General Counsel

The General Counsel will lead the Office of the General Counsel (the “OGC”). The OGC is committed to supporting the Society’s mission, participating in strategic planning, finding innovative solutions to its clients’ needs, and striving to provide the most efficient, practical, and timely advice possible. The OGC is responsible for managing the legal function on behalf of the Society and works with all internal ACS Units and with the Society’s extensive governance to enhance the Society’s mission and to protect the Society’s legal rights. The OGC ensures that the Society complies with the many legal obligations facing ACS as a large nonprofit.

Key Responsibilities
Having lead responsibility for the Society’s legal function and the OGC, the General Counsel will have significant involvement in diverse matters pertaining to, but not limited to, the following:
• Participating in the development of the vision of the Society.
• Developing and implementing strategies for functional areas to support the overall organization strategy.
• Serving as chief legal adviser and counseling management and the Board on the legal implications of all Society activities and issues.
• Managing the legal function for the Society.
• Monitoring and updating the Society’s legal and regulatory needs.
• Providing legal oversight for complex business transactions.
• Obtaining and overseeing the services of outside counsel as required to complement available internal legal resources.
• Providing legal services as required in legal proceedings or directing and supervising the delivery of legal services by others.
• Keeping abreast of legislative and administrative regulatory developments.
• Overseeing preparation of the OGC’s budget and assuring adherence to authorized budgets and to financial policy objectives set by the CEO.
• Participating in Society planning and policy development activities as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
• Managing the OGC and legal team and providing them with professional development and support.
• Performing other duties, as necessary.

Qualifications
• J.D. from an ABA accredited law school.
• 15+ years of broad-based progressively responsible legal experience.
• 8+ years of management experience.
• Experience working in the non-profit sector preferred.
• Significant experience advising Board of Directors and working with an executive leadership team.

Key Attributes
• A confident leader who can build, motivate, retain, and lead a strong team of people who collaborate to achieve results; able to create an engaging environment that attracts and supports star performers with the ability to advance.
• Ability to work proactively, collaboratively, cooperatively, and as a member of a team, while empowering internal clients and colleagues and emphasizing accountability.

A professional history of maintaining objectivity while driving appropriate outcomes, managing multiple stakeholder agendas, and promoting high client service standards.
• Intellectually curious, quick thinking, conceptually nimble, and creative with the ability to analyze, interpret, present, and communicate complex ideas and concepts in a clear, concise fashion.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience with professionals and support staff, including a successful track record in management and people leadership with the capacity to lead and motivate colleagues and other leaders confronting change and increased expectations in a highly visible organization.
• Superior intellect, with the ability to think critically and effectively communicate well-reasoned decisions.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate (both orally and in written form) and interact effectively.
• Strong capabilities presenting to large and small audiences, significant decision maker, and employees.
• Ability to anticipate problems, resolve or work successfully with ambiguity, and take decisive action.
• High ethical standards, a strong moral compass, integrity, courage, and perseverance.

Division

Position Summary

Job Location: 

This position will be primarily based in the Washington D.C. office. ACS employees work a hybrid work schedule, consisting of working onsite, three days per week. ACS employees are in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday with the third in-office day scheduled in consultation with the manager. While always welcome to work in the office, employees may work the other two days of the week from a location of their choice. New employees are immediately eligible for this hybrid work arrangement. ACS offers relocation assistance, if applicable.

 

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