Sr. Director Legal, Governance and Compliance

What You'll Do

As the Senior Director of Legal, Governance & Compliance, you will serve as Plan International USA's sole in-house counsel, trusted governance advisor, and compliance lead. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will sit on the Executive Team, providing strategic risk assessment and hands-on legal leadership. In this role, you will navigate complex U.S. regulatory frameworks, protect the organization's high-risk operating environment, oversee enterprise risk monitoring, and manage corporate board governance. Serving as a key bridge between U.S. operations, the Board of Directors, and global federation headquarters, you will balance high-level strategic counsel with a roll-up-your-sleeves execution mindset to enable mission-critical growth.

Key Responsibilities

Legal & Regulatory Oversight

• Serve as the sole in-house counsel for the organization, offering strategic guidance to the CEO and senior leadership on ongoing operational and legal matters
• Provide expert counsel on 501(c)(3) tax law, federal and state charitable regulations, charitable solicitations, lobbying restrictions, and donor compliance
• Manage external legal counsel engagements, serving as the single point of contact and ensuring cost-effective use of specialized outside resources

Compliance, U.S. Government Awards & Risk Management

• Act as the legal and compliance lead for U.S. government foreign assistance awards, subawards, subcontracts, and federal assistance requirements (Code of Federal Regulations)
• Lead enterprise risk management initiatives, establishing clear standards, monitoring operational risk, and integrating risk discussions into regular leadership agendas
• Maintain and oversee the internal incident reporting log for fraud, safeguarding, and legal allegations, ensuring proper documentation, investigation, and escalation
• Oversee legal compliance for corporate partnerships, marketing, data privacy, and information governance

Contracts & Operations

• Draft, revise, and negotiate contracts across teams, serving as the formal approver for contracts over $30,000 via the contract management system
• Maintain a business-minded approach to legal review, translating complex legal context into actionable risk assessments that enable fundraising and strategic goals

Board Governance & Executive Leadership

• Perform the duties of Assistant Corporate Secretary, serving as a trusted advisor to the Board Chair, CEO, and committee chairs on governance best practices
• Professionalize board operations by managing committee workplans, board member recruitment processes, standing policies, and updates to Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
• Prepare agendas, attend all board and committee meetings, frame precise resolutions, and oversee accurate minute-taking and official record retention
• Direct the Executive Assistant in executing board-related meeting logistics and administrative support

Federation Relations & Team Leadership

• Partner with Plan International's Global Headquarters legal and partnership teams to navigate member agreements, global data sharing, and complex international partner dynamics
• Directly supervise the Compliance Manager, fostering a collaborative, hands-on, and mission-aligned team culture

Who You'll Work With

You will report to the Chief Executive Officer and sit on the Executive Leadership Team.

You will supervise the Compliance Manager.

You will frequently collaborate with the Board of Directors, Board Chair, and committee chairs to facilitate governance, recruitment, and board work plans; the Executive Team leaders (including Strategy, Finance, Development, and Programs) to assess operational risk and enable strategic fundraising initiatives; Plan International Global Headquarters legal and partnership teams to maintain federation alignment; and the Executive Assistant on board meeting administration and logistics.

• 7+ years of legal experience, with at least 3 years in-house or at a law firm serving non-profit organizations
• Deep technical knowledge of 501(c)(3) regulations, state/federal charitable solicitation laws, and non-profit tax compliance
• Direct experience with U.S. government foreign assistance awards, federal grants, cooperative agreements, subawards, and federal procurement rules
• Proven track record advising executive leadership and a Board of Directors, managing committee processes, drafting corporate resolutions, and supporting board recruitment
• Experience navigating complex federated, membership, or matrixed organizational structures (or transferable experience in complex, multi-entity environments)
• A self-motivated "doer" who balances high-level strategic advisory skills with an eagerness to roll up their sleeves and execute day-to-day legal tasks
• Outstanding communication, cross-functional collaboration, and problem-solving skills; comfortable balancing legal compliance with strategic organizational growth
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited law school with active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar

Compensation

The compensation for the role is $200,000. Plan International USA offers a comprehensive total compensation package inclusive of health benefits, paid time off (PTO), sick leave, and retirement plan contributions. We take several factors into account when determining salary offers, including candidate qualifications and experience, and internal equity.

Location

Plan International USA employees must reside in one of the following states: Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Plan International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, or current employment status.