General Counsel & Assistant Corporate Secretary

GENERAL COUNSEL & ASSISTANT CORPORATE SECRETARY

About Father Joe’s Villages

For more than 75 years, Father Joe’s Villages has worked to prevent and end homelessness, one life at a time. As Southern California’s largest homeless services provider, we are a cornerstone of the San Diego social services landscape and a trusted partner in delivering housing, healthcare, and supportive services to individuals and families in crisis.

With approximately 500 employees and an annual operating budget of $75M, our organization serves more than 12,000 individuals annually, including approximately 2,000 people housed each night across our shelter and housing network.

Our work is delivered in a highly complex, multi-program environment spanning housing, healthcare, behavioral health, employment services, and education—supported by a diverse portfolio of public funding, government contracts, grants, and philanthropic investment. This creates a sophisticated regulatory, compliance, and risk landscape that requires disciplined governance and strong enterprise legal leadership.

Leadership and Culture

Father Joe’s Villages is led by a highly engaged Board and Executive Leadership Team committed to innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement in service of our mission. Under the leadership of our CEO, Deacon Jim Vargas, the organization has strengthened its operational and financial foundation while expanding its ability to deliver integrated housing, healthcare, and supportive services to the community.

Our culture is grounded in our CREED, which guides how we work with clients, colleagues, and partners every day: Compassion, Respect, Empathy, Empowerment, and Dignity. This values-driven methodology shapes both our services and our approach to leadership, collaboration, and decision-making across the organization.

The Opportunity

Father Joe’s Villages is seeking a General Counsel & Assistant Corporate Secretary to serve as its chief legal officer and a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to the President & CEO.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a visible, enterprise-level legal leadership role at a mission-driven organization operating at scale and complexity. The General Counsel will play a critical role in safeguarding the organization, strengthening governance, and enabling sound decision-making across all areas of operations.

This position is ideal for a seasoned legal executive who is drawn to mission-driven work, organizational complexity, and the opportunity to modernize and strengthen legal and compliance infrastructure within a dynamic nonprofit environment.

Key Areas of Impact

Executive Leadership and Strategic Counsel

• Serve as primary legal advisor to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and Boards of Directors
• Provide legal and risk guidance on organizational strategy, operations, and major initiatives
• Support high-impact transactions and enterprise decision-making

Corporate Governance and Board Leadership

• Serve as Assistant Corporate Secretary to two Boards of Directors
• Advise on governance, fiduciary duties, and nonprofit best practices
• Oversee Board and committee documentation and processes

Employment and Labor Law

• Lead enterprise employment law strategy and workplace investigations
• Advise on employee relations, discipline, termination, accommodations, and leave matters
• Manage agency claims and employment litigation with outside counsel

Contracts, Compliance and Enterprise Risk

• Oversee contracts, grants, leases, and complex agreements
• Lead contract and grant compliance across funding sources
• Serve as HIPAA Privacy and Security Officer
• Develop enterprise-wide legal, compliance, and risk frameworks

Litigation, Claims and Insurance

• Direct litigation and claims strategy across multiple operational areas
• Oversee insurance programs and risk mitigation strategies
• Partner with insurers and outside counsel on resolution and exposure management

Real Estate and Transactions

• Provide legal oversight for acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, and financing
• Advise on property-related compliance and operational risk

Legal Department Leadership

• Lead and develop the Legal and Compliance function
• Supervise legal and compliance staff
• Manage budget and outside counsel relationships
• Build scalable legal infrastructure and systems

The Ideal Candidate

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active membership in the California State Bar in good standing
• 10–12+ years of progressive legal experience, including significant depth in corporate governance, employment law, contracts, compliance, and litigation
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership role advising executives and Boards of Directors
• Experience in nonprofit, healthcare, housing, or similarly regulated, multi-funding environments strongly preferred

In addition, the ideal candidate will bring:

• Strong executive judgment with the ability to balance legal risk, operational realities, and mission impact
• Proven ability to advise senior leaders and Boards in complex, high-stakes environments
• Sophisticated understanding of enterprise risk management and regulatory compliance in multi-program organizations
• Ability to operate with independence, discretion, and sound decision-making in ambiguous or fast-moving situations
• A collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to legal leadership that enables - not obstructs - mission delivery

Work Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt executive leadership position.

The role is primarily hybrid, with a combination of onsite and remote work depending on organizational needs. Standard business hours are expected, with the understanding that executive-level responsibilities may require flexibility, including occasional evenings, early mornings, or weekends to support Board meetings, urgent legal matters, litigation needs, or operational issues.

The role includes occasional travel within San Diego County to program sites, properties, and external meetings.

Compensation And Benefits

Starting Salary Range: $200,000 to $225,000 annually (commensurate with experience and qualifications) Father Joe’s Villages offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan
• Generous paid time off plan and company holidays
• Employee assistance and wellness programs
• Professional development opportunities
• Additional voluntary benefits

Why Join Father Joe’s Villages

At Father Joe’s Villages, legal and compliance leadership plays a critical role in sustaining programs that support individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The Legal Department partners closely with executive leadership and the Board to ensure strong governance, sound risk management, and responsible stewardship of resources.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization where legal strategy directly supports the delivery of housing, healthcare, and supportive services to thousands of individuals each year.

Employment Requirements

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre- and post-employment requirements, which may include background screening, verification of education, licensure, and professional credentials, health screenings where applicable, and any other role-specific requirements. These checks are conducted following a conditional offer of employment and in accordance with organizational policies and regulatory standards.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Father Joe’s Villages is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law.