Vice President, General Counsel

Summary

Join NFF as the Vice President, General Counsel, overseeing all legal services to ensure maximum protection of its legal rights and maintain operations. This strategic role provides guidance and support to the leadership team, advising on legal and associated issues. The core focus is overseeing legal aspects of financing and lending operations, ensuring accurate and compliant loan documents. The position reports to the COO and works closely with other key leaders. The role involves supervising legal staff and external counsel, directing performance objectives, and contributing to the Leadership Team. This is a remote US-based position with potential travel.

Requirements

• You have a Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• You have a minimum of 10 years of legal experience , preferably in or working with CDFIs and/or lending sector
• You are l icensed to practice law with a preference for New York State bar admittance
• You possess a s trong understanding of CDFI lending laws and regulatory frameworks
• You have e xcellent negotiation, communication, and leadership skills
• You have e xcellent written and oral communications and interpersonal skills
• You possess s trong time-management and organizational abilities
• You are a s elf-starter with the ability to work with limited supervision and collaborate with colleagues
• You are Client service focused, with an aptitude for resolving issues in an efficient and constructive manner
• You have the a bility to analyze and solve complex legal issues
• You have a dvanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (required), Salesforce (preferred)
• You will s upport advanc ing NFF ’ s mission through innovation and advancement of organizational brand internally and externally
• You have knowledge of tax-exempt organizational law and LLCs
• You l ead with a commitment to and application of NFF Values

Responsibilities

• Advises leadership on legal and regulatory matters affecting nonprofit lending and community development finance
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, loan documents, and participation agreements and also manage external counsel to do the same
• Ensure compliance with federal and state financial regulations, including those specific to CDFIs and CDEs
• Review and negotiate organization’s loan agreements, PRIs, guaranty agreements
• Select and retain outside paid and pro bono counsel, as required, to obtain legal opinions or to handle claims and litigation
• Monitor changes in laws and regulations relevant to nonprofit finance and lending
• In collaboration with the Chief Credit Officer, provides legal advice on activities related to loan workouts and borrower default/delinquencies
• Manages litigation, disputes, and relationships with external counsel
• Collaborates with the executive team to develop, review and implement internal policies to mitigate legal risks
• Review organization’s contracts, leases, and other legal documents; research legal issues and recommend revisions as necessary
• Drafts, reviews and approves board resolutions, bylaws and other governance related matters

Preferred Qualifications

• You havce experience closing or managing New Markets Tax Credit investments
• You have experience in energy efficiency, affordable housing, and other emerging programs
• You have construction lending expertise
• While NFF works primarily with nonprofit and governmental agencies, knowledge of other corporate structures is helpful

Benefits

• Up to 18 paid holidays
• 3 floating holidays
• Unlimited vacation time off
• Health insurance with a NFF funded health reimbursement account
• Employer match and non-match contributions toward a retirement plan
• A “work from home” fund
• Flexible spending accounts that cover medical, commuter, and childcare costs