General Counsel
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About Indiana Economic Development Corporation:
Bring your biggest and boldest ideas to life as an employee of the IEDC. We are a fast-paced and forward-thinking team charged with pursuing economic development opportunities for current and future Hoosiers in our state and around the world. Our culture embodies the spirit of being bold and working collaboratively to create the economy of the future.
The IEDC is organized as a public private partnership led by the Secretary of Commerce and governed by a board chaired by the Governor of Indiana.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has been recognzied as one of the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Top Workplaces by Indianapolis Star.
Role Overview:
The General Counsel is a highly experienced legal executive with express proven success navigating the complex legal challenges of an organization undergoing a time-bound turnaround, and helping to stabilize and restore sustained financial and operational health.
The General Counsel will play a critical role in guiding leadership and managing a legal team that will provide first class responsiveness and counsel through a period of significant financial and operational change and thereafter. The General Counsel will advise on all legal matters, including and related to restructuring, risk management, statutory and administrative law compliance, legislation, ethics, employment and personnel issues, audit, litigation, RFPs, contracts and other agreements.
Salary Statement:
The salary range for this position is $145,000 - $165,000 annually.
A Day in the Life:
General Responsibilities
- Advise Leadership, stakeholders and agency partners on legal implications of strategic initiatives.
- Draft, review, and memorialize contracts, MOUs and other documents.
- Provide counsel concerning compliance with federal, state and local law.
- Provide counsel on personnel issues.
- Respond to all public records requests.
- Serve as Ethics Officer.
- Serve as Privacy Officer.
- Serve as Secretary to the IEDC Board of Directors and oversee Open Door Law compliance for all public meetings.
- Build, manage, develop, and mentor the Commerce legal team.
Specific Immediate Duties
- Turnaround Plan Development: Collaborate with other executives and experts to develop and implement a comprehensive, structured plan.
- Strategic Legal Advice: Provide adept legal guidance on all aspects of organizational change, including restructuring, debt, contracts, employment and compliance.
- Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and compliance risks associated with designed processes, such as potential litigation or regulatory issues.
- Compliance: Ensure the agency observes legal and timely adherence to regulations, working deadlines, financial and reporting obligations, and ethical standards.
- Financial Restructuring: Advise on and assist with financial or debt restructuring, including negotiations with vendors, creditors, partners, and/or other stakeholders or counterparts.
- Litigation Management: Manage and advise on any litigation, proceedings or other disputes arising from or related to the turnaround.
- Stakeholder Relations: Manage relationships with key stakeholders, including investors, employees, and regulators.
- Contract Negotiation: Negotiate and review new and/or amended contracts resulting from or related to restructuring decisions, such as those with creditors, lenders, and other entities and parties.
- Legal Team Management: Lead and manage the legal team, ensuring it has the resources and expertise to support operations.
- Business Acumen: Possess a strong understanding of business operations and financial principles, to anticipate and provide aligned legal advice in context.
- Communication & Collaboration: Effectively communicate complex legal issues to both legal and non-legal audiences, and collaborate with other departments and external advisors to ensure uniform messaging.
What You'll Need for Success:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree required.
- Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressive work experience in government, corporate and/or private law firm practice, with at least 5 years in a senior role.
- Key membership on multiple turnaround teams highly preferred.
- Significant prior exposure to a wide range of legal issues, across different areas of law.
- Strong understanding of corporate structure and policy making processes.
- Ability to quickly assess complex situations.
- Ability to make quick and fact-based, objective decisions under pressure.
- Ability to confidently offer statutory and/or case-based guidance for executive decision making.
- Outstanding communication skills. Ability to provide executive-level briefings on legal issues. Able to convey clear and precise messages orally and in writing.
- Ability to build trust and credibility and work collaboratively.
- Excellent negotiation skills.
- Strategic business acumen.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
- Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
- Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 160 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
- Up to 16 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 192 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
Nearest Major Market: Indianapolis
