[Remote] Director, Legal, Compliance & Risk

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Pure Earth is an international nonprofit working to prevent exposure to lead and other toxins. The Director, Legal, Compliance & Risk manages legal, compliance, and risk functions, providing strategic guidance and operational support to ensure compliance and protect the organization’s interests.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for full life cycle of legal entity management, from set up of legal operations in new countries through scheduled wind down or closing inactive entities
• Ensure Pure Earth maintains full compliance with all legal obligations, bylaws, and regulatory requirements across all of its entities (HQ and overseas)
• Conduct comprehensive compliance assessments to identify gaps and areas of concern
• Review and update organizational policies and procedures to maintain compliance with evolving regulations
• Manage legal entities and corporate documentation for all Pure Earth entities
• Conduct risk assessments to identify potential legal, compliance, and operational risks
• Lead legal aspects of incident investigations and manage required regulatory notifications
• Partner with leadership to identify and prioritize organizational risks
• Support development of a practical, fit-for-purpose risk management approach
• Serve as legal lead during crisis events, coordinating with insurers, brokers, outside counsel, and support mitigation planning
• Manage the organization’s global and country relevant insurance portfolios, including D&O, general liability, cyber, workers compensation, and program specific coverage
• Lead annual policy renewals, broker relationships and claims management
• Responsible for end-to end contract lifecycle including drafting, review, execution, renewal and close out for HQ and Overseas offices and ensure consistency across organization
• Oversee corporate engagement policy and ensure appropriate legal documentation of partnerships and agreements
• Manage all trademark registrations and monitor trademark protection (8-year renewal cycle and ongoing management set to renew in 2033)
• Maintain and manage the organization contract repository in collaboration with Finance and Grants Management
• Drive continuous improvement of contract management systems, templates and workflows
• Develop and conduct training programs on legal and compliance matters for staff and leadership
• Provide legal guidance on employment-related matters in partnership with the HR function
• Advise executives and staff on legal implications of business decisions and strategic initiatives
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Program teams to implement compliance initiatives
• Conduct legal audits to assess compliance with policies, procedures, and legal requirements, including privacy, data management
• Issue recommendations based on audit findings, oversee their implementation and track remediation efforts
• Ensure proper procedures are followed across legal and risk management functions

Skills

• Applicants should have experience setting up and improving organization-wide initiatives, introducing and rolling out changes and improvements in a variety of operational functions
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent legal qualification required or equivalent combination of education and professional experience
• 8-12+ years (global/multi-entity required) years of legal and/or risk management experience in a corporate, non-profit, or in-house counsel setting
• Relevant international experience
• Strong knowledge of compliance, regulatory, and risk management principles
• Excellent written and verbal communication and change management skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively
• Proficiency with legal research tools, contract management, and standard MS365 office applications (including SharePoint, MS Teams, MS Planner)
• Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Ability to identify complex legal issues and develop strategic solutions
• Attention to Detail: Precision in legal documents, contracts, and compliance matters
• Communication: Clear articulation of legal concepts to non-legal audiences
• Organization & Project Management: Ability to manage multiple audits, reviews, and initiatives simultaneously
• Risk Awareness: Proactive identification and mitigation of potential organizational risks
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with executive leadership and across departments
• Professional Integrity: Commitment to ethical conduct and confidentiality
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country where the role is based
• Admission to practice law in at least one jurisdiction preferred
• Experience in the international non-profit or NGO sector
• Familiarity with environmental or sustainability-related regulations
• Experience managing international legal and compliance matters
• Knowledge of intellectual property management procedures
• Experience developing training programs and conducting workplace trainings
• New York City preferred

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid holidays
• Paid sick time
• Paid parental leave
• 401(k) plan participation
• Life and disability insurance
• New York City area employees follow a hybrid schedule, working in the NYC office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the option of working remotely on other weekdays.

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