General Counsel

ABOUT SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) is a regional catalyst, connector, and collaborator. We bring together the resources and skills of donors, business, government, and community to solve some of our region’s toughest challenges. We promote philanthropy in our region and support philanthropists to invest with impact. Through advocacy, research, policy and grantmaking, we seek systemic solutions to drive enduring community change. Learn more at svcf.org.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

This is a full-time, exempt level position in Mountain View, California.

HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE

SVCF’s work environment is based on a holistic wellness approach and therefore, has embraced a hybrid remote/office work environment. All SVCF team members must be based and hold residency in California and must be able to regularly attend team and staff meetings, trainings and other gatherings in Mountain View when required.

JOB SUMMARY

The General Counsel is a member of the Foundation’s Executive Leadership Team, and reports to the President and CEO. The General Counsel role is critical to helping the Foundation structure donor and grant agreements, as SVCF is the recipient of large and complex gifts, and makes similarly complex grants locally and around the world. The position is also charged with ensuring that SVCF remains in compliance with relevant laws, IRS regulations and contract agreements. This role requires a solutions-oriented and creative thinker with extensive legal expertise, discretion, judgment and a passion for SVCF's mission.

The General Counsel functions as in-house legal counsel to SVCF’s Board, executive leadership team, and other team members on legal and risk management issues relating to general business practices and foundation matters. This position manages a range of complex contractual, litigation, tax, regulatory, compliance matters and assists with Foundation governance policies and practices. The General Counsel also works with SVCF’s supporting organizations to ensure compliance with applicable laws and the Foundation’s policies and operational procedures. The General Counsel will be able to forecast, identify and assess legal risks while simultaneously providing pragmatic, solutions-focused guidance that balances risk mitigation with organizational goals.

The General Counsel must maintain high standards of ethics, integrity and confidentiality at all times due to the General Counsel's access to highly sensitive information.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working on internal “deal teams,” facilitating fund modifications, estate settlements and gifts of complex appreciated assets, such as stock and real estate, and closely held business interests and other illiquid assets; managing the process for administration and sale of such assets


• In conjunction with the Philanthropic Partnerships team and the CFO, overseeing SVCF’s planned giving program – especially legal and contractual issues associated with bequests and the like


• Ensure compliance on all grantmaking, including legal issues associated with international grantmaking; keep abreast of all relevant federal and state laws and regulations


• Developing and managing contracts with vendors, consultants, philanthropic support arrangements and grants awarded to SVCF from external funders, which include local and national foundations and local, state and federal governmental entities, that provide funds to support the SVCF’s community change leadership initiatives


• Ensuring processes and procedures are in place for excellence in enterprise risk management practices by identifying potential areas of risk across the organization and considering strategies to mitigate identifiable risks; this includes ensuring compliance with applicable laws, maintenance of adequate insurance coverage, and development and implementation of sound business process management practice


• Serving as in-house counsel on legal issues as they affect current and prospective clients/donors (including fund agreement development, legacy fulfillment, and gifts of complex assets)


• Ensuring fiduciary duties of SVCF are properly executed; this includes assisting the President/CEO with governance support in managing and revising SVCF’s by-laws and committee charters as needed


• Supporting and staffing SVCF’s Board Governance Committee, and participating in Audit Committee meetings, and the like


• Developing ongoing expertise in, and remaining current on legal, tax, accounting, investment and risk management issues relevant to SVCF and the activities/initiatives the Foundation is currently involved in or is considering undertaking


• Managing a team, currently consisting of two attorneys and a legal assistant


• Partnering with the Executive Team on risk implications of shifts in strategy


• Coordinating work with all outside counsel


• Other related duties as assigned.

The responsibilities outlined in this job description are not meant to be all-inclusive and are subject to change. Employees are expected to be flexible and adaptable, performing other related duties as needed to meet the organization’s evolving goals and priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIRED SKILLS

• J.D. with a minimum of 15 years of senior or relevant legal experience with active Bar status; a professional concentration in the area of trusts and estates would be beneficial


• Experience with laws applicable to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations including governance, contract, grant agreements and other day-to-day matters


• Comfort exercising strategic judgment to help navigate complex legal situations to further the organization's mission


• Proven track record of excellent management and supervisory skills and experience


• Awareness of when outside counsel is needed, and having a network to tap for additional expertise


• Advanced research skills, including the ability to highlight and prioritize information that is truly material


• Demonstrate and promote appropriate risk tolerance in alignment with the Board’s direction


• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with persons across diverse backgrounds


• Experience in communicating in a persuasive and reflective manner, in person, in digital settings and in writing and presentations; ability to explain complex topics in simple terms


• Effective and respectful negotiation skills, resulting in mutually beneficial agreements between or among parties


• Professional writing and verbal communication skills


• Solid analytical and evaluative skills


• Ability to learn quickly and respond/react to changing priorities


• Responsiveness to a wide variety of constituents, including the Executive Team, the Development and Donor Services teams, donors and the Board


• Proficient at managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously in an organized and flexible fashion with a dedication to the timely completion of required tasks


• Effective at presenting to diverse stakeholders and audiences through public speaking


• Capable of exercising good judgment when it comes to problem-solving, setting priorities, and decision making


• Able to work both independently as a self-starter and in a team environment with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail


• Understanding and adherence to high standards of ethics and confidentiality

Additionally, the successful candidate will likely have:

• A passion for community philanthropy


• Knowledge of relevant laws governing nonprofit organizations


• Strong operational and implementation experience, demonstrated through positions that require action, rather than the provision of counsel

SALARY AND BENEFITS

SVCF is committed to offering competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. The target hiring range for this position is $525,000 to $575,000 per year based on experience, credentials and internal salary equity.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes generous medical, dental, and vision plans; paid time off; holidays and employer contribution and matching to a 403(b) retirement plan.

HOW TO APPLY

All applications are held in strict confidence. Please submit your credentials and a letter of interest through our private applicant portal to The 360 Group at:

https://app.crelate.com/portal/the360group/job/f9znchncoeydqszax6oqdte9jo

Applications should be directed to the attention of Vincent Robinson, Managing Partner or Monica Rodgers, Senior Consultant. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Earlier applicants may receive priority consideration. To be considered, The 360 Group encourages all interested candidates to submit their applications promptly, via the confidential applicant portal linked above.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent in this position.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSION

Silicon Valley Community Foundation has a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and equal opportunity.  We are committed to building a team that is representative of our community. 

SVCF is an equal opportunity employer.  Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, political affiliation, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

SVCF is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.  As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.  If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions, of employment, please contact [email protected].  Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format and/or using specialized equipment.