Vice President of Legal and Compliance Services and General Counsel

Vice President of Legal and Compliance Services and General Counsel

Join to apply for the Vice President of Legal and Compliance Services and General Counsel role at Unidos

US (@We Are Unidos US)

Unidos

US (formerly NCLR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that serves as the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Founded in 1968, we challenge the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos through expert research, advocacy, programs, and an affiliate network of more than 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico. We believe in an America where economic, political, and social progress is a reality for all Latinos and collaborate across communities to achieve it.

Reporting to the CFO, the Vice President of Legal & Compliance Services and General Counsel serves as the organization’s senior legal and compliance advisor, providing expert legal counsel and strategic guidance to the Board of Directors, Audit Committee, and executive leadership. The role demands a deep understanding of laws governing tax‑exempt organizations (501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6)) and the ability to translate that knowledge into clear, actionable advice that aligns with Unidos

US’s mission, strategy, and goals.

This position proactively identifies legal risks and offers solutions to mitigate them, potentially saving the organization from costly litigation and regulatory fines. It requires collaboration with the CEO, COO, CFO, and other top executives to align legal strategies with organizational objectives.

Location: Hybrid – Washington, DC (onsite at least two days per week).
Salary: $270,000–$300,000.

• Lead a centralized internal legal and compliance function, establishing matrixed processes and governing policies that require departmental consultation for all procurement, contracts, legal agreements, subpoenas, and litigation matters.
• Provide expert legal advice and strategic guidance to Board, Audit Committee, and executive team on complex legal, governance, regulatory, compliance, program, and advocacy matters.
• Maintain relationships with reputable law firms and legal professionals specialized in tax‑exempt, employment, political and lobbying, federal grant, contracting, procurement, and fundraising law.
• Demonstrate enterprise‑wide collaboration, communication, conflict resolution, time management, and cross‑functional teamwork within a matrixed structure.
• Ensure compliance with IRS regulations, legal agreements, OMB guidance, governing documents, and all applicable laws and internal policies.
• Oversee procurement of goods and services, contracting, outbound and inbound grant agreements, and solicitation of funds in partnership with Resource Development.
• Collaborate with the Audit Committee to bolster enterprise risk management, crisis management, and risk mitigation.
• Lead pre‑litigation and litigation activities, including preparation for court proceedings, negotiation, settlement discussions, and trial advocacy.
• Strategically respond to subpoenas, information requests, depositions, testimonies, and investigations.
• Maintain the organization’s document retention policy and support business continuity and disaster recovery programs.
• Manage insurance coverage needs, including coverage limits, deductibles, and premium negotiations.

• Juris Doctor with strong academic record, active DC bar membership, and ability to practice in the District of Columbia.
• At least 15 years of experience in tax‑exempt/non‑profit law, including in‑house, firm, or governmental roles, with hands‑on litigation experience.
• Minimum 10 years of experience leading and managing professional legal staff within a nonprofit matrixed structure.
• Extensive knowledge of federal grants, contracts, civil rights, enterprise risk management, and procurement law.
• Experience advising on program, policy, advocacy, legislative affairs, and regulatory/tax compliance matters.
• Experience negotiating procurement contracts and grant agreements.
• Proficiency in preparing presentations, reports, and documentation for the Board and senior leadership.
• Exp…