What are the responsibilities and job description for the VP General Counsel Legal position at Grameen America, Inc.?
Vice President General Counsel Legal
Location: (Currently Remote-New York Tri-State Area). Must reside in the U.S.
Salary range:$200,000/yr.-$220,000/yr. commensurate with experience
The Company
Frequently lauded as the “best kept secret,” Grameen America Inc. (GAI) is the fastest-growing and largest microfinance organization in the United States. A 501(c)(3) certified CDFI institution, we are dedicated to helping low-income entrepreneurial women build businesses to enable financial mobility. We do this by offering microloans starting at $500-$2,500, assisting members with obtaining or improving their credit scores, and providing financial, health education, and other services.
Founded in 2007 by 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus, with one branch in Jackson Heights, New York, today we are a national organization with 37 branches in 14 states and 27 cities throughout the entire United States, with a total investment of $4.3B in 202,000 women as of April 2024. We are not stopping here. We have launched a “Women are Limitless” campaign, scaling our program to cumulatively reach over 750,000 members in 73 branches, disbursing over $40B.
Through our campaign, we will scale our program with the following strategic priorities:
We work in a highly creative, innovative, and creative environment. We are a learning institution and use lean testing to enhance our program and develop new and effective ways to meet the needs of the women we serve. Our members are the reason we exist – our program is successful because of the trust we create within our communities as we help women with starter loans and provide them with additional capital as they grow. Technology is a foundational tool to simplify processes for our members and increase our work efficiency. We do this in a regulatory environment on both a federal and state level where we do not fit traditional definitions and must educate government and regulatory bodies on our work.
THE PERSON
The specific job description is listed below, but we need you to be:
You will be the chief legal advisor and counsel to the organization and its Board of Directors. In this role:
Strategy – you will provide guidance and counsel on all planned and in-concept strategic initiatives to ensure that legal risks are identified, explored, and addressed. You will be part of the Senior Management Team (SLT), which decides significant issues relating to the direction the organization is following. You will advise and guide them in all matters involving the organization and their respective workstreams.
Compliance – you will be GAI’s Chief Compliance Officer. In this role, you will ensure that all required filings are made through the national NMLS system and all applicable state requirements, especially in New York and California. You will oversee all state-mandated exams and liaise with the Operations, Finance, and Tech departments on responses to state and/or federal regulators. With the Finance Department, you will ensure that all state corporate and charity filings are completed on time. Every year, you will report on compliance to the Board of Directors and recommend action as appropriate. You will oversee our relationship with our state agent for service and filings, CSC, ensuring that they have all required documentation and that all requests are responded to promptly. Similarly, you will monitor our relationship with Idology, the company that provides us with our KYC software for AML compliance.
Board of Directors – you ensure compliance with corporate governance laws and best practices. You will become the Board Secretary, an officer’s position at GAI. In this role, you will liaise with the Board on legal issues, advising them on legal risks and issues potentially requiring Board direction or other action. You will take minutes for all Board meetings, obtain all legally required documentation from Board members, where applicable, and address all legal questions from the Board.
New Initiatives – you will work with each department at GAI on any new initiative, lean test, or change to policy that may be contemplated to ensure that said activities are within the regulations and laws we operate under.
Strategic and Transactional Financing and Development Support – GAI obtains most of its funding through debt instruments and philanthropic fundraising. Together with the Finance Department, you will work on reviewing and drafting financial funding agreements, including loans, EQ2, SPV, participation agreements, SSCBI government funding, and similar debt vehicles, together with all supporting documentation. As we continue with our scaling plan, you will be responsible for outside counsel oversight on new debt financing channels, including but not limited to private placements, bank club deals, and public debt financing, among others. On the Development/Fundraising side, you will review all agreements for philanthropic funding and will provide prime support for registration and renewals of required funding certifications such as CDFI, SAM, and the like. You will be a member of the organization’s Fundraising Pod, ESD task force, and any other interdepartmental group formed to address debt and funding issues.
Programs/Operations/Elevate – our program is how we achieve our mission. Between our Core and our Elevating Black Women Initiative, you will be involved in all issues that may have legal ramifications, especially any new suggested changes to our operational model. Particularly for our Elevate program, you will review and advise on any consultant/3rd party relationships and strategic partnerships.
Employment – you will advise and assist our Human Resources Department on employee performance problems and staff terminations, as well as the review and implementation of required policies and general HR guidance.
