General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer

Overview

This role provides enterprise-wide legal leadership for a nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization. Reporting to the President and CEO, the General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer also serves as Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors and is accountable to the Board of Directors. The position supports governance, risk management, compliance, and legal affairs across domestic and international programs and operations.

Responsibilities

Strategic Legal Leadership

• Serve as the chief legal advisor to the President and CEO and provide practical, business-oriented legal counsel to executive leadership and organizational stakeholders.
• Advise on legal matters impacting domestic and international operations, including nonprofit governance, employment, regulatory compliance, contracts, intellectual property, data privacy, international activities, and risk management.
• Provide legal support for strategic initiatives, partnerships, acquisitions, divestitures, investments, and new business opportunities.
• Oversee litigation, claims management, investigations, and dispute resolution matters.
• Manage the legal department budget and relationships with external legal counsel to ensure cost-effective delivery of legal services.
• Monitor and anticipate emerging legal and regulatory developments affecting higher education, international education, nonprofit organizations, international exchange programs, data privacy, and global operations.

Governance & Board Relations

• As Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors, support board operations, including meeting planning and attendance, oversight of governance records and structures, policies and official corporate actions, and related committee work.
• Advise leadership and the board on corporate governance best practices, nonprofit compliance, conflicts of interest administration, related-party transactions, corporate policies and procedures, and nonprofit fiduciary obligations.
• Ensure governance practices remain aligned with organizational needs and evolving nonprofit laws and standards.

Global Operations Support

• Provide legal oversight and guidance related to international centers, foreign entities, partnerships, and activities.
• Deliver legal strategy and compliance support for global study abroad, exchange, and educational programs.
• Navigate international legal frameworks, including regulatory, immigration, tax, data privacy, employment, and contractual matters.
• Monitor and mitigate cross-border risk while enabling program growth and innovation.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Lead and oversee enterprise compliance programs and support enterprise risk management initiatives and strategies.
• Oversee conflict-of-interest administration and related governance compliance processes.
• Promote ethical business practices and a culture of accountability.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant U.S. and international laws and regulations.
• Support internal investigations and compliance reviews as appropriate.
• Assist leadership in navigating geopolitical, regulatory, and operational risks associated with global programming.
• Advise on cybersecurity, data privacy, artificial intelligence, technology governance, and related regulatory developments.
• Support development of policies and governance frameworks addressing emerging technologies and digital innovation.
• Partner with technology and operational leaders to identify and manage technology-related risks.

Contracts & Transactions

• Oversee drafting, review, and negotiation of contracts, partnerships, and strategic agreements.
• Advise on corporate transactions, joint ventures, and international partnerships.

Leadership & Operations

• Build, lead, and mentor an effective legal team (internal and external counsel).
• Manage the legal budget and outside counsel relationships.
• Promote a culture of legal awareness, ethics, and accountability across the organization.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar in good standing.
• Minimum 15+ years of progressive legal experience, including senior leadership roles with significant experience advising boards and executive leadership.
• Demonstrated expertise in nonprofit governance and compliance, corporate law, risk management, data privacy, cyber-security, and emerging regulatory issues.
• Extensive experience with international operations, programs, or global regulatory environments.
• Ability to maintain a valid passport and clear background check in connection with international visa requirements.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinker with exceptional judgment, discretion, and ability to balance legal risk with organizational objectives while upholding the highest level of ethical professionalism.
• Self-starter able to operate independently in a global environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and facilitation skills; ability to influence, coach, and mentor teams at the highest level.
• Experience advising senior executives and boards of directors.
• Experience managing outside counsel and complex legal matters.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, Deputy /Associate Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary, or equivalent senior leadership role.
• Experience supporting international organizations, educational institutions, foundations, associations, or globally operating nonprofit organizations.
• Familiarity with nonprofit tax-exempt rules, including executive compensation, intermediate sanctions, conflict of interest administration, immigration law, related cross-border legal issues, and governance frameworks addressing emerging technologies and digital.
• Experience interacting with federal agencies, regulators, and government stakeholders.
• Experience working in or advising nonprofit organizations or complex mission-based enterprises.
• Experience supporting enterprise risk management, governance modernization, and Board development initiatives.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive total rewards package; benefits are described as increasing total compensation by up to 25%.
• Paid time off and Parental leave.
• Gym Reimbursement Program.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Short-term & Long-term Disability.
• 6 floating Fridays (based on eligibility rules).
• Study abroad program discounts.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer contribution.
• Insurance coverage (life, travel, medical, dental, and vision).
• Flexible Spending Accounts/Health Savings Accounts (medical and dependent).
• Voluntary Benefits (identity theft protection, pet insurance, accident, and critical illness).

Location

• US Remote.
• Regular domestic and international travel is required to support organizational operations, board meetings, partner engagement, and leadership initiatives.
• Travel expected to be approximately 15% of working time, including attendance at global leadership meetings, regional conferences, periodic board meetings, and visits to international program offices.
• Travel schedule will vary based on organizational priorities.
• A valid passport must be maintained at all times.

Employment Conditions

A background check, reference check, and education and employment verification will be conducted as conditions of employment.