Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary - New York Blood Center Inc

At New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe), one of the most comprehensive blood centers in the world, our focus is on cultivating excellence by merging cutting-edge innovation with diligent customer service, groundbreaking research, and comprehensive program and service development. Join us as we work towards meeting and exceeding the growing needs of our diverse communities, further our lifesaving strategic goals in a rapidly changing environment, and expand our impact on the local, national, and global communities we serve.

As a Key member of enterprise-wide senior leadership, the General Counsel provides strategic advice to the CEO and senior leadership team of NYBCe. As the organization’s chief legal officer, the enterprise-wide General Counsel is responsible for managing all the legal affairs of the organization. This includes intellectual property, litigation and dispute resolution, federal and state healthcare law compliance, employment/labor law, contract negotiation and management, commercial transactions, internal investigations, new ventures, corporate transactions, real estate, nonprofit tax and compliance, and general legal compliance. The General Counsel also serves as Secretary to the Board of Trustees for the organization and manages the varied legal and governance issues associated with the activities of the Board and its Committees.

Strategic Legal Counsel: Advise the CEO, leadership team, Board, and organization on legal and related risks associated with activities, including cell therapy work, M&A, venture investments, and new initiatives.

Legal Management: Oversee all legal matters, including:

• Intellectual Property: Work with Scientific Business Development to manage patents, licensing, technology transfers, and IP strategy.
• Litigation: Manage litigation related to professional liability, employment, commercial disputes, and real estate. Develop litigation risk assessments and strategies.
• Healthcare Law Compliance: Provide guidance on FDA and healthcare regulations (e.g., anti-kickback statutes, privacy laws).
• Employment/Labor Law: Advise on employment issues (e.g., discrimination, workplace matters, terminations).
• Contract Management: Negotiate, draft, and manage contracts (e.g., government, IT, IP, procurement)/
• Commercial & Corporate Transactions: Manage legal aspects of acquisitions, partnerships, and divestitures.
• Real Estate: Oversee real estate transactions (e.g., leases, construction).
• Nonprofit Compliance: Ensure adherence to IRS regulations, nonprofit laws, and executive compensation requirements.
• General Legal Compliance: Provide counsel on antitrust, clinical trials, and federal government contracts.

Board Secretary Responsibilities:

• Maintain records for the Board of Trustees.
• Advise the Board on best practices in corporate governance.
• Draft and revise Board policies, bylaws, and governance documents.
• Assist the President and CEO in supporting the Board and its Committees.

Compliance Program Management:

• Ensure the organization’s legal compliance programs are current and effective.
• Advise on changes to laws and regulations impacting the organization.
• Represent the organization before governmental and judicial bodies.

Team Leadership:

• Lead and supervise the in-house legal team (attorneys, paralegals, assistants).
• Prepare and manage the annual Law Department budget.
• Oversee the selection, retention, and management of outside legal counsel.

Other Functions

• Work individually or with teams on assigned special projects.
• Attend professional development programs.
• Perform any other duties as assigned

Education:

Juris Doctor and current and valid admission to New York Bar.

Experience:

Senior, Broad Legal Experience: 15+ years of legal experience, ideally including both private practice training and progressively senior in-house roles. A strong generalist with a broad range of legal experience including M&A, governance, Board management, litigation, employment and HR, contracting, and other areas.

Prior experience as a sitting General Counsel is preferred.

Life Sciences Expertise: Deep experience in the life sciences industry (e.g., pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical device), with a preference for backgrounds at companies with manufacturing. Fluency with the relevant FDA regulatory environment, as well as a strong understanding of the broader healthcare system and relevant U.S. federal and state laws and regulations (e.g., Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, Sunshine Act, etc.).

Licenses / Certifications:

License to practice law in New York.

Travel:

Ability to travel as needed (estimated up to 25%)

Knowledge:

Expert knowledge of legal practices, policies and procedures as they relate to the pharmaceutical/healthcare industry.

Skills & Abilities:

Strong analytical ability, outstanding communication skills, and sharp attention to detail.

Demonstrated experience building external partnerships and strategic alliances.

Action and results oriented, decisive, adaptable quick study, with proven ability to accurately analyze information and act.

Excellent oral/written and presentation skills. Detail oriented. Proficiency in preparation and presentation of analytical reports and documents regarding operational status, achievement, and performance.

Business Partnership: A business-minded, practical and solutions-focused approach; a legal leader who enjoys problem solving and who has an orientation towards finding a way to get things done on behalf of the business, balancing risk and reward as they advise organizational leadership. A collaborative style. A strong ability to engage in novel issues.

Gravitas: Maturity and judgement in handling complex situations and guiding senior leadership. Excellent communication skills and a measured approach. A trusted advisor who can help guide decision-making across the organization, with the ability to provide counsel real-time as part of leadership team and related meetings.

Mission Orientation, Commercial Ethos: A mission-driven attorney inspired by NYBCe’s efforts to advance public health, with a work ethic and ethos reflective of the commercial nature of the organization. A leader who is passionate about NYBCe’s mission, and about partnering with colleagues who are leaders in their fields to advance its work through novel scientific and commercial activity.

For applicants who will perform this position in New York City or Westchester County, the proposed annual salary is $350,000.00 p/yr. to $375,000.00 p/yr. For applicants who will perform this position outside of New York City or Westchester County, salary will reflect local market rates and be commensurate with the applicant’s skills, job-related knowledge, and experience.