Convergent Research General Counsel

Overview

A non-profit science organization is seeking a General Counsel to serve as a strategic partner to senior leadership. This role involves owning the legal function at the enterprise level, setting intellectual property (IP) and risk strategy, managing a growing legal team, and providing proactive legal guidance across a complex portfolio of entities and activities. The General Counsel will be a member of the senior leadership team and will oversee relationships with outside counsel.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the overall legal and risk framework for the organization and its subsidiary entities.
• Advise the President/CEO and leadership team on significant legal, regulatory, and structural matters proactively.
• Lead IP strategy and governance across the portfolio, including decisions on filing, protection, licensing, and spinouts.
• Manage and develop the internal legal team, including a General Counsel for subsidiary entities and contracts counsel.
• Oversee relationships with outside counsel across multiple specialties, negotiating rates and ensuring value.
• Ensure compliance with 501(c)(3) regulations and monitor exempt organization activities to prevent IRS issues.
• Navigate international and regulatory complexities, including GDPR, OFAC, anti-bribery laws, and government contracts.
• Participate early in deal strategy for complex transactions such as spinouts, licensing agreements, and partnerships.
• Build legal systems, templates, and playbooks to enable scalable and efficient legal operations.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and active bar membership in at least one U.S. state.
• Minimum of 10 years of legal practice, with a foundation in corporate or commercial law.
• Experience managing complex deal structures and legal volume.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit law, including 501(c)(3) compliance and exempt organization regulations, or ability to quickly gain this expertise.
• Proactive approach to risk management and compliance.
• Skilled in managing outside counsel and optimizing legal spend.
• Comfortable working with complex organizational structures including multiple subsidiaries, international entities, government contracts, and IP licensing.
• Excellent communication skills, able to provide clear, actionable legal advice to non-lawyers.
• Proven leadership and relationship-building skills, with experience managing legal teams and collaborating with executive leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the research or nonprofit sector.
• Familiarity with intellectual property strategy and patent portfolio management.
• Experience with international regulatory frameworks and cross-border legal issues.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary benchmarked to experience and location.
• Up to 6% 401(k) match.
• Comprehensive medical insurance options with most employee and family premiums fully covered.
• Dental and vision insurance with company-covered premiums.
• Company-paid life insurance, AD&D, long- and short-term disability insurance, plus voluntary supplemental options.
• 19 holidays including a week off between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.
• Three weeks of paid time off with increases based on tenure, plus separate sick and parental leave.
• Fertility benefits and childcare reimbursement.
• Education and professional development support.
• Wellness allowance for fitness and wellness activities.
• Quarterly offsite team retreats and additional opportunities for in-person meetings.
• Support for fully remote work.

Location

Remote work supported; specific location details not provided.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The organization is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, ethnicity, nationality, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Harassment of any kind is strictly prohibited.

Additional Information

Artificial intelligence tools may be used to assist in the hiring process, such as reviewing applications and analyzing resumes. These tools support but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are made by humans.