General Counsel - Us Based Remote Opportunity

About Us

Do you have a passion for higher education? Do you want to make a positive impact on the college admissions process? Our staff help to remove barriers and encourage students to forge their path to a better future. Common App is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year we support more than 1 million students, one-third of whom are first-generation, as they apply to our more than 900 diverse member colleges & universities using the Common App's free online application.

If you are an experienced corporate legal professional and want to be part of a mission-driven non-profit that uses innovative technology to advance the college admission process, Common App may be a great match for you. Common App is currently searching for a General Counsel.

Responsibilities

The General Counsel (GC) will oversee all legal affairs and regulatory matters of The Common Application. The GC will serve as a counselor and valued business partner who advises the organization, its leaders, and staff on a wide spectrum of legal and compliance issues; thoughtfully managing risk and protecting the organization and its personnel while maintaining a solutions-oriented approach to both legal and business issues.

The GC reports to the Chief Operating Officer but also has a dotted-line reporting relationship with the President/CEO and the Board of Directors. The GC has significant interaction with all levels of management as well as third parties, providing a broad array of legal advice and organizing the use of outside counsel, as needed, in support of the Common App’s activities and long-term strategy

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

This role requires:

• Excellent judgment and discretion.
• Experience in data- and information-intensive environments, with an understanding of the challenges and legal support needs of the organization.
• Superior written and verbal communications skills.
• Solid business acumen with sound judgment and the ability to provide business partners at every level with timely and appropriately risk-balanced advice and guidance.
• A cross functional collaborator who encourages and builds consensus, easily gains trust and support of senior leadership and peers, finds common ground and solves problems with diligence, creativity and flexibility.
• Experience with laws governing practices in not for profit, Technology and Higher education is strongly desired, either from private practice or in-house counsel position.
• A team-oriented professional, who multi-tasks and prioritizes well, takes initiative, is capable of leading projects and who can work effectively both independently and with others.
• A strong work ethic and willingness to work with others across the organization to advance the mission.
• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school as well as admission to and good standing in a U.S. state bar.
• Candidates must live in the United States.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• 8-10 years of experience in providing counsel in the education industry or not-for-profit sector.
• A passion for higher education is a plus.

Benefits

Common App is a virtual first environment. We value our employees’ time and efforts. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by our competitive salary and an extensive benefits package including:

• Stipends (virtual office set up and monthly remote work support)
• Future growth opportunities within the organization
• Sick Leave (15 days per year)
• Life + AD&D (100% employer paid)
• Short + Long Term Disability (100% employer paid)
• Healthcare
• Floating Holidays (9 days to be used at employee’s discretion)
• Additional Voluntary Life + AD&D insurance available
• Medical (2 plan options with Cigna including an option for 100% employee coverage)
• Vision benefits (plan with Cigna offering 100% employee coverage)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Added compensation
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with annual employer contribution starting at $1,500 or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), depending on plan election
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 5% employer contribution + additional 5% employer match
• Vacation Leave (starting at 10 days per year)
• Dental (plan with MetLife offering 100% employee coverage)
• Paid Holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving Day)

We work to maintain the best possible environment for our staff, where people can learn and grow. We strive to provide a diverse, collaborative, team-oriented, creative environment where each person feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning, and culture.

How Do i Apply

To apply for this opportunity, send your resume and cover letter with salary expectations.