Overview
This full-time, remote position is for a Vice President - Senior Counsel role serving as the principal legal advisor for the day-to-day operations of the organization's asset management and property management business lines. The role involves designing enterprise-wide risk frameworks, navigating affordable housing regulatory requirements, and protecting the organization from systemic liabilities. The VP - Senior Counsel will work closely with the Chief Legal Officer and cross-functional teams across Asset Management, Property Management, and Corporate Office functions.
Responsibilities
- Develop and establish enterprise-level contract standards, templates, and standard operating procedures for high-value vendor partnerships, technology platforms, and asset- and property-level services.
- Negotiate enterprise agreements, master service agreements (MSAs), and strategic vendor contracts, ensuring favorable indemnity, liability limits, insurance, and data protection provisions.
- Streamline the commercial contract lifecycle across operational divisions to balance business speed with risk protection.
- Formulate proactive compliance strategies to navigate municipal, state, and federal real estate mandates, affordable housing program rules, environmental laws, and consumer protection requirements.
- Advise on affordable housing regulatory frameworks including LIHTC regulatory agreements, HUD requirements, and state and local housing authority rules.
- Serve as a primary legal interface with regulatory agencies, housing authorities, building departments, and elected officials on zoning, compliance, and enforcement matters.
- Interpret emerging regulatory trends and implement policy changes to reduce corporate exposure.
- Oversee investigation and resolution of Fair Housing, ADA, civil rights, and discrimination complaints.
- Collaborate with operational leaders to draft and audit accessibility policies and anti-discrimination frameworks.
- Represent or direct specialized counsel in administrative audits and investigations by agencies such as HUD and civil rights commissions.
- Manage the operational litigation portfolio, including general liability and commercial matters, to identify systemic vulnerabilities.
- Direct outside litigation counsel, define defense and settlement strategies, approve major filings, manage legal spend, and provide updates to the CLO.
- Conduct routine corporate risk assessments and deploy mitigation programs.
- Review and advise on HR-related policies related to multi-state staff and applicable employment law in coordination with People & Culture and the CLO.
Requirements
Experience
- Minimum of eight (8+) years of law firm or in-house legal experience, including corporate in-house operations.
- Deep understanding of real estate operational mechanics, commercial insurance structures, and systemic regulatory risks.
- Strongly preferred experience with affordable housing regulatory frameworks such as LIHTC, HUD, and state housing authority programs.
- Proven success navigating sensitive investigations, regulatory bodies, and interfacing with public officials.
- Prior in-house counsel experience in property management, real estate, or affordable housing environments preferred.
- Proficient in legal research and writing with practical, business-focused recommendations.
- Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Outlook).
Education
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited U.S. law school.
- Active member in good standing of a state bar; admission in NY, NJ, MD, PA, VA, and/or CO is a plus.
Attributes
- Effective communicator able to translate complex legal matters into clear guidance for non-legal staff.
- Strong organizational and time management skills to manage a high volume of matters.
- Solutions-oriented with a proactive, hands-on approach.
- Flexible and able to prioritize competing demands and adapt quickly.
- Exercises sound business judgment and professionalism.
- Resourceful with effective research and problem-solving skills.
- Able to work independently and collaboratively within a geographically distributed team.
- Positive and outgoing attitude toward colleagues, residents, and third parties.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $225,000.00 - $260,000.00 annually.
Location