Vice President of Legal Affairs

Closing Date: 18th September, 2025

Description:

Description:
Full-time position starting at $225,000 - $255,000 per year (D.O.E) with Competitive Benefits Include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account
• Generous PTO, paid sick time, 15 days of paid vacations, 13 days of paid holidays, plus a personal holiday
• CCS/CHS 403(b) Employee Saving Plan
• Employee assistance program

Position Summary:
The Vice President of Legal Affairs serves as in-house counsel for Catholic Community Services (CCS), the Archdiocesan Housing Authority (AHA) and the Catholic Charities Foundation (CCF), collectively referred to as CCSWW. This position oversees all legal matters pertaining to CCSWW, providing strategic legal in-house counsel to ensure risk management and compliance, contract management and negotiations, and all direct litigation and dispute resolutions. This is a senior executive role that involves high-level leadership and close collaboration with the CEO, COO, CFO, Vice President of Human Resources, the Board of Trustees, and all system/agency Vice Presidents and Directors.

Primary Responsibilities:
Strategic Legal Leadership and Counsel

• Serve as the primary in-house legal adviser on all major decisions, including governance, finance, compliance, regulations, risk management, and policy matters.
• Partner with leadership to develop and implement legal strategies that support CCSWW's business objectives.
• In conjunction with the CEO, manage operations as related to the Archdiocese of Seattle, ensuring compliance with church doctrines and teachings, and monitoring agency activities that may be in opposition to, or damaging for, the Archdiocese of Seattle.
• Develop and implement internal policies, procedures, and legal training programs to promote ethical decision-making and reduce disputes.
• Provide regular educational and informational trainings for staff and supervisors/managers on laws and regulations, internal policies, and best practices that affect their work, and develop other staff trainings as needed.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Identify potential legal issues and develop proactive strategies to mitigate or manage risk.
• Oversee CCSWW's adherence to all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Coordinate CCSWW's legal and regulatory compliance programs, identify potential legal issues and risks, and develop mitigation strategies.
• Design and enforce compliance programs, policy frameworks, and ethical guidelines to ensure good decision-making across CCSWW.
• Monitor and review major changes in laws and regulations, and governing documents that may affect CCSWW or its employees.
• Ensure adherence to corporate governance standards.

Contract Management and Negotiations

• Oversee the drafting, review, and negotiation of major contractual agreements, such as vendor contracts, partnership agreements, and licenses.
• Manage the company's contract administration processes to ensure compliance with internal policies and legal requirements.

Litigation Oversight

• Oversee all lawsuits and legal issues and, if appropriate, coordinate with outside counsel who represent the organization, as necessary. Serve as the primary liaison between CCSWW and outside counsel.
• Draft and manage all settlement strategies and documents.
• Represent the organization in responses to claims filed with investigations from federal, state, and local government entities such as, but not limited to, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Washington State Human Rights Commission, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, and the Office of Civil Rights, in conjunction with Agency/System leaders as appropriate.

Skills, Experience and Education

• Juris Doctor (j.D.) from An Accredited Law School.
• Active License to Practice Law in The State of Washington or In Any Jurisdiction of Untied States, as Long as The Candidate Is Eligible for A Limited License to Practice In-House in The State of Washington.
• A Minimum of 15+ Years of Relevant Experience, Including Law Firms and In-House Roles.
• Ample Experience in Complex Litigation, Dispute Resolutions, and Contract Negotiations.
• Proven Experience in Employment and Labor Law, Corporate Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance.
• Excellent Written and Verbal Communication Skills.
• Outstanding Negotiation, Problem-Solving, and Decision-Making Skills.
• High Level of Business Acumen and Strategic Thinking.
• Discretion and The Ability to Maintain Confidentiality.
• General Knowledge of The Catholic Church and Ccsww's Relationship With/to the Archdiocese of Seattle.
• Understand Catholic Social Teachings and Cscww's Mission and Values of Serving Individuals, Children, Families, and Communities Struggling with Poverty and The Effects of Intolerance and Racism.

Preferred:

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