Chief Government & Legal Affairs Officer

### The Chief Government & Legal Affairs Officer

The Chief Government & Legal Affairs Officer is a key leadership role at CICOA, responsible for managing and advancing CICOA’s government relations, public policy initiatives, and legal affairs in alignment with the organization’s mission to serve older adults and individuals with disabilities. The incumbent will act as a strategic advisor to the CEO and other executives, ensuring that CICOA remains informed of legislative and regulatory changes, and will support public policy campaigns that drive innovation and improve service delivery.

### Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

#### Government Affairs

– Develop and maintain relationships with federal, state, and local legislative, regulatory, and executive branches, and various associations and agencies in coordination with the CEO.

– Track and routinely report on legislative and regulatory issues impacting CICOA’s mission, providing insights and recommendations to senior leadership.

– Lead or support public policy initiatives and campaigns that align with CICOA’s strategic goals.

– Collaborate with Wrinkle Innovation to design and implement public policy initiatives that facilitate the incubation of innovative services and solutions.

– Monitor public policy trends, ensuring Wrinkle Innovation is informed of developments that may influence products, services, or business strategies.

#### Legal Affairs

– Provide strategic legal education, intelligence, and advocacy on issues related to CICOA’s goals and initiatives. This includes offering legal perspectives on legislative, regulatory, or business-related matters.

– Support CICOA leadership and departments in identifying and resolving legal and regulatory challenges, ensuring compliance with state and federal guidelines.

– Manage relationships with outside legal counsel while maintaining a distinct boundary from the Compliance Officer’s responsibilities.

– Provide legal expertise and analysis, but not legal opinions. See the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys.

### Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

– At least 10 years of leadership experience in social services, with a preference for experience in both government and provider settings.

– Strong familiarity with Indiana government operations and processes.

– Experience in social and government services outside of senior services.

– Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.

– Extensive public policy and legal experience within the social services sector.

### Education and/or Experience

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.

### Skills and Qualifications

– Proven ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and advocate for policy changes that benefit vulnerable populations.

– Strong collaboration and partnership-building skills, especially with government officials, external stakeholders, and internal teams.

– Excellent communication, negotiation, and strategic planning abilities.

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