the organization’s legal point of contact for contracts, Human Resources issues and other legal affairs. Stay current on legal matters that may impact the business of the V Foundation.  
• Partner with outside counsel on matters with a broader scope or when additional legal counsel is required.
• Serve as a senior advisor to the CEO.

35%    Lead Human Resources & Business Continuity

• Provide executive management over the strategies, full-team engagement, and performance of Human Resources.  Enhance culture by sustaining core values and addressing opportunities for improvement.  Develop and execute a people strategy that aligns with the organization’s overall business objectives.  Ensure compliance with legal requirements and industry best practices.
• Provide executive management over the strategies and performance of business continuity and risk management.  Align creation and review of standard operating procedures that uplift productivity and efficiency.  Establish standards that enhance workgroup collaboration in a complex and hybrid work environment and that initiates action to address risk mitigation. 
• Ensure adherence to and raise awareness of employment laws and regulations related to labor practices, diversity, and equal opportunity.   Drive the effort to conduct annual compliance and risk assessment activities.
• Address challenges with workflow and establish a best practices framework to resolve challenges that arise from growth via systems, transparency, and communication.
• Direct reports include the Vice President for Human Resources, who leads the day-to-day human resources effort (and includes program staff) and Director of Business Continuity.

25%    Board/Corporate Secretary

• Serve as adviser and counselor to the CEO and board of directors.
• Establish and lead board and standing committee best practices through the V Foundation, Don’t Ever Give Up, and V Foundation Canada. In collaboration with the CEO, ensure the business of the Board and Committees moves forward and follow the intended schedule through proactive engagement with Board Chairs and Governance Committee.  
• Facilitate new board member orientation.
• Provide support on legal or fiduciary matters related to board governance, compliance, and contracts.  
• As requested by the Boards, interpret laws, rules and regulations that are relevant to the organization’s operations.
• Manage corporate governance matters, including the preparation of board materials and minutes. Partner with Executive Assistant on plotting meeting schedules and sequence.  Ensure the production of minutes, resolutions, charters, and documents meet best practice standards.
   

Minimum Requirements: 

• Juris Doctorate plus a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.
• Experience working in or with nonprofits, including foundations, social enterprises, and mission-focused entities.  Proven success navigating state and federal laws related to non-profit business and philanthropy.
• Experience working with non-profit fiduciary boards of directors to support their work as volunteers.  Additionally, experience collaborating with executive team leaders’ responsibilities supporting the work of the Board.
• Experience negotiating donor gift agreements.
• Experience negotiating corporate/industry charity agreements.
• Experience stewarding donors to a non-profit organization.
• Familiarity with human resources, and related laws and guidelines.
• A clear understanding of risk management and ways to mitigate risk.  
• Positive outcomes serving as a senior advisor to executive leadership.
• Proactive self-starter with strong analytical, planning, and management skills.
• Experience organizing strategies and resources that align with performance goals.  Proven ability to coach and mentor teams to achieve individual and collective potential.
• A belief in the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and act in a manner that demonstrates this commitment.
• Strong sense of initiative and an outcomes-oriented mindset.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Experience in the following areas is strongly preferred:

• Ability to analyze organizational needs and establish strategy.
• Demonstrated track record of leadership that facilitated significant and sustainable team performance.  An ability to lead by example with positivity, transparency, and production.
• Experience in areas like non-profit law, corporate governance, compliance, contract law, employment law, and risk management are valuable. 
• Significant experience engaging and collaborating with governing boards and volunteers.  Examples of utilizing volunteers to maximize their time, talents, networks, and treasures.