General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer
RemoteUnited States
Job Summary
Serve as the chief legal advisor to the President and CEO, providing enterprise-wide legal leadership across global operations, partnerships, and strategic initiatives. Oversee litigation, claims management, and dispute resolution while managing the legal department budget and external counsel relationships. Act as Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors, supporting meeting planning, governance records, and fiduciary obligations. Lead enterprise compliance programs, risk management strategies, and conflict-of-interest administration to ensure adherence to U.S. and international laws. Advise on cybersecurity, data privacy, and emerging regulatory developments affecting higher education and nonprofit organizations. Manage the legal team and navigate complex international legal frameworks for CIEE's centers and programs in 30 countries. This role requires approximately 15% regular domestic and international travel for board meetings and partner engagement.
Required Qualifications
- 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
- Senior leadership roles with significant experience advising boards and executive leadership
- Demonstrated expertise in non-profit governance and compliance
- Demonstrated expertise in corporate law
- Demonstrated expertise in risk management
- Demonstrated expertise in data privacy
- Demonstrated expertise in cyber-security
- Demonstrated expertise in emerging regulatory issues
- Extensive experience with international operations, programs, or global regulatory environments
- Ability to maintain a valid passport
- Clear background check
- Strategic thinker with exceptional judgment, discretion, and the ability to balance legal risk with organizational objectives while upholding the highest level of ethical professionalism
- Self-starter with the ability to operate independently in a global environment
- Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and facilitation skills with the 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
- 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
- Trusted advisor with strong executive presence
- Hard-working, resilient, and adaptable in a dynamic global environment
- Mission-aligned with a commitment to intercultural exchange and education
- Collaborative leader and a good team player with a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach
- Regular domestic and international travel
- Travel expected to comprise approximately 15% of working time
- Valid passport must be maintained at all times
Desired Qualifications
- 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
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