Chief Legal & Governance Officer​/General Counsel; Legal Director; Volunteer

Chief Legal & Governance Officer / General Counsel (Legal Director) (Volunteer)

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Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: Legal Affairs, Governance & Risk Management

Location: New York City and/or Remote via Google Meet

Employment Type: Volunteer (Unpaid)

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability. Through mentorship, education, literacy development, social‑emotional learning, creative expression, storytelling, and community‑centered innovation, MAP creates safe, consistent, and empowering spaces where young people can thrive.

MAP operates across multiple programs and platforms, including MAP Roots, MAP Connect, Promise Play, Promise Press, Thread & Promise, and Storytelling & Media. Strong legal governance is essential to protecting youth, volunteers, staff, partners, and the integrity of our mission.

The Chief Legal & Governance Officer / General Counsel (Legal Director) exists to ensure that MAP’s work is lawful, ethical, accountable, and well‑governed
—without losing sight of humanity, equity, or care.

This role safeguards MAP’s legal standing, governance structures, and risk management practices while serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and the Board. The Legal Director ensures that growth never compromises safety, transparency, or trust.

This is a senior executive role that works closely with the Chief Executive leadership, Chief Program Officer, Chief Human Resources & Organizational Development Officer, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, and Board leadership.

• Serve as MAP’s primary legal advisor across all programs, initiatives, and partnerships.
• Provide guidance on nonprofit governance, fiduciary duties, and Board compliance.
• Draft, review, and advise on contracts, MOUs, partnership agreements, and vendor agreements.
• Ensure compliance with NYC, NYS, and federal nonprofit regulations.
• Advise on child safety, mandatory reporting, confidentiality, and risk mitigation policies.
• Support development and review of organizational bylaws, governance documents, and Board policies.
• Partner with HR leadership on employment, volunteer, and compliance matters.
• Advise on data privacy, technology risk, and digital governance in collaboration with the CTIO.
• Support policy advocacy initiatives with legal analysis and guidance, as appropriate.
• Identify legal risks and recommend preventative strategies and ethical safeguards.
• Coordinate with pro‑bono counsel or external legal partners when needed.
• Communicate legal guidance clearly to non‑legal stakeholders.
• Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours.
• Take responsibility for performance improvement by strengthening governance systems and clarity over time.

• Clear executive authority and governance scope
• Direct collaboration with executive leadership and Board leadership
• Respect for time, capacity, and boundaries
• Trust‑based leadership and mission‑driven decision‑making
• Opportunities to shape long‑term governance and institutional integrity
• Professional references and letters of recommendation

• JD and active license to practice law (NY preferred, but not required).
• Senior experience in nonprofit law, governance, compliance, or legal leadership.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit governance, fiduciary responsibility, and risk management.
• Ability to balance legal rigor with compassion, equity, and practical guidance.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and communication skills.
• Commitment to youth protection, ethical leadership, and organizational integrity.

• Experience with NYC‑based nonprofits or youth‑serving organizations
• Background in labor/employment law, education law, or child welfare policy
• Experience supporting Boards of Directors
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred)

• Volunteer role, approximately 6–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6–12 month commitment preferred
• Hybrid New York City and/or remote via Google Meet
• MAP prioritizes sustainability, clarity, and ethical care over urgency

Please send your resume, Linked In profile, and a brief statement of interest to hr
.

Subject line:
Chief Legal & Governance Officer / General Counsel – Mentor A Promise

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Lead with integrity — help ensure that Mentor A Promise’s mission is protected, accountable, and built to last.