General Counsel

Job DetailsLevel: SeniorJob Location: Penn Center - Denver, CO 80203Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $260,000.00 - $330,000.00 SalaryJob Shift: DayJob Category: LegalSummary of Job Responsibilities

The General Counsel (GC) position, part of the Executive Leadership Team, is responsible for implementing, maintaining and protecting the Association’s legal posture and interests within the scope established by Colorado Statute, PERA’s Board of Trustees, and the Association’s CEO. This position handles complex and high-level legal matters requiring deep expertise in specialized areas such as member benefits, litigation support and strategy, health care, fiduciary issues, ethics, investments, contracts, employment law, open meetings, compliance, and governance. This position serves as a member of the executive leadership team, providing expertise and experience to the PERA policy and decision-making process. This role oversees a team of attorneys and paralegals, manages relationships with external counsel, and collaborates with executive leadership to ensure that PERA’s mission is carried out in a legally sound, ethical, and cost-effective manner. 

The position also provides oversight of the organization’s risk and compliance function and supports board governance and Board meeting management to help ensure effective governance practices and efficient administration of Board activities.

 

IDEAL CANDIDATE

Colorado PERA seeks an experienced attorney who thrives in a hands-on and collaborative environment to be the next General Counsel. The ideal candidate must have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to confidently educate and advise the Board, CEO, and others on complex legal and regulatory matters related to public pension management. The ideal candidate will be committed to upholding the fiduciary duty to our members and beneficiaries of Colorado PERA. This person will be able to quickly gain the confidence and respect of the Board, the executive team, leadership and staff. In addition, this person will have experience advising public agencies and understand that legal opinions must reflect the administrative realities within which the agency operates.  The ideal candidate will have a thorough understanding of fiduciary standards and obligations and experience overseeing legal, compliance, and board governance matters involving public pension funds and institutional investments.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Individuals must be able to perform these duties with or without reasonable accommodations.



Advises the CEO and PERA’s executive leadership on a wide range of legal matters including, but not limited to, fiduciary obligations, investments, board governance, health insurance, member benefits, legislation, ethics, compliance, risk, and employment law.


Provides legal advice to Board of Trustees and others regarding proposals or anticipated actions, Board governance, Board meeting protocol, and other areas.


Oversees coordination of legal activity performed by outside counsel.  


Monitors compliance and other matters related to the fiduciary responsibilities of the Board and staff


Coordinates responsive action to issues relating to PERA benefits (pension, 457, 401(k), health care, etc.)


Coordinates responsive action to issues stemming from PERA administration (contracting, personnel, general liability, etc.)


Partners with the investment team to provide strategic legal and compliance leadership for the firm's investment activities and shareholder responsibilities


Oversees the organization’s risk and compliance function


Oversees the Board Liaison and coordination with the Board’s governance consultant to ensure appropriate Board governance and Board meeting management 


Ensures compliance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations


Provides oversight and direction to leadership and the Board regarding PERA’s Governance Manual and compliance matters including working with third party partners and facilitating the Board of Trustee and CEO annual evaluation processes


Assists the CEO in legislative matters


Coordinates with the Director of Strategy and the Board’s governance consultant to assist the CEO and Board of Trustees in the long-range strategic planning process


Communicates with organizations within the industry regarding issues/interests in common with PERA





Provides leadership and direction to Divisions and staff under the oversight of the General Counsel and is responsible for all management functions including hiring, developing, and creating a high performing team 


Sets and communicates staff performance standards and expectations that are specific and measurable for productivity goals and development; conducts performance reviews and other act