Vice President - Legal, Safety, and Compliance

Job Summary 

The YMCA of Greater Seattle invites applications from accomplished legal professionals for the position of VP of Legal, Safety, and Compliance. This role will manage all legal matters including litigation for the organization, with particular emphasis on employment law, property and real estate transactions, and will be responsible for insurance, risk management, and compliance. This executive will report to the CEO and serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, ensuring legal integrity and organizational safety and compliance while advancing the YMCA’s mission.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a regular, full time position with expected hours of Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm with occasional evenings and weekends required as needed to meet job requirements.

What You Will Get From Working at The Y 

• Membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle for you and your household 

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance 

• Retirement with generous employer contributions 

• Free access to mental health resources 

• Rapidly accruing paid time off (PTO) 

• Discounts on qualifying YMCA of Greater Seattle childcare, day camp, overnight camp and outdoor leadership programs. 25% for part-time staff, 50% for full-time staff. 

* Some benefits only available to full-time staff 

Hiring Range: $170,000 - $200,000

• Employment Law,  Labor Relations and Policy: Provide comprehensive counsel regarding employment practices, including recruitment, performance evaluation, termination and other disciplinary action, workplace investigations, accommodations and leave of absence, position eliminations, and adherence to federal, state, and local labor laws. Review employment policies and procedures and support delivery of training to HR and management staff..  
• Property & Real Estate: Manage all legal affairs related to property acquisition, sale, leasing, zoning, land use, and facility operations. Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and lease agreements; ensure compliance with relevant regulations and codes.  
• Risk Management & Compliance: Lead and continuously evolve an enterprise risk management (ERM) framework, including risk identification, mitigation strategies, and reporting to executive leadership and the Board. Oversee compliance with privacy, safety, accessibility, and insurance standards; manage compliance channels and investigate noncompliance allegations. Direct security initiatives and strategies.  
  • Analyze incidents, accidents, and claims to identify trends; recommend training or procedural improvements to minimize risk.  
  • Collaborate with departments to review reports and implement corrective actions.  
  • Lead initiatives to reduce property and liability exposure.  
  • Evaluate contracts for risk; approve insurance requirements and indemnification clauses across various leases and agreements.  
  • Monitor compliance with L&I, OSHA, and pertinent safety regulations; liaise with regulators and conduct internal audits.  
  • Manage child protection and mandatory reporting, aquatics, and camp certifications. and compliance.  
  • Manage litigation and complaints concerning membership and customer terms, risk, safety, and health and coordinate with department leaders.
• Regulatory Change Leadership: Monitor emerging legal and regulatory developments; proactively advise leadership on impacts and implementation strategies
• Data Privacy, Cybersecurity & Information Governance – Provide comprehensive counsel and work collaboratively with leadership to manage risks regarding HIPAA, consumer data, incident response, cybersecurity risk and breach response. 
• Contract Management: Draft, review, and negotiate diverse contractual agreements, including vendor, sponsorship, facility rental, government and private grants and contracts, waivers, trademark and copyright, and partnership documents. Maintain systematic records of all contracts and legal files.  
• Policy Development & Training: Work collaboratively with leadership to develop and update organizational policies. Conduct training programs on legal compliance, risk management, and employment best practices for staff and volunteers.  
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Supervise active and pending litigation, represent the YMCA in legal proceedings, and retain and manage external counsel as necessary. Manage resolution of disputes involving employees, contractors, members, properties, or third parties in collaboration with responsible department leaders.  
• Board & Executive Support: Advise the Board of Directors and executive leaders, prepare reports and presentations, and participate in cross-functional projects to advance organizational objectives.  

Praesidium:

All employees and volunteers are responsible for adhering to abuse prevention policies, maintaining appropriate boundaries, completing required training, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and complying with mandated reporting requirements.

*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Code of Conduct for Applicants 

All employees and volunteers are responsible for adhering to abuse prevention policies, maintaining appropriate boundaries, completing required training, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and complying with mandated reporting requirements.  

Responsible for ensuring staff are properly screened, trained, supervised and held accountable to the organization’s abuse risk management standards. 

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited institution; active license to practice law in Washington State.
• Minimum seven years of relevant legal experience, including some in house legal experience, preferably within nonprofit or community-focused environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in employment law, property and real estate, risk management, and compliance.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• A self-starter with demonstrated ability to execute independently and contribute effectively within diverse teams.
• Thrives in fast paced environments. 
• Organized with strong project management and delegation skills to manage high volume of projects and matters. 
• High ethical standards, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and legal research tools. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Knowledge of and previous experience with diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.).
• Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful. 

You'll be a great fit for the Seattle Y if you: 

• Thrive on working in a collaborative environment. 

• Are very adaptable. 

• Have high ownership and strong work ethic. 

• Are a great problem solver who can think on your feet. 

• Truly enjoy being of service to people. 

• Like being part of a team that cares about one another as people and enjoy working together. 

• Want to know that the work you do contributes to building a better, stronger community for all. 

OUR MISSION 

Building a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body.  

OUR VALUES 

• Respect 

• Responsibility 

• Honesty 

• Caring 

• Passion for Excellence 

YGS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and equitable work environment.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law. 

We are a drug & alcohol-free workplace. We participate in the Federal E-Verify system. All job offers are contingent on the results of a background check in accordance with Washington's Fair Chance Act.

If you need assistance of any kind with the application process, reach out to recruiting@seattleymca.org.