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 for U.S. operations. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Director of Legal, Governance & Compliance sits on the Executive Leadership Team and provides strategic risk assessment and hands-on legal leadership. The position supports mission-critical growth by navigating complex U.S. regulatory frameworks, protecting the organization’s high-risk operating environment, overseeing enterprise risk monitoring, and managing corporate board governance.

Responsibilities

Legal & Regulatory Oversight

• Act 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, serving as the single point of contact and ensuring cost-effective use of specialized outside resources

Compliance, U.S. Government Awards & Risk Management

• Serve as the legal and compliance lead 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, serving as the formal approver for contracts over $30,000 via the contract management system
• Provide business-minded legal review by translating 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 the organization’s 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, mission-aligned team culture

Required Skills and Experience

• 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 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 eagerness to execute day-to-day legal tasks
• Outstanding communication, cross-functional collaboration, and problem-solving skills; able 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Not specified.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $200,000
• Total compensation package includes health benefits, paid time off (PTO), sick leave, and retirement plan contributions
• Salary offers take into account candidate qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity

Location

Employees must reside in one of the following states or jurisdictions: 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, or current employment status.