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Senior Legal Counsel

US-VA-Arlington

Join AIR as a Senior Legal Counsel and use your experience and expertise to help us deliver on our mission: to generate and use rigorous evidence that contributes to a better, more equitable world for all.

The Senior Legal Counsel will serve as a strategic legal advisor, offering broad guidance across organizational matters, managing legal risk, supporting compliance and governance, and fostering collaboration with internal teams and external counsel. This role is for a legal generalist with deep expertise in at least one of the following areas: labor and employment law, government contracts, data privacy, nonprofit corporate governance, or tax-exempt organizations. The Senior Legal Counsel will report to the Chief Legal Officer. The successful candidate will bring a collaborative mindset, strategic thinking, and the ability to earn trust across a wide range of stakeholder groups. 

This is a hybrid position that requires the individual to work from AIR’s Arlington, Virginia office one to two days per week.

About AIR

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. Mission-focused and evidence-driven, AIR applies rigorous research and technical expertise to close gaps in opportunity and access, improving lives across communities and systems.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities for the position include:

  • Provide legal guidance across a broad range of issues affecting the organization. 
  • Serve as a strategic partner to internal teams, helping define the role of legal in business operations. 
  • Assess legal risks and present practical, solution-oriented advice. 
  • Draft, review, and negotiate corporate resolutions, contracts, policies and other legal documents. 
  • Support compliance efforts and corporate governance initiatives. 
  • Collaborate with external counsel as needed. 
  • Stay current on relevant legal developments and proactively advise the organization.
  • Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time based on business needs.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school  and at least 15 years of relevant experience. 
  • Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction. 
  • Minimum of 12 years of legal experience in private practice, government, or in-house settings. 
  • Prior in-house legal experience strongly preferred. 
  • Demonstrated depth in at least one of the following areas: 
    • Labor and employment law
    • Government contracts 
    • Data privacy
    • Copyright and trademark
    • Nonprofit corporate governance 
    • Tax-exempt organizations 
  • Strong understanding of legal risk management, compliance, and corporate governance. 
  • Experience addressing legal issues associated with government contracts or grants. 
  • Experience collaborating with external counsel and cross-functional teams.

Skills:

  • Strategic thinking and problem-solving with the ability to present practical, solution-oriented advice.
  • Sophistication in defining the role of legal within a business context and fostering collaboration.
  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
  • Ability to quickly earn trust and build credibility across a wide range of stakeholder groups.
  • High level of professional integrity and discretion. 
  • Proficient in using standard Microsoft 365, including OneDrive, SharePoint, Excel (advanced), Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Disclosures:

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks.

AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.org or call 202.403.5000.

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#LI-MP1 #LI-Hybrid

AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.

Anticipated Annual Salary Range

$195,000 - $250,000 USD

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