Position: Vice President, General Counsel at Nonprofit Finance Fund
Location: Remote, but must reside within commutable distance to NFF offices in Boston, New York, or Philadelphia, and be able to be in person for staff activities.
About NFF
For more than 40 years, NFF works to strengthen nonprofits and improve the way money flows to support social good. This is done by providing nonprofits with access to capital, strategic financial consulting, and advocacy. These activities support our partners as they advance community health, wealth and well-being. As a nationally certified CDFI, our lending and consulting business reaches organizations across the country. In 2024, we closed 37 loans totaling $90MM. In the same year, NFF supported 189 clients with over 25,000 hours of consulting engagements. You can learn more about our work by reading about our Values and Theory of Change. Our team is diverse and passionate about NFF\'s mission. You can read more about what it’s like to work here – and read a few examples of “a day in the life” for NFF staff – on the careers page of our website.
Thank you for your interest in NFF. We hope you’ll join us.
The Opportunity
The Vice President, General Counsel oversees and manages the provision of all legal services to NFF to ensure maximum protection of its legal rights and to maintain its operations. This position provides strategic guidance, consultation, and support to the leadership team and advises on a comprehensive range of legal and associated issues involved in carrying out the mission of the organization.
While this role engages in general enterprise & governance matters, the core focus is oversight of all legal aspects of our financing and lending operations. The majority of NFF loan closings and documentation are prepared in-house by the General Counsel team. Therefore, this role plays a vital part in assuring borrower loan documents are accurate, state-specific, and comply with lending guidelines. The ideal candidate has knowledge of CDFI financial regulations, lending laws, and corporate governance.
The Vice President, General Counsel reports to the Chief Operating Officer and works closely with the Chief Credit Officer, Vice President of Lending, and underwriting team with minimal supervision. The Vice President supervises external counsel (paid and pro bono), internal administrative staff (2 FTEs), and consults on difficult or sensitive issues. This role is a contributing member of NFF’s Leadership Team. This is a US-based remote position within commutable distance to NFF’s offices in Boston, New York, or Philadelphia, with potential travel up to 15%.
What You’ll Do
CDFI & Lending
- Advises leadership on legal and regulatory matters affecting nonprofit lending and community development finance.
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, loan documents, loan modifications, renewals and extensions, and participation agreements; manage external counsel.
- Advise on structuring loan transactions and the organization’s ability to recover funds from various sources of collateral.
- Ensure compliance with federal and state financial regulations, including those specific to CDFIs and CDEs; monitor updates from the CDFI Fund and federal government that impact our status as a CDFI.
- Review and negotiate loan agreements, PRIs, guaranty agreements, and other documents related to capitalization efforts and funding sources.
- Select and retain outside paid and pro bono counsel as needed for opinions, claims, or litigation.
- Monitor changes in laws and regulations relevant to nonprofit finance and lending.
- In collaboration with the Chief Credit Officer, provide legal advice on loan workouts and borrower defaults; manage outside counsel for litigation to recover loaned funds (e.g., foreclosure, asset seizure, wage garnishment).
Enterprise
- Manage litigation involving the organization in areas such as commercial, labor and employment, and other enterprise-level matters.
- Develop and manage relationships with external counsel.
- Collaborate with the executive team to develop, review, and implement internal policies to mitigate legal risks.
- Review contracts, leases, and other legal documents; research legal issues and recommend revisions as necessary.
- Work with the Chief Financial Officer to manage budget and spending on outside counsel.
Governance
- Draft, review, and approve board resolutions, bylaws, and governance-related matters.
Who You Are
Required Skills & Experience
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
- Licensed to practice in the U.S., with a preference for New York State bar admission (or candidate may be admitted within 6 months of accepting role).
- 10+ years of legal experience, preferably in or with CDFIs, commercial lending, or real estate lending.
- Strong understanding of lending laws and CDFI regulatory frameworks and programs.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and leadership skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong time-management and organizational abilities.
- Self-starter with the ability to work with limited supervision.
- Team player with willingness to collaborate across departments to achieve organizational objectives.
- Client-service focused with an aptitude for resolving issues efficiently and constructively.
- Ability to analyze and solve complex legal issues.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; Salesforce preferred.
- Support advancing NFF’s mission through innovation and internal/external brand development.
- Knowledge of tax-exempt organizational law and LLCs.
- Lead with a commitment to and application of NFF Values.
Preferred Skills & Experience
- Experience closing or managing New Markets Tax Credit investments.
- Experience in energy efficiency, affordable housing, and related programs.
- Construction lending expertise.
- Knowledge of other corporate structures is helpful, even though NFF primarily works with nonprofit and governmental agencies.
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $190,000 - $210,000. If offered, compensation will be based on relevant skills and experience, with consideration for internal equity. NFF offers a comprehensive benefits package including up to 18 paid holidays, 3 floating holidays, unlimited vacation, health insurance with a funded health reimbursement account, retirement plan with employer match and non-match contributions, a work-from-home fund, and flexible spending accounts for medical, commuter, and childcare costs.
Please Note All salaries are commensurate with experience and include a competitive benefits package.
NFF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or military or veteran status, in accordance with applicable federal law. NFF complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination and provides reasonable accommodations where required. NFF does not employ individuals based outside of the United States.
This job posting provides a general list of essential responsibilities and qualifications for this position. It does not represent a contract of employment and NFF reserves the right to modify the description and/or posting at any time without notice.
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