POSITION SUMMARY:

The In House Legal Counsel, who will report to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will be an integral member of the leadership team, responsible for providing practical, business-oriented legal advice to appropriately manage risk, ensure regulatory and legal compliance and consistency across operations and legal documentation, resolve disputes, and when necessary, manage outside legal counsel. The position will be a hands-on, business-facing role with primary responsibility for reviewing and drafting contracts, identifying legal and business risks, and communicating clearly with non-legal stakeholders while maintaining appropriate legal protections.   

Adhere to PACT values. (Purpose: Using our strengths passionately to contribute to our mission. Accountability: Choosing to rise above one’s circumstances and demonstrating ownership to achieve results. See It. Own It. Solve It. Do It. Courage: Standing up for what’s right and acting. Transparency: Doing things openly and honestly).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1.  Legal Operations: 

• Maintain legal and contract records and support the development of contract templates, standard terms and conditions, operating procedures, and legal processes.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for coordination with outside counsel, including legal support from both pro bono law firms, and when necessary, compensated law firms, and coordinate with outside co-general counsel law firms.
• Advise the Board of Directors on corporate governance, fiduciary duties, and conflict-of-interest policies in coordination with outside co-general counsel law firms.
• Monitor changes in federal and state legislation affecting the non-profit sector and update internal policies accordingly.

2. Contract Management: 

• Independently draft, review, negotiate, and manage a broad range of commercial agreements, including sales, procurement, vendor, service, NDA, EPC, MOU, and other contracts.
• Review and advise on grant agreements.

3. Risk Management: 

• Identify and assess key legal, compliance, and business risks and provide proactive, clear, practical recommendations to business stakeholders.
• Provide practical solutions that balance legal risk while moving the organization forward with respect to its strategic initiatives. 
• Apply working knowledge of state and federal regulatory requirements when providing guidance and recommendations related to internal policies, procurement procedures, documentation and data management practices, and other operating matters. 
• Maintain the organization's tax-exempt status by ensuring compliance with IRS regulations and state charity bureau requirements. 

4. Business Partnership: 

• Collaborate with the executive team and senior leadership to provide practical legal support and resolve contractual and business issues.
• Build trusted relationships across HFB and CORE by Houston Food Bank as appropriate.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

May lead or manage one or more direct/indirect reports by providing guidance and/or oversight to employees and/or contractors, including non-legal personnel. Develop and maintain roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Practice performance management in support of employee development and perform administrative duties associated with being a people manager. Responsibilities include interviewing, planning, assigning, directing work, resolving legal and non-legal problems, and sponsoring, participating in, and/or supporting project teams sponsored by other management team members.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA)
• Minimum of 8 years of legal experience with prior in-house experience or significant exposure to non-profit, tax-exempt, or corporate or other commercial law and working knowledge of IRS regulations for non-profits, contract law, and employment standards.
• Strongly preferred: Experience in Master Services Agreements (MSAs), Long-Term Service Agreements (LTSAs), Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts, equipment supply agreements, or other project-based commercial contracts.
• High ethical standards, discretion, and alignment with the mission and values of the non-profit sector.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

• Admitted to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (must be admitted or admission pending in Texas) and in good standing
• No prior disbarments or major disciplinary actions with any applicable State bar
• Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and insurance

Special Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (For best performance, the job holder in this position would be expected to show the right knowledge, skills, and abilities in the listed areas.)

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including but not limited to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and virtual meeting platforms (i.e., Zoom, Teams) 
• Ability to translate legal concepts into practical business recommendations
• Keen attention to detail and excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to succeed in a matrix team environment
• Ability to influence others through outstanding interpersonal skills, collaboration, and negotiation skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage routine contract matters independently, identify material risks, and exercise sound judgment on when to escalate
• Strong legal drafting, analytical, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability to think strategically, negotiate skillfully, digest complex details, and use sound judgment and initiative in making decisions
• Possess solid prioritization and time management skills 

COMPLIANCE:

Carries out responsibilities in accordance with HFB policies. Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, including health and safety regulations, food safety standards, and Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), USDA, and FDA, as well as grant and/or other funding requirements.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (For best performance, the jobholder in this position would be expected to show the right knowledge, skills, and abilities in the listed areas.)

COMPETENCIES:

Cultivates Innovation / Instill Trust / Drives Engagement / Situational Adaptability / Balance Stakeholders / Strategic Agility / Strategic Mindset / Builds Networks / Builds Effective Teams / Financial Acumen / Drives Vision & Purpose / Demonstrates Self Awareness 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required daily to analyze and interpret data, communicate, and remain in a standing or stationary position for a significant amount of the workday, and often access, input, and retrieve information from the computer and other office productivity devices. The employee must regularly move about the office and around the facility, use hands, wrists, and fingers to grip, type, and write. The employee must frequently lift > 10 pounds. The employee will need to have the average ability to hear horns, warnings, and alerts associated with a warehouse. The Employee is occasionally required to travel to other sites for business.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While the job is generally performed in an enclosed office environment, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, areas in which moving mechanical parts, fumes, strong food-related smells, and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the office environment is typically quiet, but the employee will be exposed to loud/elevated noises throughout the workday.

TRAVEL REQUIRED:

Travel is required for this position up to 5 % of the time locally to HFB locations or for training. 

This role supports hours of operations at the Houston Food Bank facilities, and may require flexibility (e.g., times of disaster, community events, company events).

*Is legally able to work in the United States.