Position Overview

The Deputy Director & General Counsel serves as a senior member of CASWs executive leadership team, providing strategic legal guidance, operational oversight, and organizational leadership across the agencys multi-site youth development programs. This role is responsible for managing legal, compliance, risk management, human resources, and operational systems to ensure CASWs programs operate in alignment with applicable laws, funder requirements, and best practices.

The position plays a critical role in supporting the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and program leadership while safeguarding the organizations mission, reputation, and participants.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Affairs & Risk Management

• Serve as in-house legal counsel for the organization, advising leadership on legal, regulatory, and risk-related matters.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, MOUs, vendor agreements, licenses, waivers, and other legal documents.
• Oversee litigation matters, claims, and investigations, coordinating with outside counsel and insurers as necessary.
• Develop and maintain agency-wide policies related to confidentiality, data protection, mandated reporting, incident response, and participant safety.
• Advise on governance matters, including Board compliance, bylaws, and organizational policies.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and city laws, including requirements related to:
  • DYCD-funded programs (COMPASS, SONYC, Beacon, Cornerstone, FEC)
  • NYC Department of Health, Department of Education, FDNY, and OCFS
• Oversee responses to inspections, audits, corrective action plans, and compliance reviews.
• Maintain agency compliance calendars, reporting timelines, and documentation systems.
• Serve as primary point of contact for compliance-related inquiries and escalations.

Human Resources & Employment Matters

• Provide oversight and guidance on HR operations, including hiring, discipline, investigations, performance management, and terminations.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Support the development and implementation of employee handbooks, disciplinary procedures, and workplace policies.
• Advise leadership on employee relations, workplace accommodations, leave administration, and mandated reporting obligations.
• Collaborate closely with HR staff to standardize systems and practices across all sites.

Operations & Program Support

• Support the Executive Director in overseeing agency operations and internal systems.
• Work collaboratively with program leadership to address operational challenges, site compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Assist in developing procedures and protocols for program operations, trips, emergencies, and incident response.
• Support cross-departmental coordination to ensure consistency and accountability across multiple program sites.

Leadership & Strategic Support

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Executive Director and senior leadership team.
• Participate in leadership meetings, planning sessions, and Board presentations as needed.
• Assist in organizational planning, policy development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Mentor and support managers and directors on compliance-driven decision-making.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law in New York State.
• Minimum of 1-3 years of relevant legal and/or nonprofit leadership experience.
• Strong background in nonprofit law, employment law, regulatory compliance, or government-funded programs.
• Experience working with youth-serving organizations or highly regulated environments preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, multi-site organization.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and communication skills.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Strong legal and regulatory analysis
• Operational leadership
• Risk management and compliance oversight
• Relationship-building and collaboration
• Clear, confident written and verbal communication