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Transcend · 3 days ago

Partner, Legal (General Counsel)

United States

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

10+ years exp

Transcend is a national nonprofit dedicated to reimagining and redesigning schools for the future. They are seeking their first in-house General Counsel to develop the organization’s legal framework, covering contracts, compliance, and risk management while serving as a trusted advisor to the team.

EducationHigher EducationKnowledge ManagementNon Profit

Responsibilities

Shape and lead the next generation of our contract and grant management systems

Design and implement tailored templates, processes, and tools that meet today’s business needs and anticipate future growth

Draft, review, and negotiate agreements with contractors, vendors, funders, and partners

Partner with the Finance team to review and manage grant agreements, supporting compliance while empowering staff to deliver confidently

Serve as a key advisor on employment and people matters across a multi-state workforce

Monitor and interpret legal and regulatory developments affecting employment and HR practices

Continuously strengthen policies and procedures in close partnership with key stakeholders to reflect best practices and mitigate risk

Serve as a thought partner across a wide range of employment-related topics

Advance priority initiatives that strengthen our legal and risk infrastructure

Conduct legal research, conduct overall analysis, and produce strong content to inform and support sound decision-making

Serve as a strategic partner to leaders across the organization to embed legal and risk considerations into major organizational decisions

Steward teams through legal processes by designing and improving tools that translate legal concepts into accessible, actionable guidance so teams can proactively navigate legal needs

Support the ongoing health of our nonprofit governance and regulatory frameworks

Maintain bylaws, board governance, and nonprofit compliance requirements

Manage state, federal, and local filings and registrations (i.e. nonprofit filings, federal and state IP filings, tax-exempt filings, etc.) in partnership with relevant teams and stakeholders

Champion a proactive and strategic approach to managing risk

Develop and oversee the organization’s insurance strategy and coverage portfolio

Anticipate legal and operational risks and craft pragmatic solutions that enable innovation and growth

Strengthen enterprise risk management systems to ensure long-term resilience

Qualification

Juris Doctor (JD)Legal experienceContracts negotiationEmployment lawNonprofit governanceRisk managementAnalytical fluencyLegal tools familiarityCollaborationWritten communication

Required

Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school and active bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (or eligible for in-house counsel registration where applicable)

10+ years of legal experience, combining law firm training with in-house work in the nonprofit or education sectors

Experience leading in-house work and managing outside counsel as needed

Experience drafting and negotiating contracts, including navigating IP and licensing

Familiarity with employment law and the biggest areas for ongoing consideration

Familiarity with researching and understanding government regulations and compliance requirements across a broad range of sources, including federal and state agencies

Demonstrated experience in acquiring and deepening technical expertise across new areas of law

A track record of translating complex legal and compliance concepts into clear, practical guidance that empowers non-legal teams

Awareness of existing and emerging issues in technology, data privacy (including FERPA in schools), and AI, and ability to integrate those considerations into contracts, policies, and risk strategy

A strong collaborator who balances expertise with inclusion and operates with the highest degree of discretion while working with a wide variety of stakeholders

A strong written and verbal communicator with the ability to bring clarity and nuance to complex issues and translate federal, state, and international legal frameworks into actionable guidance and team capacity-building support

Demonstrated ability to anticipate risks, assess options, and offer pragmatic solutions that balance legal protection with organizational agility and innovation

Utilize analytical fluency to gather, synthesize, and apply complex information to shape organizational strategy

Interest in or familiarity with using and integrating legal tools and platforms (e.g., DocuSign) to improve workflows

Deep alignment with Transcend's mission and values, and genuine excitement to contribute to a forward-looking team driving innovation in education

Excited to build and shape the next chapter of this function by refining what exists, building what's needed next, and delivering reliably on daily legal responsibilities

Energized by operating at both strategic and executional levels—designing systems while engaging directly in the day-to-day legal work that sustains them

Lifelong learner who holds curiosity and humility towards learning about new legal, educational, and social areas and brings this orientation to daily work

Relationship-driven leader, grounded in integrity, judgment, and trust

Thrives in ambiguity and brings clarity and structure to evolving contexts—able to make sound, timely decisions even when the path isn't fully defined

Culturally attuned and context-aware, able to interpret the nuances of work across a range of communities, funders, and educational environments

Excited to build and shape the next chapter of this function by refining what exists, building what's needed next, and delivering reliably on daily legal responsibilities