Summary
Description
Elevation Community Land Trust (ECLT) is a growing, innovative nonprofit with a mission of providing permanently affordable homeownership opportunities to low- and moderate-income families across Colorado. The Legal & Compliance Director will be responsible for three primary functions: providing legal counsel in support of ECLT’s Real Estate and Social Impact & Wealth Equity (SIWE) departments and for the organization as a whole, overseeing ECLT’s compliance activities, and partnering across the organization on risk management, policy and process development. This is a terrific opportunity for a candidate who is interested in working on a wide variety of legal matters in a fun, fast-paced environment that affords excellent work-life balance.
PRIMARY DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
The Legal & Compliance Director works both independently and cross-functionally to execute a wide range of activities to ensure that low to moderate income households have the opportunity to equitably participate in the local community and economy through homeownership. This position drafts, reviews and analyzes a variety of legal documents and agreements and provides legal advice on Real Estate and SIWE matters and for the organization more broadly, while engaging outside counsel on more complex matters. The Legal & Compliance Director also leads compliance activities across the organization, overseeing adherence to wide variety of grant, contractual and other legal requirements. Further, the position is responsible for partnering with the CFO on organizational risk management efforts, including insurance, tax and other matters. The position requires significant legal expertise in affordable housing and real estate transactions and strong knowledge of state, federal and local funding requirements, while offering the opportunity to assist the organization in structuring novel transactions and programs. The Legal & Compliance Director reports to and works in close collaboration with the CFO, and has one direct report, the Contracts & Compliance Administrator (CCA). Duties will include, but are not limited to the following:
Legal:
- Prepare, review and analyze real estate documents and contracts, including but not limited to purchase and sale agreements, letters of intent, and development agreements; work with the CFO and others to negotiate with contract partners.
- Manage all legal aspects of large-scale real estate transaction closings, including but not limited to loan document review and lender communication.
- Lead review of government and private funder agreements and contracts, including but not limited to grant, loan, and other funding agreements.
- Review and develop MOUs with public entities and partner organizations.
- Engage and manage outside counsel on complex matters as needed with an eye toward cost control and efficiency, consulting with the CFO as appropriate.
- Manage organizational contracts, including but not limited to service agreements, consulting contracts, and property management contracts.
- Develop and maintain a deep understanding of federal, state, and local regulations guiding organizational operations and regulations, including fair housing laws and state and federal funding systems.
- Manage the homebuyer land lease consultation program and conduct consultations when needed.
- Resolve legal and novel compliance issues related to homebuyers and homeowners as they arise.
- Manage homebuyer- and homeowner-related legal activities, including but not limited to land leases, party wall agreements, third-party use/deed restrictions, common interest community documents under the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act, and foreclosures.
- Liaise with local government partners on various issues affecting ECLT homeowners, including compliance with covenants, deed restrictions, or other items impacting the homeowner experience.
Compliance
- Manage and interpret compliance obligations from a wide variety of contract types.
- Work cross-functionally to ensure that all ECLT departments are aware of and meeting compliance requirements, elevating the importance of these activities and generating buy-in from staff.
- Ensure organization-wide compliance with regulations impacting ECLT activities, including but not limited to Colorado’s Mobile Home Park Oversight Act and the Uniform Relocation Act.
- With support from the CCA, develop and maintain reporting and compliance systems as required by lenders as well as private, local, state and federal funding sources and in alignment with organizational needs.
- Support the CCA in providing feedback on compliance requirements not requiring legal analysis.
- Develop and maintain a deep understanding of federal, state, and local public funding streams and their application to ECLT projects.
Insurance, Risk Management & Processes:
- With the CFO, support general organizational risk management, including conducting risk analyses for new project/program types, advising the board and CEO, and strategizing to minimize liability.
- In partnership with various internal teams, review, update and implement controls, policies, and procedures to comply with all applicable grant, contract, and legal requirements; make recommendations for modifications and improvements to support contract compliance.
