General Counsel

The General Counsel is a key member of CICOA’s executive leadership team. This role provides strategic oversight of legal affairs, regulatory compliance, human resources, risk management and organizational policy development. This position advises the CEO and executive team, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and fostering a strong, value-driven internal culture. The position supports organizational innovation and operational excellence through effective leadership of people, operations, and internal systems.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Human Resources Leadership

• Serve as the executive leader of Human Resources: including development of HR staff, strategy, policy development, and compliance to ensure alignment with organizational goals and legal standards.
• Ensure adherence to employment laws, policies and workplace regulations.
• Supervise HR leadership, including talent acquisition, employee relations, training, and retention strategies.
• Lead initiatives to promote a positive, inclusive, and high-performance workplace culture.
• Ensure alignment of HR practices with CICOA’s mission, legal requirements, and risk management strategies.

Compliance Leadership 

• Provide executive leadership of the Compliance Department, including development of Compliance and Quality Staff and executive level oversight of CICOA’s established compliance program.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the Seven Elements of an Effective Compliance Program/General Compliance Program Guidance as defined by the Office of the Inspector General. 
• Report compliance issues directly to the Board of Directors as necessary and consistent with the rules of the CICOA’s compliance program. 
• Recognize and respond when compliance issues have broader legal obligations.  
• Serve as an internal consultant to administration, staff, and the board in the areas of regulator, process improvement, performance monitoring, and statistical analysis. 
• Manage a departmental budget, lead cost efficient and effective operations
• Role model ICARE through leading a department focused on Integrity, Courage, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.
• Review and negotiate contracts to minimize organizational risk.
• Oversee legal considerations for fundraising efforts, including donor agreements and IRS regulations.

Legal 

• Provide legal strategy and guidance on issues affecting CICOA’s operations, including contracts, risk management, and regulatory compliance. 
• Manage relationships with outside counsel and ensure timely, cost-effective legal services. 
• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and implement internal policies and procedures.
• Ensure that administrative practices reflect current laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Advise on organizational structure and systems to promote efficiency and accountability.
• Advise the board of directors on fiduciary responsibilities, bylaws, and governance policies.
• Continually assess the risk factors facing CICOA and ensure that appropriate measures are taken to address those risks.  

Government & Public Policy 

• Provide guidance to executive leadership on high-level public policy issues that directly affect legal or HR operations.
• Take a leadership role in policy development to support the development of innovation.  
• Protect and support the management of intellectual property, trademarks, copyrights, and licensing agreements. 
• Monitor relevant legal and regulatory changes and ensure the organization is prepared to adapt appropriately.

Supervisory Responsibilities 

This job oversees CICOA's compliance, accreditation, quality and risk initiatives, human resources and the employees within.  

Qualifications 

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• At least 10 years of leadership experience, including in legal and human resources roles.
• Demonstrated expertise in employment law, risk management, and organizational leadership.
• Experience in nonprofit or social service sectors preferred. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   

Education and/or Experience 

• Required Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.