Technology – GAI uses and creates cutting-edge technology to run its programs most efficiently and effectively. This requires compliance with federal and state data protection and use laws and guidelines, particularly New York Part 500, among the strongest legislation governing data in the country. This is a constantly changing field, and you will work with our Tech team, outside CISO, and other parties to ensure that we follow all applicable laws and regulations.
Outside Counsel Oversight – you will oversee and liaise with all outside 3rd party counsel retained by GAI for specialized legal services, including litigation. This includes counsel directly retained by GAI and counsel on legal matters provided to GAI through its contract with ADP.
Training – you will be responsible for legal and financial training for new staff and staff being promoted into more senior positions.
Leases – you will review all lease agreements for GAI branches, ensuring that key provisions are included in each agreement.
General – this position must address several miscellaneous/general questions arising in the normal business course. You will be responsible for addressing these questions either directly or directing them to the appropriate department and following up that the issue has been addressed. You will stay informed of all relevant laws and regulations.
Leadership – as a SLT member, you are expected to help lead the organization as its legal expert. You are also expected to lead, coach, and mentor the newly hired paralegal position as she takes on additional responsibilities.
Requirements
Grameen America, Inc. participates in E-Verify.
Visa sponsorship not provided.
Must be able to legally work in the U.S.
Location: (Currently Remote-New York Tri-State Area). Must reside in the U.S.
Salary range:$200,000/yr.-$220,000/yr. commensurate with experience
The Company
Frequently lauded as the “best kept secret,” Grameen America Inc. (GAI) is the fastest-growing and largest microfinance organization in the United States. A 501(c)(3) certified CDFI institution, we are dedicated to helping low-income entrepreneurial women build businesses to enable financial mobility. We do this by offering microloans starting at $500-$2,500, assisting members with obtaining or improving their credit scores, and providing financial, health education, and other services.
Founded in 2007 by 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus, with one branch in Jackson Heights, New York, today we are a national organization with 37 branches in 14 states and 27 cities throughout the entire United States, with a total investment of $4.3B in 202,000 women as of April 2024. We are not stopping here. We have launched a “Women are Limitless” campaign, scaling our program to cumulatively reach over 750,000 members in 73 branches, disbursing over $40B.
Through our campaign, we will scale our program with the following strategic priorities:
- Broaden our reach – expanding access to affordable services in underserved communities.
- Deepen impact – innovating our program to improve outcomes, moving our members from financial stability to financial mobility.
- Innovate to expand access – continuing to innovate our Elevating Black Women initiative and leverage learnings to expand access to new communities.
- Promote systems change – using our insights to influence the broader financial system.
- Invest for scale – strengthening the organization’s technology, data capabilities, and infrastructure.
We work in a highly creative, innovative, and creative environment. We are a learning institution and use lean testing to enhance our program and develop new and effective ways to meet the needs of the women we serve. Our members are the reason we exist – our program is successful because of the trust we create within our communities as we help women with starter loans and provide them with additional capital as they grow. Technology is a foundational tool to simplify processes for our members and increase our work efficiency. We do this in a regulatory environment on both a federal and state level where we do not fit traditional definitions and must educate government and regulatory bodies on our work.
THE PERSON
The specific job description is listed below, but we need you to be:
- Mission Driven – committed to helping women achieve financial empowerment.
- Business Focused – we need you to understand the business and what drives our success.
- Innovative – we don’t fit traditional financial institution models, so you must apply that lens in your work.
- Collaborative – able to communicate and connect with people of various backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
- Strategic – not just today but tomorrow, 5 years from now, 10 years from now - always looking at legal trends.
- Technology savvy – not only being able to use today’s technology but being able to adapt to changes in the future.
You will be the chief legal advisor and counsel to the organization and its Board of Directors. In this role:
Strategy – you will provide guidance and counsel on all planned and in-concept strategic initiatives to ensure that legal risks are identified, explored, and addressed. You will be part of the Senior Management Team (SLT), which decides significant issues relating to the direction the organization is following. You will advise and guide them in all matters involving the organization and their respective workstreams.
Compliance – you will be GAI’s Chief Compliance Officer. In this role, you will ensure that all required filings are made through the national NMLS system and all applicable state requirements, especially in New York and California. You will oversee all state-mandated exams and liaise with the Operations, Finance, and Tech departments on responses to state and/or federal regulators. With the Finance Department, you will ensure that all state corporate and charity filings are completed on time. Every year, you will report on compliance to the Board of Directors and recommend action as appropriate. You will oversee our relationship with our state agent for service and filings, CSC, ensuring that they have all required documentation and that all requests are responded to promptly. Similarly, you will monitor our relationship with Idology, the company that provides us with our KYC software for AML compliance.