- Monitor organizational policies and recommend updates as required by law (e.g., records retention).
- Negotiate a consistent fair-share property tax model across multiple jurisdictions in which ECLT works and facilitate communication between assessors’ offices to promote understanding of community benefit and functional models of operations, engaging the CFO and CCA as needed.
- Support the C-suite in efforts to undertake new product lines, through an evaluation of risk potential and the development of mitigation strategies.
People Management and Leadership:
- Supervise the CCA, providing strategic direction, guidance and support to enable this position to successfully achieve organizational and individual goals.
- Support the CCA with growth plans and development opportunities.
- Proactively identify opportunities and anticipate and solve roadblocks and challenges to goal achievement.
- Champion and model ECLT’s people management framework, engaging with the organization’s structure and tools so that each team member is positioned to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the mission.
- Implement best practices in employee supervision and motivation, including establishing clear expectations, facilitating regular check ins, supporting individual goal setting, and conducting interim and annual performance evaluations with appropriate documentation.
General:
- Imbue all legal and compliance activities with the organizational commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; elevate the voices of ECLT homeowners and stakeholders.
- Maintain a deep understanding of community issues that impact ECLT’s work, e.g., affordable housing, workforce development, social enterprises, government funding programs, and community development.
- Maintain a deep understanding of the legal environment as it pertains to land trusts, affordable housing, homeowner’s associations, real estate, contracts, and tax-exempt organizations.
- Participate in grant writing activities related to advocacy, policy and legal as needed.
- Represent ECLT with statewide affordable housing coalitions and committees.
- Attend and participate in community events as needed.
- Uphold ECLT’s core values: Courage, Innovation, Authenticity, and Collective Power.
This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of job responsibilities. The incumbent will be expected to complete other duties as assigned.
Education:
- Juris Doctor degree required
Experience:
- 5+ years of experience in affordable housing and/or real estate law
- Some nonprofit legal experience strongly preferred
- At least 2 years of people management experience strongly preferred
- Admission to Colorado State Bar
- Demonstrated understanding of legal and compliance issues impacting the affordable housing sector in general, and affordable housing nonprofits in particular
- Strong working knowledge of real estate transactions and contracts
Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- In-depth understanding of the community land trust model a strong plus
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to represent ECLT with external stakeholders
- Excellent time management, research and organizational skills
- Passion and commitment for affordable housing, homeownership, and ECLT’s mission
- Exceptional organizational, problem-solving, and thought leadership skills; able to manage priorities and workflow; demonstrated ability to work well in a supportive, team-focused environment
- A commitment to maintain strict confidentiality
Requirements
- Must pass a background check
- Must be reliable, punctual, and demonstrate a good work ethic
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position for up 90% of scheduled work hours
- Must have reliable transportation to travel to and from stakeholder meetings
ECLT DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION POLICY
Elevation Community Land Trust is committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for the affordable housing industry, and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all. Our diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is one where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feels valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and worksites. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.
ABOUT THE CULTURE AT ECLT
ECLT is committed to creating a connected and supportive culture that celebrates success, inspires joy, practices radical generosity, and prioritizes balance in work and life for its staff, board, and community. Our core values of Courage, Authenticity, Innovation, and Collective Power drive our mission, our daily work, and our relationships with each other, our partners, and the people we serve.
COMPENSATION/BENEFITS
Salary range: $95,000 – $115,000, commensurate with depth of experience and overall qualifications. ECLT also offers a generous benefit package that includes health/dental/vision coverage, life, 401k (with a 7% company contribution), and paid time off. ECLT is based in Denver and offers a flexible, hybrid work environment. The ECLT office is closed on Fridays; all team members have the option to work a four-day week, or a five-day week with a dedicated meeting-free day on Friday.
TO APPLY
Please note that applications are only being accepted through Indeed. In order to help our small but mighty team better manage our applicant flow, no phone calls or emails, please.
Research suggests that women and BIPOC individuals are more likely to self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who believes they have the skills necessary to succeed to apply for this role.
