Description:

Description:
VP - Senior Counsel
Full-Time
Remote
The VP - Senior Counsel serves as the principal legal advisor for the day-to-day operations of Conifer's asset management and property management lines of business — designing enterprise-wide risk frameworks, navigating affordable housing regulatory requirements, and protecting the company from systemic liabilities. Working closely with the Chief Legal Officer and cross-functional teams in Asset Management, Property Management and Corporate Office functions, the successful candidate will be a trusted, highly responsive, and solutions-oriented legal partner.

The main areas of legal activity requiring expertise:

Contract Architecture & Vendor Management

Establish enterprise-level contract standards, templates, and standard operating procedures for high-value vendor partnerships, technology platforms, and asset-level and property-level services across the portfolio
Negotiate enterprise agreements, master service agreements (MSAs), and strategic vendor contracts, ensuring favorable indemnity, liability limits, insurance, and data protection provisions
Streamline the commercial contract lifecycle across all operational divisions to balance business speed with sound risk protection

Regulatory Compliance & Government Relations

Formulate proactive compliance strategies to navigate evolving municipal, state, and federal real estate mandates, affordable housing program rules, environmental laws, and consumer protection requirements
Advise on affordable housing regulatory frameworks including LIHTC regulatory agreements, HUD requirements, and state and local housing authority (HFA) rules affecting the portfolio
Act as a primary legal interface with local and state regulatory agencies, housing authorities, building departments, and elected officials on zoning interpretations, municipal compliance, and enforcement actions
Interpret the business impact of emerging regulatory trends and implement policy changes to reduce corporate exposure

Fair Housing, Civil Rights & Accessibility

Oversee the investigation and resolution of Fair Housing, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and civil rights or discrimination complaints across the portfolio
Partner with operational leaders to draft and audit enterprise-wide accessibility policies and anti-discrimination frameworks, including reasonable accommodation and modification procedures
Represent the organization, or direct specialized counsel, in administrative audits and investigations by agencies such as HUD, state HFAs, and civil rights commissions

Litigation Management & Risk Assessment

Oversee the company's operational litigation portfolio — general liability, and commercial matters — to identify systemic operational vulnerabilities
Direct outside litigation counsel, define defense and settlement strategies, approve major filings, manage legal spend, and provide regular status updates to the CLO
Conduct routine corporate risk assessments across all business lines and deploy mitigation programs to minimize corporate liability

People & Culture
Review and advise on HR-related policies as they relate to multi-state staff and applicable employment law, in coordination with People & Culture and the CLO

Requirements:
Experience:

Minimum eight (8+) years of law firm or in-house legal experience, including experience in a corporate in-house operations role
Deep, high-level understanding of real estate operational mechanics, commercial insurance structures, and systemic regulatory risks
Experience working with affordable housing regulatory frameworks (LIHTC, HUD, state HFA / housing authority programs) is strongly preferred
Demonstrated success navigating sensitive investigations, dealing with regulatory bodies, and interfacing effectively with public officials
Prior in-house counsel experience in a property management, real estate, or affordable housing environment is preferred
Proficient in legal research and writing, with the ability to make practical, business-focused recommendations
Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Outlook)

Education:

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited U.S. law school
Active member in good standing of a state bar; admission in NY, NJ, MD, PA, VA, and/or CO is a plus

Attributes Required

Effective Communicator — Able to Translate Complex Legal Matters Into Clear, Actionable Guidance for Non-Legal Staff
Demonstrated Ability to Manage a High Volume of Matters with Strong Organizational and Time Management Skills
Solutions-Oriented with A Proactive, Hands-On Approach to Legal Support
Flexible — Able to Prioritize Competing Demands, Address Issues as They Arise, and Adapt Quickly when Needed
Exercises Sound Business Judgment and Professionalism at All Times
Resourceful; Effective Research and Problem-Solving Skills, Able to "think Outside the Box"
Able to Work Both Independently and Collaboratively as Part of A Geographically Distributed Team
Positive, Outgoing Attitude Toward Colleagues, Residents, and Third Parties

Salary Description
$225,000.00 - $260,000.00