Junior Counsel

Third Sector New England, Inc. (TSNE) (tsne.org) is working to build to a more just, equitable society. We do this by providing capacity building services, consulting and training services, and operational support for hundreds of nonprofits, foundations, community-based groups, and others working for social change. We are partners and colleagues working collaboratively to support areas critical for organizations, including  property management, leadership development and support, finance and accounting, human resources, and organizational development. We live by our values as an organization, and are committed to identifying, including, and valuing the unique skills, perspectives and knowledge of each member of our team.

About our Values:

• Justice - A just society is one in which all people have the dignity, resources, power, and self-determination to fully thrive. We seek to create a more just world in all of our work.
• Progress - We commit out resources, expertise, and energy to delivering high quality support and services that make movement toward a more just world possible.
• Impact - We work collaboratively with others to build the capacity and sustainability of organizations who work toward social good.

Under the guidance and oversight of the Contracts Staff Attorney, the Junior Counsel supports the missions of our fiscally sponsored organizations (FSOs) and TSNE as an organization, in a dynamic, fast-paced, team-based environment. The Junior Counsel plays a central role as part of the TSNE team managing the contracting needs of FSOs, as well as TSNE’s other lines of services and internal departments. The Junior Counsel must be able to balance efficient drafting and review of contracts with attention to detail and application of legal principles to promote and protect the missions and legal interests of TSNE and its FSOs. In addition, the Junior Counsel must be customer service oriented, tech savvy, and an effective communicator with both clients and colleagues. The Junior Counsel works with TSNE colleagues to meet the evolving needs of social justice initiatives housed at TSNE.

Essential Functions

Contracts Drafting, Review & Negotiation – 90% 

• Under the supervision of Contracts Staff Attorney, draft, review, and negotiate contracts and grants (including, but not limited to: vendor agreements, leases, fee for service contracts, etc.) on behalf of TSNE’s FSOs and TSNE’s internal programs, teams and departments, ensuring compliance with applicable, laws, regulations (including Uniform Guidance), and TSNE policies, protocols and procedures, and funding terms. 
• Own assigned contracts, ensuring that they make it through all stages of the contracts process, from drafting and negotiation, through signature, within the timeframes established by Legal Team leadership for contract turnaround. 
• Support the Associate Counsel, Contracts, and the Contracts Staff Attorney in the review, update, and development of contracts templates in accordance with changes in applicable law and/or organizational processes/priorities. 
• Effectively communicate and collaborate with FSOs and colleagues as needed during contracts to process to manage expectations, clarify priorities, discuss acceptable modifications, etc. 
• Develop an understanding of the mission and program of FSOs and work to identify and mitigate potential risks within their respective contracts. 
• Work in partnership with other members of the Legal Team to provide excellent client services to TSNE internal teams and FSOs and collaborate across the organization to ensure all stakeholders legal needs are met. 

Contracts Management & Process – 10%  

• Support Contract Team’s efforts, as managed day-to-day by the Contracts Administrator, to keep organization-wide contract records updated in Salesforce and shared drives. 
• Work with Contracts Team and internal constituencies on an on-going basis to evaluate and improve contracts process for the organization. 
• Complete projects related to improving the contracts process, from launch through completion, as assigned by Legal Team leadership.  
• Support and participate in the development of ongoing written guidance and trainings for staff and FSOs, including updates to processes and templates.  

Complete other tasks and projects related to the position, as needed.

Many folks who are impacted by biased professionalism standards, such as women, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and individuals with disabilities, tend to only submit an application if they meet every requirement listed. At TSNE, we are always looking for enthusiastic candidates who are the best fit for the role, both culturally and through experience. If you believe you’d be a good addition to our team, we look forward to your application!

• Law degree from an accredited law school with an active license in good standing to practice law in Massachusetts (REQUIRED); 
• Minimum of 1-3 years of experience negotiating and drafting contracts of all types at substantial volume required; 
• Demonstrable experience with contract management systems; 
• Highly experienced with MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and CRM (Salesforce) programs; 
• Familiarity with contracts management software and the ability to identify and implement technology solutions related to the contracts administration process; 
• Ability to manage and organize multiple projects while paying close attention to detail and meeting deadlines; 
• Ability to provide high level of responsive customer service required; 
• Ability to learn new things quickly; 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including fluency in English are required;  
• Extremely well-organized with excellent attention to detail; 
• Ability to tactfully and diplomatically work through challenging situations with stakeholders; 
• Ability to work as a team player in a fast-paced, diverse environment; 
• Ability to move past challenges and find solutions; 
• Commitment to and enthusiasm for TSNE's mission and to the work of social and economic justice organizations. 

You also believe in and embody our organizational values and the below core competencies:

• Communication – The ability to effectively exchange ideas, concepts, facts, and data with diverse audiences.
• High standard of integrity, ethics, and professionalism – The highest standards of integrity, ethical practices and professionalism are demonstrated in all aspects of work, including interactions with others, decision-making, and the development and delivery of work product. The ability to integrate core values, equity, integrity and accountability throughout all organizational practices.
• Relationship management – The ability to develop and nurture positive, productive relationships with others.
• Collaboration – The ability to collaborate vertically and horizontally throughout the organization and with others.
• Technologically and organizationally functional – Computer skills and demonstrates willingness to learn additional, specific platforms. Also understands and follows the policies and procedures applicable to all staff.

And a strong combination of the following qualifications:

• Soft Skills including exceptional discretion and judgment. Effective verbal and written communication skills with a wide audience. Ability to build productive and successful range of relationships and effectively serve in roles ranging from trusted advisor, teammate, subject matter expert and to coach.
• Demonstrate cultural awareness and some understanding of fostering an inclusive, culturally sensitive, environment. Willing to ask questions, learn, and constructively share and accept feedback. Must be adaptable to a range of audiences and dynamics.
• Just do good work by providing high quality work in fast-paced environment. Strong analytical skills are necessary. Must be flexible and able to manage multiple changing priorities and projects, and be organized and detail oriented. Provide excellent customer service by being on-time and accurate.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described for this position are that of a typical office environment. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time in front of a computer screen is an essential aspect of the position. There may be a need to lift and/or move materials or equipment.

Location: Work will be performed between our office located at the NonProfit Center at 89 South Street, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02111 and your home office. This position is required to be on-site for in-person client engagements and some meetings with TSNE staff, funders, and program participants, which may take place outside of the TSNE office and may require to be on-site more regularly with advanced notice.

Schedule: This position is full-time at 37.5 hours per week and hours are flexible within reason.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation: The salary for this position is $124,500.00/annually, paid bi-weekly at $4,788.46.

Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package including:

• Generous Paid-Time-Off (PTO): twelve paid holidays, three weeks of vacation, one week of personal holiday, and ability to accrue up to 487.5 hours of health leave time for benefited staff.
• 80% Employer-paid, offering some $0 deductible Health Insurance through Harvard Pilgrim along with several low-deductible plans;
• Low-cost Guardian Dental and Vision.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and Dependent Care.
• Employer-paid Life, Long- and Short-Term Disability Insurance.
• Employer-paid Pension and Employee-paid 403b plan through TIAA.
• Up to $1,080.00 in annual commuter subsidy
• $10 monthly cell phone stipend.
• No meetings after noon on Fridays.
• ...and more!

TSNE strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.

TSNE's EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.