Chief Legal & Director of Risk - Metro
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Vice President, General Counsel & Director of Risk and Compliance
YMCA of Greater Long Beach
Position: Chief Legal & Director of Risk (General Counsel & Director of Risk and Compliance)
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Work Location: On-Site
Branch Location: 4801 Airport Plaza Dr., Suite 400, Long Beach, CA 90815 Website: www.lbymca.org
Target Dates for Selection:
Resumes due: 11/14/2025
On the Job: 1/1/2026
Starting Salary Range/Benefits:
$165,000 – 190,00, plus 12% paid retirement (vested after two years). We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, Paid Vacation and Holidays, and Life Insurance. Plus, employees enjoy complimentary YMCA family membership.
Association and Branch Information:
The YMCA of Greater Long Beach is a $45M organization with 1,100 employees, 350 are full-time. The association has 8 operating units, three traditional YMCA branches offering membership throughout the service area. The Lakewood Family YMCA in Lakewood, CA is the largest facility and went through a complete $5.8M renovation. The other two membership branches in Long Beach are the Fairfield Family YMCA in North Long Beach, and the Los Altos Family YMCA in East Long Beach where they are currently starting a capital campaign to build a new 45,000 sq. ft. facility. In Big Bear, CA the association has a full-service resident camp. In the Bellflower community, the Los Cerritos YMCA offers day camp, aquatics, sports, and afterschool programming. The Early Childhood Education program, funded by the State of California, operates six preschools throughout the Greater Long Beach area. In Downtown Long Beach, the Community Development branch operates the Youth Institute, Change Agent Productions, and the Cambodia Project. Additionally, the association runs twenty-nine afterschool programs spread out across the thirteen cities service area and has support staff in 80 transitional kindergarten Long Beach classrooms.
General Overview:
Serve as the chief legal advisor to the Board of Directors, President & CEO, and senior leadership. Oversee all legal, compliance, and governance matters, while leading the Association’s risk management, safety, and insurance programs. This dual role ensures the YMCA operates within legal parameters, upholds the highest safety standards, and maintains regulatory compliance across all branches and facilities.
Preferred Criteria for Candidates:
· Juris Doctor (JD) and active license to practice law in California
· Bachelor’s degree in a related field
· Minimum 12 years of professional experience in legal practice, corporate governance, risk management, and compliance
· Expertise in OSHA, ADA, Title 22, CA building code, and other relevant safety and employment laws
· Excellent analytical, leadership, and communication skills
· Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 · Ability to travel locally across YMCA locations
Key Focus Areas
· Legal Strategy & Counsel: Serve as the YMCA’s chief legal advisor, providing strategic counsel on contracts, organizational initiatives, investments, and governance matters. Lead resolution of internal legal conflicts and manage relationships with external legal counsel.
· Governance & Policy Oversight: Support the Board of Directors and executive leadership in governance practices, legal compliance, and the development and implementation of organizational policies.
· Risk Management & Safety Leadership: Lead risk mitigation efforts across all branches and facilities, including serious incident investigations, insurance portfolio oversight, and implementation of safety protocols, training, and emergency preparedness.
· Regulatory & Compliance Management: Ensure organizational compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (e.g., OSHA, ADA, Title 22, Cal/OSHA, and nonprofit reporting), and serve as the liaison with regulatory agencies and auditors.
· Data Protection & IT Collaboration: Support internal data protection efforts in coordination with the IT department to maintain secure, compliant, and ethical practices across the association.
· Training, Development & Best Practices: Promote ongoing legal, safety, and compliance training for staff; stay current on laws and industry trends; and contribute expertise to YMCA of the USA committees and peer associations.
· Child Safety & Ethical Culture: Foster a strong culture of child safety, mandated reporting, and organizational integrity by supporting policy adherence, staff accountability, and ethical leadership across all programs.
· Strategic Leadership & Organizational Support: Actively contribute to strategic planning as part of the President’s leadership team, supporting the YMCA’s mission-driven goals and ensuring safe and effective service to the community.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to work in a standard office environment with frequent sitting, standing, and use of a computer.
- Occasional local travel to YMCA branches and off-site meetings
- Must be able to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and in writing.
Living Area:
Long Beach is situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the U.S. The city is the 44th-largest city in the nation and the seventh largest in California. As of 2024, the population was 465,000. The Metropolitan Office is located 9 miles northeast of Downtown Long Beach, centrally located near the Long Beach Airport, the Airport Marriott, close to recreational ocean beaches and marinas. Long Beach is located about 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and 105 miles north of San Diego. Long Beach borders Orange County on its southeast edge. There is an abundance of entertainment, recreation, sports events, cultural activities and educational opportunities nearby. The blend of big city convenience with the friendly, relaxed atmosphere of an ocean side community is unmatched. Area housing costs are average for the Los Angeles/Long Beach area.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The YMCA of Greater Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse and inclusive workforce and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as defined by federal, state, or local law.
Accommodation Statement:
The YMCA of Greater Long Beach will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.
Applications:
Send resumes with references to:
Maribel Hidalgo
YMCA of Greater Long Beach
4801 Airport Plaza Dr. Suite 400
Long Beach, CA 90815
Phone: 562. 279.1651 Fax: 562. 279.1705
Maribel.Hidalgo@lbymca.org