Head of Legal

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Establish and oversee GiveWell’s legal department, acting as the main legal authority for the organization.

• Formulate a tailored legal strategy to support GiveWell’s growth.

• Collaborate closely with senior Operations leaders, executive management, and the Board.

• Ensure and enhance GiveWell’s compliance across donations, grants, and various jurisdictions.

• Evaluate and mitigate risks in areas such as employment law, data privacy and security, programs and staff travel, intellectual property, contract management, and related fields.

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for the Grants Administration function.

• Offer guidance on intricate or innovative grant structures.

• Manage contracts related to grants, contributions, employment, software, independent contractors, and vendors.

• Create systems, processes, and controls to optimize operational efficiency.

• Update legal administration through the use of technology and tools.

• Collaborate with Research, Outreach, Finance, People, and Tech teams.

• Deliver timely, clear, and actionable internal legal advice.

• Report directly to the COO and supervise the Manager of Grants Administration.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 10 years of legal experience, with substantial in-house exposure.

• Active membership in a state bar in good standing, ideally in California or New York.

• Proven experience in building, leading, and mentoring legal and other professional teams.

• In-depth knowledge of nonprofit and tax-exempt law, data privacy, contract negotiation, international corporate governance and expansion, and employment law.

• Demonstrated success in managing complex legal or compliance initiatives involving cross-functional stakeholder collaboration.

• Strong communication abilities to simplify complex legal matters into clear, actionable advice.

• Good judgment with experience aligning legal advice to practical implications.

• Must be a US-based applicant; GiveWell is unable to sponsor visas.

• Preferred: background in philanthropy, global health, or international development.

• Preferred: experience in managing or collaborating with grants administration, HR, or partnerships.

• Preferred: familiarity with international legal and regulatory frameworks.

• Preferred: experience with legal technology and self-service/automation tools.

• Preferred: experience working with or advising nonprofit boards.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage (100% of premiums paid for you and your dependents within the US).

• Four weeks of paid vacation each year.

• One week of organization-wide closure.

• 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave.

• Ergonomic home office setups or memberships for coworking spaces.

• Automatic contributions of 5% of gross salary into a 403(b) retirement plan for US-based employees.

• Honorarium for completing the candidate exercise.

• Flexible working hours, remote work options, and the choice to work from the office as desired.

• Three annual events: two Visit Week gatherings and one Operations retreat.