Executive Vice President General Counsel and Corporate Board Secretary

Are you an accomplished lawyer with leadership and management experience and a track record as a trusted advisor to corporate directors executives and employees at all levels Do you have a passion for the law and a deep commitment to the power of higher education to change individual lives and the world The Indiana University Foundation (IUF) is a worldclass fundraising investment and gift management nonprofit affiliated with Indiana University (IU) and we are seeking an experienced and principled Executive Vice President (EVP) General Counsel & Corporate Board Secretary (EVP & GC) to join our senior executive team. Reporting to the CEO the EVP & GC serves as an integral member of the Senior Management Team and is responsible for all legal matters at the IUF.  

In your role as a senior leader you will serve as a role model advisor and strategist for the larger organization playing a crucial part in strategic plan initiatives that promote IUFs mission of maximizing private support for IU. This position serves as a bridge builder counselor and representative of IUF to a diverse range of constituents including IUF board members executives and employees; university academic unit leaders and administrative staff at all levels and across all IU campuses; IUF and IU volunteers; IU students; partners at other IU affiliated entities; donors and their advisors; and IUF business partners. As a representative of IUF and an ambassador for IUs fundraising efforts you will build trust and cultivate congenial productive working relationships as you interact in the course of your work to advance the IUFs mission and optimize gifts for the benefit of IU.

In your role as EVP & GC you will direct the activities of the four employees in the Legal and Internal Audit and Risk Management departments who report to you shaping the approach and culture of your team and managing related employment obligations. On behalf of the organization you also will address legal risk and compliance questions that span a wide variety of disciplines providing skilled intelligent practical and ethical legal advice consistent with the IUFs integrity and reputation.  Outside counsel partners may be used in specific cases.

This position requires someone adept at managing multiple matters simultaneously who has the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and the initiative and interest to learn new areas of the law in an everevolving higher education and nonprofit arena.

Key Responsibilities:

Effectively manages the responsibilities of the general counsel including the following:

• Represent IUF in all legal matters supervising legal staff and/or handling all legal matters of the corporation
• Lead the Internal Audit and Risk Management department
• Represent IU as a named beneficiary under estates according to delegated authority from IU
• Manage the use of outside counsel when necessary for the handling of litigation and other legal matters
• Review and prepare contracts and other legal documents
• Ensure necessary filings and reports are made to various state and federal agencies
• Advise Board Members Officers and staff in all departments of IUF as to legal aspects of proposed actions
• Serve as staff liaison to the Legal & Corporate Governance Committee of the IUF Board of Directors and other committees as assigned by the President
• Serve as Corporate Counsel for subsidiary related or affiliated entities

Monitors and reviews development programs to ensure compliance with federal state and local laws by executing the following:

• Provide advice related to charitable tax deduction issues and procedures for making gifts
• Provide consultation and advice and preparing necessary legal documents concerning the acquisition and/or sale of gifts such as closely held corporations personal property and real estate
• Prepare or reviewing gift agreements for establishing endowed funds
• Prepare or reviewing legal documents used to establish major and planned gifts
• Prepare and distributing information concerning the implications of changes in federal and state law
• Provide advice for the administration and investment of funds and monitoring related activities

Provide managerial leadership for the Legal Department including the following:

• Acquire and maintaining knowledge of IUF policies and procedures
• Acquire and utilize managerial and interpersonal skills of negotiation conflict resolution active listening and team leadership
• Provide vision and direction consistent with the IUF strategic plan
• Effectively communicate plan goals to subordinates
• Foster an open environment of dialogue that results in the identification planning and implementation of department services that are effective and efficient
• Assure alignment of policies and procedures with IUFs strategic direction and goals

Provide managerial leadership for and on behalf of IUF including the following:

• Actively participate with other senior managers in assisting the President in longrange planning and assessment of current operations
• Maintain effective working relationships with Board Members
• Become knowledgeable in all aspects of the business
• Actively contribute ideas and opinions that further the interests of IUF
• Represent IUF at appropriate functions in a professional manner
• Act as a resource for Indiana University (IU) Administration staff and unit development/business officers on IUF nonprofit law and legal issues related to philanthropy

Qualifications :

Knowledge and Skills:

• 1012 years in private practice or as inhouse corporate counsel with experience in a variety of legal areas. Nonprofit and/or higher education a plus
• 5 years of leadership experience
• Knowledge of nonprofit tax estate planning and administration with employment and/or real estate practice areas a plus
• Communication skills necessary to convey information in a clear concise and persuasive manner
• Enhanced interpersonal skills (ability to work with alumni faculty staff and others in a collegial and productive manner)
• Ability to simultaneously and successfully manage ongoing projects in various legal disciplines

Education:

• Baccalaureate and Doctor of Jurisprudence degrees required
• Admission to the practice of law in the State of Indiana strongly preferred

Additional Information :

Applications will be accepted through March 14 2025. A cover letter articulating your interest in the position is highly recommended for consideration.   

For questions about the position or application please reach out to Shawna Wagner at

The IUF is committed to providing a safe respectful and professional work environment that is free of Discrimination and Harassment. The IUF will not tolerate any form of Discrimination or Harassment based on the Individuals race ethnicity religion color sex age national origin genetic information sexual orientation disability gender identity or expression ancestry marital status protected veteran status pregnancy or any other basis prohibited by law