General Counsel - Friends of the High Line

The General Counsel is a vital role within the High Line, serving as the primary legal and compliance officer, responsible for overseeing a diverse portfolio that spans real estate and construction, art installations, community engagement, education, and programming. This is a one-person department where the General Counsel will work closely with internal teams and external partners, including NYC Parks, to support the organization’s mission. The ideal candidate will be experienced, versatile, and able to manage a wide range of legal matters, from real estate and construction to contracts and compliance.

Requirements

• Legal Counsel and Strategy: Provide strategic legal advice to protect the High Line’s interests, legal rights, and reputation. Support business and strategic needs through creative solutions to legal challenges. 

• Real Estate and Construction – Industrial Reuse: Oversee all legal aspects of real estate and construction projects, including industrial reuse, easements, and connections to the surrounding urban environment. Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations, guiding the organization in matters related to capital projects and community development. 

• Contract and Risk Management: Support enterprise risk management efforts, including in contracting. Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, particularly for programming, art installations, and sponsorships, as well as those relating to operational partnerships with NYC Parks and others. Improve contract management processes to ensure efficiency and compliance. 

• Compliance and Regulatory Oversight: Ensure the organization meets all legal and regulatory requirements, including New York's Not-For-Profit Corporation Law, insurance policies, and licensing agreements with NYC Parks. Oversee the organization’s general insurance policies to ensure adequate coverage and risk mitigation. 

• Art and Cultural Installations: Provide legal guidance on matters related to art installations, performances, and cultural programming to ensure adherence to intellectual property, licensing, and other relevant laws. 

• Employment Law and HR Support: Be a partner in advancing the teams and culture of the organization, including collaborating with the People and Culture team to provide legal guidance on personnel matters, policy development, and compliance with employment laws. Assist with interpreting and updating the Employee Handbook as needed.
• Board and Governance: Serve as Assistant Secretary. Assist in preparing Board and Committee agendas, materials, and minutes, attend Board meetings and, upon request, Board Committee meetings, ensure compliance with existing governance requirements and recommend improvement of governance practices and Board Committee charters. 
• Outside Counsel Management: Identify, engage, and manage outside legal counsel as necessary for specialized matters, including litigation, real estate, and zoning issues. 

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and membership in good standing with the New York State Bar or eligibility to practice law in New York. 
• At least eight (8) years of legal experience (nonprofit experience preferred, but not required). 
• Proven ability to handle a wide range of legal matters, including real estate and construction matters, contract negotiation, compliance, and risk management. 
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, as well as ability to build relationships to work effectively across departments and with external stakeholders. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Creative and flexible approach to problem-solving with broad legal judgment. 
• Strong organizational and leadership skills, with the ability to operate both independently and as part of a team. 
• High degree of discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality. 
• Ability to occasionally work evenings and weekends, as needed.

The location for the role remains hybrid, with a current requirement to physically report to the office at least three days a week (located in Manhattan's Meatpacking District in New York City). 

The salary range is $200,000 - $220,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

The application deadline for this position is Friday, December 6th. We will be reviewing resumes on an ongoing basis, so it is recommended not to wait until the deadline, as interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. 

EEO Statement:

The High Line is guided by a series of values through which we make decisions, including hiring. These values include proactively creating access points for all people, regardless of age, sex, color, creed, race, income, country of origin, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. 

As part of our commitment to living up to these values and advancing equity within our organization and through our work, we are committed to an equitable hiring process. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with a broad range of lived experiences. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment. 

**If you are an individual with a disability and need accommodation during the application process, please send an email request to peopleandculture@thehighline.org** Resumes sent to this email address will not be given any special consideration.

Benefits

• 20 vacation days, 6 sick days, and 9 paid holidays
• Paid primary and secondary caregiver leave
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Supplemental short-term disability insurance and paid life insurance
• Commuter benefits
• Flexible spending accounts
• Contribution in a 403(b) retirement plan
• Discounted Citi Bike membership
• Discount on High Line merchandise
• Employee Assistance Program

Friends of the High Line raises nearly 100% of the High Line's annual budget. Owned by the City of New York, the High Line is a public park maintained, operated, and programmed by Friends of the High Line, in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.