Sr. Director Legal, Governance and Compliance at Plan International

Overview

This role serves as the organization’s sole in-house counsel, governance advisor, and compliance lead. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and sitting on the Executive Team, the Senior Director of Legal, Governance & Compliance provides strategic risk assessment and hands-on legal leadership.

Responsibilities

Legal & Regulatory Oversight

• Serve as the sole in-house counsel, providing strategic guidance to the CEO and senior leadership on ongoing operational and legal matters
• Provide expert counsel on 501(c)(3) tax law, federal and state charitable regulations, charitable solicitations, lobbying restrictions, and donor compliance
• Manage external legal counsel engagements as the single point of contact, ensuring cost-effective use of specialized outside resources

Compliance, U.S. Government Awards & Risk Management

• Lead legal and compliance oversight for U.S. government foreign assistance awards, subawards, subcontracts, and federal assistance requirements (Code of Federal Regulations)
• Lead enterprise risk management initiatives, establishing clear standards, monitoring operational risk, and integrating risk discussions into regular leadership agendas
• Maintain and oversee the internal incident reporting log for fraud, safeguarding, and legal allegations, ensuring proper documentation, investigation, and escalation
• Oversee legal compliance for corporate partnerships, marketing, data privacy, and information governance

Contracts & Operations

• Draft, revise, and negotiate contracts across teams
• Serve as the formal approver for contracts over $30,000 via the contract management system
• Translate complex legal context into actionable risk assessments that enable fundraising and strategic goals

Board Governance & Executive Leadership

• Perform the duties of Assistant Corporate Secretary, advising the Board Chair, CEO, and committee chairs on governance best practices
• Professionalize board operations by managing committee workplans, board member recruitment processes, standing policies, and updates to Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
• Prepare agendas, attend board and committee meetings, frame precise resolutions, and oversee accurate minute-taking and official record retention
• Direct the Executive Assistant in executing board-related meeting logistics and administrative support

Federation Relations & Team Leadership

• Partner with Global Headquarters legal and partnership teams to navigate member agreements, global data sharing, and complex international partner dynamics
• Directly supervise the Compliance Manager, fostering a collaborative, hands-on, and mission-aligned team culture

Requirements

• 7+ years of legal experience, with at least 3 years in-house or at a law firm serving non-profit organizations
• Deep technical knowledge of 501(c)(3) regulations, state/federal charitable solicitation laws, and non-profit tax compliance
• Direct experience with U.S. government foreign assistance awards, federal grants, cooperative agreements, subawards, and federal procurement rules
• Proven track record advising executive leadership and a Board of Directors, managing committee processes, drafting corporate resolutions, and supporting board recruitment
• Experience navigating complex federated, membership, or matrixed organizational structures (or transferable experience in complex, multi-entity environments)
• A self-motivated “doer” who balances high-level strategic advisory skills with an eagerness to execute day-to-day legal tasks
• Outstanding communication, cross-functional collaboration, and problem-solving skills; ability to balance legal compliance with strategic organizational growth
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited law school with active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $200,000
• Comprehensive total compensation package inclusive of health benefits, paid time off (PTO), sick leave, and retirement plan contributions
• Salary offers are determined using factors including candidate qualifications and experience, and internal equity

Location

Employees must reside in one of the following states: Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.