Job Description

Join a Mission-Driven Leadership Team – Deputy Director and General Counsel Opportunity in Columbus, OH!

Aspen Careers is partnering with a respected nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights of people with disabilities throughout Ohio to identify a Deputy Director and General Counsel. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced attorney and strategic leader to play a key role in organizational leadership, legal risk management, grant compliance, and mission-driven advocacy.

Working closely with the President and CEO, this individual will help guide organizational priorities, advise senior leadership, oversee compliance and risk matters, and facilitate collaboration across departments.

Job Title: Deputy Director and General Counsel

Location: Columbus, OH | Hybrid

Why You Should Apply:

• Serve as a key member of organizational leadership and work directly with the President and CEO to develop, implement, and oversee strategic goals.
• Act as a trusted legal and risk advisor to executive leadership and department directors on complex organizational matters.
• Oversee legal risk, regulatory compliance, ethics considerations, grant requirements, insurance matters, and organizational policies.
• Lead and coordinate cross-departmental initiatives that support the organization's annual goals and statewide mission.
• Provide guidance on labor and employment risk, personnel matters, policy development, and compliance with collective bargaining obligations.
• Oversee organizational grant compliance and help ensure funding resources are used appropriately and in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Help develop policies, procedures, and training related to compliance, funding requirements, organizational risk, and legal matters.
• Oversee the organization's strategic enforcement of its Protection & Advocacy access authority and advise leadership regarding potential judicial enforcement.
• Support the organization's client grievance process and develop procedures surrounding confidentiality and requests for organizational or client information.
• Provide legal supervision backup to the Legal Advocacy Director when needed.
• Support the development and implementation of organizational goals and impact measurement initiatives.
• Serve as the CEO's designee when needed and assume organizational authority in the CEO's absence.
• Join a role where your legal experience can directly support a mission focused on civil rights, advocacy, and meaningful statewide impact.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Admitted to the Ohio Bar, or eligible for admission, and in good standing.
• At least 5 years of experience practicing law.
• Strong leadership experience, including supervision and management responsibilities.
• Demonstrated understanding of compliance and regulatory requirements, including grant and funding compliance and applicable ethics rules.
• Knowledge of labor and employment law and experience assessing and managing organizational legal risk.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and mitigate risk.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to navigate sensitive matters, maintain strict confidentiality, and effectively manage conflict.
• Comfortable working collaboratively with executive leadership and department leaders across an organization.
• Able to coordinate complex projects and initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Willing and able to learn new and complex areas of law, regulation, and grant compliance.
• Admitted to, or eligible for admission to, the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Strong commitment to the organization's mission, civil rights, and client-directed advocacy.

Additional experience that would be especially valuable includes:

• Knowledge of disability systems and disability rights.
• Experience facilitating collaboration and alignment across departments.
• Familiarity with performance management or organizational impact measurement frameworks.
• Experience turning complex data into clear, actionable information.
• Ability to train and support staff on compliance, policies, procedures, or data collection best practices.

About the Organization:

• Mission-driven nonprofit focused on protecting and advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities throughout Ohio.
• Provides advocacy and legal support designed to create meaningful impact for individuals and communities across the state.
• Collaborative environment where legal, advocacy, operations, finance, and organizational leadership work together toward shared goals.
• Offers the opportunity to combine sophisticated legal work with executive-level organizational leadership.
• Values thoughtful collaboration, strong listening skills, effective problem-solving, and client-directed advocacy.

What’s in it for You?

• Competitive salary range.
• Hybrid work environment based in Columbus.
• Full-time 35-hour work week.
• Health insurance.
• Employer-paid dental and vision insurance.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching.
• Generous paid time off.
• 14 paid holidays.
• Parental leave.
• Opportunity to use your legal and leadership experience in a role that directly supports a meaningful statewide mission.

Ready to take your career to the next level? Let’s chat - Whether you're interested in this opportunity or exploring other options in Ohio, reach out to Kelsey today:

Call or Text: (380) 210-2527

Email: kross@aspen-careers.com

Join an organization that values advocacy, collaboration, and your impact on the community!