Feeding America - General Counsel

Chicago, IL

Description:

• We are a national, nonprofit organization and the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, our mission is to feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger.
• The Chief of Staff and General Counsel will be responsible for working closely with the CEO to set strategic priorities and effectively manage the CEO’s time ensuring highest and best use in service of Feeding America’s mission and ensuring the efficient operation of the executive office. The Chief of Staff and General Counsel will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of board development and governance. This role will also be responsible for directing Feeding America’s legal affairs. The Chief of Staff & General Council will serve as a member of the Executive Team.

Duties:

• Chief of Staff
• Work with the CEO and other leaders to set strategic priorities for the CEO’s time and identify areas where the CEO should direct their focus. Working with the administrative support team, strategically manage the CEO’s calendar building long-term meeting and plans, assessing their fit against priorities.
• Ensure the CEOs' involvement in project or decision-making processes takes place at key times, where their input and authority are most needed. Coordinate access to the CEO with key internal and external stakeholders maintaining positive relationships and ensuring stakeholders feel valued and heard.
• Communicate directly, and on behalf of the CEO, with Board members, donors, Foundation staff, and others on matters related to the Office of the CEO. Attend key meetings and special events with the CEO, both on and off-site and represent the CEO at key meetings and events when required.
• Prepare the CEO for upcoming meetings by ensuring they have all the information necessary to be productive and engaged. Capture takeaways from meetings, identify key themes and implications for the CEO’s consideration. Ensure follow-up with relevant stakeholders as needed.
• Work directly with the CEO to plan, coordinate and conduct meetings of the Executive Team. Work with the Chief Human Resources Officer to plan, coordinate and conduct meetings of the Senior Management Group. Communicate with participants, ensuring objectives and agenda items are published in advance, materials needed to support key decisions are shared, and follow-up items are completed in a timely fashion.
• Conduct outreach to other national organizations and organize convenings on behalf of the CEO. Make high-level contacts of a complex and confidential nature both inside and outside the organization.
• Research, explore and develop new opportunities as requested by the CEO. Synthesize data, draft proposals, write reports and respond to requests for information, including answering complex inquiries requiring detailed knowledge of organizational strategies, policies and priorities.
• Board Governance
• Direct the development of a plan for the board and its respective committees for each fiscal year, including focus areas and key decisions that will guide the design of each board engagement throughout the year and oversee the implementation of that plan.
• Direct the development of board agendas for quarterly board meetings with an emphasis on generative discussion and clear board actions. Ensure the EVP & COO, CFO and CHRO are engaged to incorporate the priorities and progress of various board committees into the design of board agendas.
• Work with the CEO to develop agendas for monthly call between board chair and CEO ensuring the supporting materials are available.
• Oversee the design and execution of strategic retreats to help the board reassess vision and mission, evaluate and establish outcomes, understand and help shape key strategies.
• General Counsel
• Serve as the top legal officer for the organization providing legal advice and counsel, engaging external counsel as needed for support.
• Direct the development and implementation of policies and procedures that ensure organizational compliance with best practices related to trademark registration and protection, third-party contractual arrangements and other legal matters.
• Oversee Feeding America’s supplier diversity program.

Requirements:

• BA/BS and a JD degree or relevant experience
• Significant experience working in complex administrative roles (chief of staff or similar role) working directly for a CEO or other C-Suite leader
• Foundational Competencies
• Mission Focused - Embodies Feeding America’s mission to end hunger and brings the mission to life through words and actions. Sets organizational vision and strategy keeping people facing hunger at the center. Makes organizational and strategic decisions focused broadly on what is best for our shared mission.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Demonstrates a commitment to an organization that values different backgrounds and life experiences through word and action. Builds culture and process to ensure that everyone can bring their authentic self to work and feels welcome and valued. Builds equity into vision, strategy and operating goals focused on our employees and the communities we serve. Builds equity into structure, systems and processes for our employees and the communities we serve. Committed to continuous personal EDI development and shares personal journey openly with others to support organization and individual growth.

For more information, click here.