Deputy General Counsel & Chief of Legal Operations (Volunteer)

Mentor A Promise is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5–18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise—full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills. Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework. Our work prioritizes dignity-protective storytelling, consent-driven engagement, and deep community partnership, ensuring that how we serve is as intentional as whom we serve. We are not only addressing immediate needs - we are building pathways to confidence, belonging, and long-term opportunity, so every child has the support and foundation to carry their promise forward.,Deputy General Counsel & Chief of Legal Operations (Volunteer)PromiseTrust | Legal Operations, Governance & Organizational ExcellenceOrganization Mentor A Promise (MAP)Division PromiseTrustLocation Remote / Hybrid (NYC Collaboration as Needed)Type Volunteer Executive Leadership RoleCommitment Approximately 5–10 Hours Per WeekMinimum Commitment 6-Month Commitment RequiredReports To Chief Legal Officer & General CounselWorks Closely With Executive Leadership Team, Board of Directors, Division Chiefs, Outside Counsel, PromiseFinance, PromisePeople, PromiseShield, and Organizational LeadershipAbout Mentor A PromiseMentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization supporting children, youth, and families experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, educational enrichment, social-emotional learning, creative expression, workforce development, housing innovation, and community-centered opportunity.As MAP continues to grow, so does the need for strong legal operations, governance systems, organizational accountability, and institutional stewardship.The legal function at MAP is not simply a support service.It is a strategic partner in protecting the organization, enabling innovation, managing risk, and strengthening long-term sustainability.About PromiseTrustPromiseTrust serves as Mentor A Promise's Legal Division and is responsible forLegal AffairsCorporate GovernanceContracts & AgreementsComplianceRisk ManagementEmployment & Labor RelationsIntellectual PropertyBoard GovernanceLegal OperationsPolicy DevelopmentOrganizational AccountabilityPromiseTrust exists to help ensure MAP operates with integrity, transparency, accountability, and legal excellence while advancing its mission.Role OverviewMentor A Promise is seeking an experienced and highly organized Deputy General Counsel & Chief of Legal Operations to serve as the operational leader of PromiseTrust and the principal deputy to the Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel.This executive leadership role is responsible for the day-to-day management, administration, coordination, and operational effectiveness of the Legal Division.The Deputy General Counsel helps transform legal work into scalable systems, efficient processes, institutional knowledge, and strategic organizational capability.This role oversees the operational infrastructure that allows the Legal Division to function effectively and support MAP's continued growth.The ideal candidate combines legal expertise, operational excellence, project management discipline, and organizational leadership.Core Areas of ResponsibilityLegal OperationsLead the day-to-day operations of the Legal Division byManaging legal workflows and processesDeveloping operational procedures and standardsOverseeing legal intake and request managementTracking legal matters and prioritiesImproving efficiency and responsivenessSupporting strategic planning and reportingServe as the operational backbone of PromiseTrust.Legal Technology & InnovationOversee the division's legal technology ecosystem, includingContract management platformsMatter management systemsE-signature solutionsDocument management systemsLegal workflow automationAI-enabled legal productivity toolsKnowledge repositoriesHelp modernize and scale legal operations through technology.Knowledge ManagementDevelop and maintain institutional legal knowledge systems, includingContract librariesLegal templatesGovernance documentsCompliance resourcesPolicies and proceduresLegal playbooksTraining materialsHelp preserve and strengthen MAP's institutional knowledge.Outside Counsel ManagementCoordinate and manage relationships withPro bono legal partnersLaw firmsSpecialized counselRegulatory advisorsIntellectual property counselEmployment counselReal estate and housing counselSupport engagement, communication, budgeting, and performance management of outside legal resources.Budget AdministrationPartner with PromiseFinance and Legal Leadership toDevelop legal budgetsMonitor expendituresForecast legal expensesTrack outside counsel costsEvaluate vendor spendingImprove resource allocationEnsure strong financial stewardship within the Legal Division.Legal Project ManagementLead legal project management efforts byTracking legal initiativesManaging timelines and deliverablesCoordinating cross-functional projectsMonitoring project progressIdentifying risks and dependenciesSupporting execution of strategic prioritiesHelp ensure legal work is delivered efficiently and effectively.Governance & Board SupportSupport governance operations involvingBoard governance processesCommittee coordinationCorporate records managementOrganizational resolutionsGovernance documentationGovernance reportingHelp strengthen institutional accountability and governance excellence.Cross-Divisional Legal PartnershipCollaborate across MAP divisions, includingPromisePeoplePromiseFinancePromiseShieldPromisePublicPromiseStackPromiseLearningPromiseHousingExecutive LeadershipHelp ensure legal guidance and operational support remain integrated throughout the organization.QualificationsWe welcome candidates from legal, nonprofit, corporate, governance, compliance, and operational leadership backgrounds.Helpful experience may includeLegal OperationsIn-House CounselCorporate LawNonprofit LawGovernanceComplianceContract ManagementRisk ManagementLegal TechnologyProject ManagementStrong candidates often demonstrateExceptional organizational and leadership skillsStrong legal judgmentOperational management expertiseProject management experienceStrategic thinkingProcess improvement capabilitiesExcellent communication skillsJuris Doctor (JD) strongly preferred.Licensed attorney preferred but not required for exceptional legal operations professionals.First-Year PrioritiesWithin the first year, this leader will helpEstablish operational standards for PromiseTrustImplement legal matter and contract tracking systemsBuild a centralized legal knowledge repositoryStrengthen outside counsel management practicesImprove legal project management processesDevelop legal dashboards and reporting systemsEnhance governance documentation and workflowsSupport the continued growth of MAP's legal infrastructureSuccess MeasuresSuccess in this role includesImproved Legal Division efficiencyStrong legal matter tracking and visibilityEffective outside counsel managementWell-maintained legal knowledge systemsStrong project delivery and executionImproved governance supportEffective budget managementIncreased organizational confidence in legal operationsWhy This Role MattersAs organizations grow, legal complexity grows with them.Strong legal leadership requires more than legal expertise.It requires systems.It requires coordination.It requires operational excellence.The Deputy General Counsel & Chief of Legal Operations helps ensure that PromiseTrust operates as a modern, efficient, and strategic legal function capable of supporting MAP's mission and future growth.This role helps transform legal support into institutional strength.What You'll GainExecutive leadership experience within a growing nonprofit organizationOpportunity to help build and scale a best-in-class legal divisionDirect collaboration with executive leadership and board governanceExperience overseeing legal operations, technology, governance, and compliance systemsProfessional references and letters of recommendationMeaningful impact supporting children, youth, and families experiencing housing instabilityHow to ApplyInterested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and submitResume or CVBrief statement of interestRelevant legal, governance, compliance, or operational leadership experiencePlease share experience involvingLegal OperationsGovernanceComplianceContract ManagementLegal TechnologyProject ManagementOrganizational LeadershipHelp build the legal foundation behind the mission.Because strong organizations are built not only through vision—but through governance, accountability, and trust.This role holds the pieces together.From legal operations to governance to execution—help ensure the Legal Division operates with excellence before challenges arise.Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.