Overview
The organization is seeking a General Legal Counsel to serve as the primary legal officer and advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, Senior Leadership Team, and Board of Directors. This role provides strategic, practical, and mission-aligned legal guidance across the organization while safeguarding legal integrity, governance standards, and long-term sustainability. Reporting directly to the CEO, the General Legal Counsel plays a critical role in managing risk thoughtfully and ensuring compliance without impeding innovation or mission delivery.
Responsibilities
- Advise the CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Board of Directors on all legal, regulatory, and governance matters.
- Provide proactive, solution-oriented legal counsel across organizational functions including operations, human resources, finance, programming, contracts, partnerships, and risk management.
- Draft, review, negotiate, and oversee a broad range of legal agreements such as vendor and service contracts, faculty agreements, licensing and sponsorship agreements, waivers, releases, NDAs, and partnership arrangements.
- Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including nonprofit governance, employment and labor law, health and safety, privacy, and reporting obligations.
- Partner with Human Resources to advise on employment-related matters including policy development, investigations, disciplinary actions, performance management, and terminations, emphasizing fairness, consistency, and risk mitigation.
- Support and strengthen governance practices including Board and committee operations, bylaws, corporate filings, policies, and adherence to nonprofit best practices.
- Manage relationships with outside counsel and specialized advisors, ensuring appropriate use, cost discipline, and alignment with organizational priorities.
- Identify, assess, and manage legal and operational risk, providing clear recommendations that balance legal exposure with the organization’s mission, values, and operational realities.
- Advise on real estate, land use, environmental, and regulatory matters related to the campus and long-term stewardship obligations.
- Collaborate with leadership to develop, review, and implement organizational policies and procedures promoting accountability, ethical conduct, and operational clarity.
- Contribute to strategic planning and organizational decision-making by identifying legal implications of new initiatives, programs, partnerships, and revenue models.
- Maintain the highest standards of professional ethics, confidentiality, and discretion.
- Approach all legal matters with a pragmatic, business-minded perspective focused on maintaining the organization’s mission.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active license to practice law in California.
- 7–10+ years of progressively responsible legal experience with demonstrated ownership of complex legal matters.
- Significant experience in nonprofit, mission-driven, or values-based organizations, or equivalent in-house experience supporting executive decision-making.
- Expertise in nonprofit governance and compliance, contract drafting and negotiation, employment and labor law, risk assessment and mitigation, and regulatory compliance.
- Proven ability to advise senior leadership and boards by translating legal risk into clear, practical options.
- Strong business and operational judgment with a track record of enabling progress while protecting the organization.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence without authority and deliver difficult guidance clearly and constructively.
- High ethical standards, discretion, and emotional intelligence, especially when handling sensitive personnel, governance, or reputational matters.
- Ability to operate independently as the primary legal authority, managing priorities and workload effectively and knowing when to escalate or engage outside counsel.
Flexibility
This job description is not exhaustive and duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time based on organizational needs.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit for extended periods, engage in sustained computer-based work, participate in meetings, and occasionally navigate campus terrain including uneven surfaces.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $120,000 - $140,000 per year, commensurate with experience.
- Generous benefits package including medical and dental insurance and paid time off.
- Opportunities for personal and professional development through a variety of programs designed by faculty and staff.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The organization provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Use of AI in Hiring
Artificial intelligence tools may be used to support parts of the hiring process such as reviewing applications and assessing responses. These tools assist the recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are made by humans.