Board of Directors – you ensure compliance with corporate governance laws and best practices. You will become the Board Secretary, an officer’s position at GAI. In this role, you will liaise with the Board on legal issues, advising them on legal risks and issues potentially requiring Board direction or other action. You will take minutes for all Board meetings, obtain all legally required documentation from Board members, where applicable, and address all legal questions from the Board.
New Initiatives – you will work with each department at GAI on any new initiative, lean test, or change to policy that may be contemplated to ensure that said activities are within the regulations and laws we operate under.
Strategic and Transactional Financing and Development Support – GAI obtains most of its funding through debt instruments and philanthropic fundraising. Together with the Finance Department, you will work on reviewing and drafting financial funding agreements, including loans, EQ2, SPV, participation agreements, SSCBI government funding, and similar debt vehicles, together with all supporting documentation. As we continue with our scaling plan, you will be responsible for outside counsel oversight on new debt financing channels, including but not limited to private placements, bank club deals, and public debt financing, among others. On the Development/Fundraising side, you will review all agreements for philanthropic funding and will provide prime support for registration and renewals of required funding certifications such as CDFI, SAM, and the like. You will be a member of the organization’s Fundraising Pod, ESD task force, and any other interdepartmental group formed to address debt and funding issues.
Programs/Operations/Elevate – our program is how we achieve our mission. Between our Core and our Elevating Black Women Initiative, you will be involved in all issues that may have legal ramifications, especially any new suggested changes to our operational model. Particularly for our Elevate program, you will review and advise on any consultant/3rd party relationships and strategic partnerships.
Employment – you will advise and assist our Human Resources Department on employee performance problems and staff terminations, as well as the review and implementation of required policies and general HR guidance.
Technology – GAI uses and creates cutting-edge technology to run its programs most efficiently and effectively. This requires compliance with federal and state data protection and use laws and guidelines, particularly New York Part 500, among the strongest legislation governing data in the country. This is a constantly changing field, and you will work with our Tech team, outside CISO, and other parties to ensure that we follow all applicable laws and regulations.
Outside Counsel Oversight – you will oversee and liaise with all outside 3rd party counsel retained by GAI for specialized legal services, including litigation. This includes counsel directly retained by GAI and counsel on legal matters provided to GAI through its contract with ADP.
Training – you will be responsible for legal and financial training for new staff and staff being promoted into more senior positions.
Leases – you will review all lease agreements for GAI branches, ensuring that key provisions are included in each agreement.
General – this position must address several miscellaneous/general questions arising in the normal business course. You will be responsible for addressing these questions either directly or directing them to the appropriate department and following up that the issue has been addressed. You will stay informed of all relevant laws and regulations.
Leadership – as a SLT member, you are expected to help lead the organization as its legal expert. You are also expected to lead, coach, and mentor the newly hired paralegal position as she takes on additional responsibilities.
Requirements
- A JD from an accredited US law school; admission to practice in NY or California.
- 10-15 years or more broad experience in a not-for-profit institution, corporate in-house, or multi-departmental law firm.
- Spanish speaker preferred.
- Legal familiarity with, among other topics: o Multiple financial instruments, including debt agreements, SPVs, private placements, government contracts, etc.
- Philanthropic and charitable solicitations.
- Compliance requirements and regulations.
- Technology data protection and future trends, including the use of AI and other innovations.
- Employment laws and processes.
- Ability to think critically and creatively in very fast-paced settings, with the ability to find innovative solutions to unique situations.
- Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters.
- Track record of serving multiple teams and senior managers in a diverse and multi-faceted organization.
- Ability to handle multiple assignments, meet deadlines, excel under pressure, and pay strong attention to detail.
- Supervisory and mentoring skills.
- Must be authorized to work in the US without sponsorship and permanently located in the US.
- Ability to work in teams, collaborate, and build relationships with various team members.
- Sense of humor, ability to communicate and build relationships at all levels of the organization, members, banking and donor partners, etc.
- Medical, dental, and vision plans.
- Vacation and sick days.
- Paid Holiday Schedule
- 401K retirement savings plans
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Grameen America, Inc. participates in E-Verify.
Visa sponsorship not provided.
Must be able to legally work in the U.S.
Salary : $200,000 - $220,000
