Chief Legal and Governance Officer / General Counsel (Legal Director) (Volunteer)

About the role

The Chief Legal and Governance Officer / General Counsel (Legal Director) serves as MAP’s primary legal advisor across all programs, initiatives, and partnerships. They provide guidance on nonprofit governance, fiduciary duties, and Board compliance. This role also includes drafting, reviewing, and advising on contracts, MOUs, partnership agreements, and vendor agreements, ensuring compliance with NYC, NYS, and federal nonprofit regulations. The Legal Director advises on child safety, mandatory reporting, confidentiality, and risk mitigation policies, supports the development and review of organizational bylaws, governance documents, and Board policies, and partners with HR leadership on employment, volunteer, and compliance matters. They also advise on data privacy, technology risk, and digital governance in collaboration with the Chief Technology & Innovation Officer (CTIO), support policy advocacy initiatives with legal analysis and guidance, identify legal risks and recommend preventative strategies and ethical safeguards, coordinate with pro bono counsel or external legal partners when needed, and communicate legal guidance clearly to non-legal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as MAP’s primary legal advisor across all programs, initiatives, and partnerships.
• Provide guidance on nonprofit governance, fiduciary duties, and Board compliance.
• Draft, review, and advise on contracts, MOUs, partnership agreements, and vendor agreements.
• Ensure compliance with NYC, NYS, and federal nonprofit regulations.
• Advise on child safety, mandatory reporting, confidentiality, and risk mitigation policies.
• Support development and review of organizational bylaws, governance documents, and Board policies.
• Partner with HR leadership on employment, volunteer, and compliance matters.
• Advise on data privacy, technology risk, and digital governance in collaboration with the CTIO.
• Support policy advocacy initiatives with legal analysis and guidance, as appropriate.
• Identify legal risks and recommend preventative strategies and ethical safeguards.
• Coordinate with pro bono counsel or external legal partners when needed.
• Communicate legal guidance clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
• Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours.
• Take responsibility for performance improvement by strengthening governance systems and clarity over time.

Requirements

This is a senior executive role that works closely with the Chief Executive leadership, Chief Program Officer, Chief Human Resources & Organizational Development Officer, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, and Board leadership. The Legal Director must have a JD and an active license to practice law (NY preferred, but not required). They should have senior experience in nonprofit law, governance, compliance, or legal leadership, a strong understanding of nonprofit governance, fiduciary responsibility, and risk management, excellent judgment, discretion, and communication skills, and a commitment to youth protection, ethical leadership, and organizational integrity.

Qualifications

• JD and active license to practice law (NY preferred, but not required).
• Senior experience in nonprofit law, governance, compliance, or legal leadership.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit governance, fiduciary responsibility, and risk management.
• Ability to balance legal rigor with compassion, equity, and practical guidance.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and communication skills.
• Commitment to youth protection, ethical leadership, and organizational integrity.

Bonus (Not Required)

• Experience with NYC-based nonprofits or youth-serving organizations.
• Background in labor/employment law, education law, or child welfare policy.
• Experience supporting Boards of Directors.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred).

Commitment & Boundaries

This is a volunteer role, approximately 6–10 hours per week. A minimum 6–12 month commitment is preferred. The role is hybrid: New York City and/or remote via Google Meet. MAP prioritizes sustainability, clarity, and ethical care over urgency.

Application Process

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist. For any additional questions or concerns, please email us directly at hr@mentorapromise.org.