FTE: 1.0  

FLSA Status: Exempt 

This position is benefits eligible 

Reports to General Counsel 

Summary 

Staff Counsel will help oversee legal and policy compliance for the Colorado State University Foundation, helping to ensure the Foundation remains a trusted university partner, prudent fiduciary, and conscientious steward of the philanthropic support benefiting Colorado State University now and for generations to come. As Staff Counsel, this individual will also lead and manage the compliance-minded gift agreement and administration team.  

This unique position requires intellectual curiosity and the aptitude and initiative to stay fluent in emerging and varied legal issues while leveraging strong interpersonal relationship skills to build rapport and help guide foundation leadership, university partners, donors, and other stakeholders toward outcomes that optimize charitable impact on CSU and its students, advance the missions of the Foundation and CSU, and align with the vision and priorities of university leadership.  

The ideal candidate will be an experienced attorney with excellent leadership qualities, ethical decision-making and lawyering acumen, and the ability to flex in this role, innovate, and enhance efficiencies across roles and teams.   

At the CSU Foundation, we believe in delivering excellence while fostering a positive and fulfilling work environment. Our intentionally lean, and therefore nimble, team is committed to achieving our goals while enjoying the journey alongside great colleagues. If you have the requisite experience and skills, value the critical roles donor generosity and higher education play in the lives of students and in the world, and are excited to develop a career as foundation counsel, we want to hear from you.   

This is a hybrid position based in Fort Collins, Colorado. The CSU Foundation offers a competitive benefits package and a dynamic, mission serving environment with “people” as its core value.  

Essential Functions: 

Legal Counsel and Compliance 

• Provide legal counsel to Foundation’s executive team and staff  
• Work closely with Foundation’s general counsel to identify legal and reputational risks, proactively advise the Foundation on risk mitigation strategies, problem solve, and provide flex and cover when needed to ensure all gift administration and legal priorities have the attention of counsel 
• Help support the board of directors and committees in fulfilling their fiduciary duties and responsibilities 
• Facilitate and ensure the legal acceptance and administration of various types of gifts benefiting the University, ranging from grants to trust and estate gifts to the liquidation of real property and mineral interest gifts 
• Oversee gift and fund audits and resolve any modification and compliance issues 
• Review, draft, amend, and negotiate contracts, gift agreements, governing documents, and policies  
• Maintain an excellent working relationship with university counsel, outside counsel, and other stakeholders 
• Stay abreast of legal and policy developments 
• Develop a strong peer network of counsel 

 Management of Gift Administration & Legal Team 

• Lead and manage a team of gift administration and agreement specialists, providing guidance and support while fostering a collaborative and positive work environment, teamwork, and professional development  
• Collaborate with internal departments and campus partners to ensure legal and policy compliance and alignment with Foundation and University missions, priorities, values, and goals  
• Liaise with University Advancement leadership, directors of development, and campus stakeholders to address questions elevated by the Foundation’s agreement specialists and to help facilitate successful resolution of sensitive donor situations and complex gifts 
• Train the gift administration team on legal and policy updates and foundation best practices to ensure thoughtful gift discussions and compliant gift documentation 
• Oversee the creation of ongoing legal and gift administration resources and training tools for foundation staff, university development officers, and other campus partners 
• Model effective organization and time management to consistently meet deadlines and expectations 
• Other duties as assigned 

 Minimum Qualifications: 

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school 
• Active license to practice law in Colorado and in good standing with the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation OR eligible for admission on motion within a time frame that meets the Foundation’s position needs 
• Minimum of two years of experience practicing law 
• High emotional intelligence and exceptional interpersonal skills 
• Demonstrated ability to make hard but well-researched and reasoned calls and do so with tact and a commitment to safeguarding donor and campus relationships 
• Strict adherence to donor confidentiality and other professional discretion  
• Strong legal research, writing, and problem-solving skills 
• Dependable, accountable, and self-motivated to secure optimal results  
• Ability to pass a criminal background check, with opportunity to disclose evidence of successful rehabilitation for the Foundation’s hiring consideration 

 Preferred Qualifications: 

• Practice experience in the areas of tax, corporate, contract, non-profit, trust and estate, and human resources law 
• Working knowledge of UPMIFA, foundation governance, tax-exempt status, and compliance requirements 

Compensation & Benefits 

Starting salary range $100,000 – $125,000. Commensurate with experience.  Benefits include health, dental, vision and group life insurance, sick time, vacation leave, and opportunity to participate in 401(a) and 403(b) retirement plans. 

To Apply 

Please send cover letter, resume, and references (one of which must be a current or former supervisor) to CSUF_hiring@mail.colostate.edu.  References will not be contacted without prior notification to the candidate.  For complete consideration, please submit materials by May 1, 2024. 

Conditions of Employment 

This is a full-time, hybrid, exempt position. Targeted start date is July 1, 2024. 

CSUF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) it is our policy to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause undue hardship.