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General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer

Council on International Educational Exchange • Full-time • Remote (United States) • max $350k / year • 3w ago

Position: General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer

Reports to: President and CEO

Accountable to: Board of Directors

Department: Executive

Location: US Remote

Who we are:

CIEE is a non-profit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization that transforms lives and builds bridges between individuals and nations through study abroad and international exchange experiences that help people develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and multi-cultural world.

Why work with us:

You will change the world. CIEE builds bridges between people, countries, and cultures. We help young people participate in high-quality international exchange and study abroad programs that bring the world together. We change lives; our alumni change the world. Be part of the change!
You will receive a competitive total rewards package. CIEE provides all employees with exceptional benefits offerings that increase total compensation by up to 25%. Our top-tier benefits include:
Paid time off and Parental leave
Gym Reimbursement Program
Employee Assistance Program
Short-term & Long-term Disability
6 floating Fridays (based on our eligibility rules)
CIEE Study Abroad Program discounts
403(b) Retirement Plan with employer contribution
Insurance Coverage (life, travel, medical, dental, and vision)
Flexible Spending Accounts/Health Savings Accounts (medical and dependent)
Voluntary Benefits (identity theft protection, pet insurance, accident, and critical illness)
You will be part of a fast-paced, international, and collaborative team of professionals. CIEE operates the largest nonprofit network of study-abroad locations, with facilities and staff in 30 countries. Additionally, we help international participants from over 140 countries come to the USA each year. Committed to excellence and solving whatever problem the world throws at them, CIEE professionals work on international teams and are dedicated to advancing our almost 80-year-old mission to make the world a more peaceful place.

Who you are:

CIEE, Inc. seeks a highly experienced, strategic, and mission-driven General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer to serve as the organization’s primary advisor on governance, risk management, compliance, and legal affairs. Reporting directly to the President and CEO, the General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer will also serve as the Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors and provide enterprise-wide legal leadership across a global portfolio of programs and operations while supporting effective governance practices across the organization.

As a member of the executive leadership team, the General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer will play a key role in supporting organizational strategy, managing enterprise risk, strengthening governance frameworks, and fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and compliance.

This is a senior executive role requiring deep expertise in corporate governance, international operations, and risk management. The ideal candidate is a self-starter and trusted advisor with exceptional judgment, integrity, and discretion, capable of operating effectively in a complex, global, and mission-oriented environment.

This position requires regular domestic and international travel to support organizational operations, board meetings, partner engagement, and leadership initiatives. Travel is expected to comprise approximately 15% of working time, including attendance at global leadership meetings, regional conferences, periodic board meetings, and visits to international program offices. The travel schedule will vary based on organizational priorities, and as such, a valid passport must be maintained at all times.

What you’ll do:

Strategic Legal Leadership

Serve as the chief legal advisor to the President and CEO and provide practical, business-oriented legal advice to CIEE executive leadership and organizational stakeholders.
Advise on legal matters affecting domestic and international operations, including nonprofit governance, employment, regulatory compliance, contracts, intellectual property, data privacy, international activities, and risk management.
Provide legal support for strategic initiatives, partnerships, acquisitions, divestitures, investments, and new business opportunities.
Oversee litigation, claims management, investigations, and dispute resolution matters.
Manage the legal department budget and relationships with external legal counsel to ensure cost-effective delivery of legal services.
Monitor and anticipate emerging legal and regulatory developments affecting higher education, international education, nonprofit organizations, international exchange programs, data privacy, and global operations.

Governance & Board Relations

As Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors, support board operations, including meeting planning and attendance, oversight of governance records and structures, policies, and official corporate actions as well as related committee work.
Advise leadership and the board on best practices in corporate governance, nonprofit compliance, conflicts of interest administration, related-party transactions, corporate policies and procedures, and nonprofit fiduciary obligations.
Ensure governance practices remain aligned with organizational needs and evolving nonprofit laws and standards.

Global Operations Support

Provide legal oversight and guidance related to CIEE's international centers, foreign entities, partnerships, and activities.
Provide legal strategy and compliance for CIEE’s global operations, including study abroad, exchange, and educational programs.
Navigate complex international legal frameworks, including regulatory, immigration, tax, data privacy, employment, and contractual matters.
Monitor and mitigate cross-border risk while enabling program growth and innovation.

Risk Management & Compliance

Lead and oversee enterprise compliance programs and support enterprise risk management initiatives and strategies.
Oversee conflict-of-interest administration and related governance compliance processes.
Promote ethical business practices and a culture of accountability throughout the organization.
Ensure compliance with all relevant U.S. and international laws and regulations.
Support internal investigations and compliance reviews as appropriate.
Assist leadership in navigating geopolitical, regulatory, and operational risks associated with global programming.
Advise on cybersecurity, data privacy, artificial intelligence, technology governance, and related regulatory developments.
Support the development of policies and governance frameworks addressing emerging technologies and digital innovation.
Partner with technology and operational leaders to identify and manage technology-related risks.

Contracts & Transactions

Oversee drafting, review, and negotiation of contracts, partnerships, and strategic agreements.
Advise on corporate transactions, joint ventures, and international partnerships.

Leadership & Operations

Build, lead, and mentor an effective legal team (internal and external counsel).
Manage legal budget and outside counsel relationships.
Promote a culture of legal awareness, ethics, and accountability across the organization.

What you’ll bring:

Required Experience & Credentials

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, including senior leadership roles with significant experience advising boards and executive leadership.
Demonstrated expertise in non-profit governance and compliance, corporate law, risk management, data privacy, cyber-security, and emerging regulatory issues.
Extensive experience with international operations, programs, or global regulatory environments.
Ability to maintain a valid passport and clear background check in connection with international visa requirements.

Core Competencies

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.

Preferred Experience

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

Personal Attributes

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

Why Join CIEE

This is a unique opportunity to shape the legal and governance framework of a globally impactful organization dedicated to advancing international education and cultural exchange. The General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer will play a critical role in enabling CIEE’s mission while safeguarding its integrity and future growth.

CIEE believes that professionals with varied backgrounds bring unique approaches and ideas to solving problems and advancing our mission to bring the world together. Qualified candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Due to federal regulations and CIEE policies, a background check, reference check, and education and employment verification will be conducted as conditions of employment.

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