Chief Legal Officer/General Counsel

About the role

This key leadership position serves as the General Counsel for the Indianapolis Housing Agency. This position is responsible for the general administration and management of the Indianapolis Housing Agency’s legal department. This position will oversee all legal functions for the Indianapolis Housing Agency and manage the agency’s in-house legal staff and outside legal counsel.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary representative for all civil rights matters, including reviews, reports, and compliance.
• Attends meetings with public officials, outside counsel, and consultants to support the goals and objectives of IHA; attends depositions, mediations, arbitrations, and negotiations as required.
• Prepares legal documents such as contracts, leases, petitions, MOUs, appeals, memoranda of law, and other legal notices; prepares monthly reports for the CEO and Board of Commissioners to review; and prepares correspondence on behalf of and for the CEO on IHA legal matters.
• Represents the Authority at HUD-sponsored events and participates in developing policy changes that affect public housing.
• Provides legal advice on behalf of IHA in negotiating real estate development and acquisition projects.
• Handles non-routine situations and recommends solutions or the best course of action for the CEO and staff.
• Supervises designated personnel regarding performance management, time management, job assignments, scheduling, disciplinary actions, promotions, hiring recommendations, training, and attendance responsibilities.
• Participates in IHA's nonprofit affiliate, Insight Development Corporation (IDC), governing structure as a member of the Board of Directors.
• Reviews all legislative and administrative regulations from funding government bodies and makes recommendations to the CEO.
• Directs the eviction process, assuring appropriate preparation, issuance, and coordination of all evictions.
• Represents the IHA and/or serves as hearing officer at housing grievances when necessary.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school. Must be in good standing and licensed to practice law in Indiana's Federal and State courts.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in real estate finance, litigation, and transactional matters within a civil, public, or corporate legal setting.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in Housing agency legal experience and mixed-finance housing transactions or related field and preferred background in municipal bond financing and/or mortgage-backed securities.
• Broad knowledge of federal housing programs, laws, and regulations is preferred.
• Proven understanding of general financial management principles, including experience in managing a budget.

Skills

• High proficiency with applicable computer software (e.g., MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and project management).
• The ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.

Benefits

The Indianapolis Housing Agency offers a complete benefits package for all full-time employees. These benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA, Employer Sponsored Group Term Life Insurance, Vacation & Sick Time, approximately 18 Annual Company Holidays, Employer Sponsered PERF Retirement Plan, and many more.