Policy & Compliance Attorney

Description:

Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA):
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) is committed to serving the entire spectrum of housing, from homelessness to homeownership.  Our charge is to provide housing opportunities, promote self-sufficiency and strengthen communities, to build an Indiana with a sustainable quality of life for all Hoosiers in the community of their choice.  To learn more about IHCDA visit us at www.in.gov/ihcda.

Role Overview:
The Policy and Compliance Attorney supports the IHCDA mission by offering legal guidance to staff across various programs and ensuring compliance with applicable rules and regulations established by state, local, and federal agencies.

This role serves as the organization's chief legislative strategist and primary liaison to state and federal policymakers. This role leads the development and execution of legislative and regulatory strategy, advances the organization's public policy agenda, and safeguards funding and programmatic interests. The Policy and Compliance Attorney builds and sustains high-level relationships with elected officials, executive branch offices, agency leaders, industry partners, and housing stakeholders. The role provides executive-level policy analysis, oversees constituent and legislative inquiry processes, and ensures cross-functional alignment between legislative priorities and program operations. The position oversees complaints received by the agency and ensures IHCDA is compliant with regulations in implementing programs.

Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $67,314.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

A day in the life:
Legislative Strategy and Analysis

• Develop and execute IHCDA's state and federal legislative agenda.
• Advise Executive Leadership on policy priorities and strategic positioning.
• Represent IHCDA before legislative committees, working groups, and regulatory bodies.
• Lead legislative response efforts, including outside counsel engagement and coordination of agency responses to legislative and regulatory proposals.
• Prepare and oversee testimony, position statements, bill amendments, and executive briefing materials that include impact assessments and strategic recommendations.
• Monitor and interpret state and federal legislation, appropriations, and regulatory developments to analyze the legal and policy implications and ensure ongoing compliance.
• Partner with internal divisions to assess programmatic and fiscal impacts.

Constituent Inquiries

• Oversee intake, triage, and response to legislative and constituent inquiries.
• Ensure consumer complaints involving IHCDA are addressed and resolved.
• Serve as escalation point for elected official requests.
• Ensure timely, accurate communication with policymakers and staff.
• Maintain weekly inquiry reporting and trend analysis.

Stakeholder Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with members of the Indiana House and Senate and other local, State and federal elected officials.
• Serve as primary legislative liaison for housing-related policy.
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships aligned with policy priorities.
• Collaborate with Outreach Team to align public-facing messaging with legislative strategy.

Core Legal Services

• Review federal grant agreements and sub-recipient contracts to verify adherence to federal requirements.
• Conduct legal research, interpret laws and policies, and provide informed legal advice related to agency operations.
• Ensure timely compliance with the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), including reviewing and redacting documents prior to release and making determinations on information disclosure in consultation with the General Counsel as needed.
• In partnership with the Lead Contract Attorney, draft and review contracts and related agreements, negotiating terms as appropriate.
• In partnership with the Lead Real Estate Attorney, draft or review documents in foreclosure proceedings involving properties in which IHCDA has an interest. Assist with reviewing notes, mortgages, subordination agreements, and other loan documents as needed.
• Provide general legal support in coordination with the General Counsel as requested by staff.
• This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

• Strategic & political acumen
• Executive-level communication
• Policy analysis & legislative interpretation
• Relationship management & coalition building
• High-level judgement & discretion
• Organizational alignment & cross-functional leadership
• Public service orientation
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Proficiency in legal research
• Proactive in identifying potential issues with projects or processes and communicating accordingly
• Ability to independently manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Professionalism in handling sensitive and delicate situations (e.g., collection of funds from partners)
• Capacity to quickly assess issues related to multiple state and federal programs
• Effective communication skills with individuals from various backgrounds, education levels, and economic circumstances
• Initiative-driven with minimal supervision required
• Skilled in prioritizing, organizing tasks and time, and ensuring follow-up
• Efficient and timely execution of responsibilities
• Capable of managing multiple requests and deadlines simultaneously

Required Qualifications:

• License to practice law in the State of Indiana.
• A minimum of three years of prior legal or legislative experience.
• Direct experience with state legislative processes Demonstrated success in policy analysis and strategic legislative engagement.
• Strong executive communication and public speaking skills.
• Valid Indiana driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Undergraduate or graduate educational with a major, concentration, or academic certificate in Public Policy, Public Affairs, Political Science, Communications, or a related field.
• Experience in housing finance, community development, housing policy, real estate law, or federal or state grant administration and compliance.
• Familiarity with HUD, USDA Rural Development, VA, or federal housing funding streams.
• Relationship management experience with Indiana legislators and executive branch offices.
• Experience working with governmental or public finance entities.
• Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

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